Prehistoric Gardens


Twelve miles south of Port Orford, kids will scream at the sight of a Tyrannosaurus rex in front of this dinosaur park. Life-size replicas of the extinct beasties are set in a lush, first-growth temperate rainforest; the huge ferns and trees set the right mood for going back in time. Family-run for nearly 60 years.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Humbug Mountain State Park

5.04 MILES

Six miles south of Port Orford, mountains edge down to the ocean, and the heavily wooded Humbug Mountain rises 1750ft from the surf. When European…

2. Lifeboat Station Museum

10.42 MILES

This 1934 building was home to members of the area's US Coast Guard 'surfmen,' who were in charge of search and rescue along this stretch of coastline – a…

3. Port Orford Heads State Park

10.44 MILES

A short drive along Coast Guard Rd leads to this state park, which has the best location in town. A couple of 20-minute loop trails offer fine panoramic…

5. Cape Blanco State Park

17.25 MILES

Nine miles north of Port Orford, this rugged promontory is the second-most-westerly point of the continental US and host to a fine state park with hiking…

6. Hughes House

17.34 MILES

This huge, elaborate, nicely restored Victorian home was built in 1898 by Patrick Hughes, an Irish dairy rancher and gold miner who settled the area.

7. Cape Blanco Lighthouse

17.49 MILES

This lighthouse, built in 1870, is the oldest and highest operational lighthouse in Oregon. There's an informative visitor center, plus tours that let you…

8. Cape Sebastian State Park

20.06 MILES

The coast around Gold Beach is spectacular. Take a break at Cape Sebastian State Park, a rocky headland 7 miles south, for a panorama stretching from…