Botanical Gardens at Shore Acres State Park

Two decades ago, my wife took a family vacation to the Oregon coast. Last week, my wife and I took a couple’s road trip to the same coast. She talked about a beautiful botanical garden we had to visit. We made sure Shore Acres State Park was on our itinerary, and we were so glad the botanical gardens were still around and blooming.

With more than 800 rose bushes, 300 dahlias, hundreds of rhododendrons and thousands of flowering annuals and perennials, the botanical gardens are gorgeous any time of year and provide even more color to the already magnificent Oregon coastline.

Overview of Shore Acres State Park

Shore Acres State Park is one of many Oregon State Parks along the coast. It features amazing views of the ocean from cliffs high above the shoreline. There are some hiking trails, a picnic area and even a beach.

I wouldn’t have expected a beautiful botanical garden to be a major feature of this park. But it’s there and worth the $5 parking fee.

When you first arrive at the park – a short distance from the iconic 101 Coastal Highway – stop at the little guard shack to pay the parking fee. The machine does NOT accept credit cards, so you must have $5 in cash with you.

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Once past the guard shack, you can park anywhere in the loop. There are some picnic tables in the center area, so it’s a great spot to enjoy some lunch. We saw some deer munching on some grass in the area. There’s a restroom, too.

From the parking area, you can hike a trail either direction along the coast. To the south, you can head to Simpson Beach. To the north, you can walk along the shoreline and eventually end up at Sunset Beach. But before you go, be sure and spend some time wandering the gardens and smelling the roses.

NOTE: The botanical garden has a variety of flowers – something is blooming year round. From Thanksgiving to New Years Eve, more than 300,000 holiday lights adorn the trees, gardens and buildings.

Rose Gardens at Shore Acres

Who knew there were so many different types of roses. The names of the roses are pretty unique, too. Ones like Teasing Georgia, Marmalade Skies, Julia Child and Sexy Rexy, to name a few.

When you enter through the main gate (near the gift shop), you’ll find the initial Rose Garden. My wife was bouncing from rose bush to rose bush, smelling each unique smell. To me, most of them smelt the same. But she seemed to find a difference.

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West of the Rose Garden are two other rose areas – the Old Garden Roses and the rose pergola.

The far south end of the botanical garden is the South Rose Garden. There are multiple rows of roses. You’ll find the entrance to this rose garden to the left of the Oriental Garden & Lily Pond.

Buildings and the Formal Garden

Louis J. Simpson built a luxurious private estate in what is now Shore Acres State Park. The gardens were part of the estate back then, and are continued today, even though the mansion was razed after deteriorating and falling into disrepair.

Today, there is a garden house and pavilion (large gazebo) inside the botanical garden. You can look inside the furnished building, but to my understanding, you can’t go inside. However, be sure and enjoy the flowers surrounding the house. And maybe even do a little waltz in the gazebo.

The formal gardens are about twice the size of the north Rose Garden. It includes a variety of flowers, and many were in bloom during out early July visit. While I’m not a botanist and am not familiar with the names of all the flowers, there are signs that can help you know the names of the flowers you’re looking at.

Oriental Garden and Lily Pond

At the far end of the garden you’ll find a Japanese-style garden built around a 100-foot lily pond. Part of the surface is covered in blooming lily pads, Surrounding the pond is a small path so you can enjoy a stroll around it.

There are several flowers, and one plant has leaves that are probably about two feet across. They were massive. Along one part of the path is a small bench, which makes a great spot to stop and enjoy the beauty of the garden.

I half expected to see fish in the pond, but maybe the Oregon weather isn’t conducive to that. Regardless, the Oriental Garden and pond are another beautiful spot in the botanical gardens at Shore Acres State Park in Oregon.

The Details

Address: Located along the Cape Arago Highway, a short jaunt off of the 101 Coastal Scenic Highway.

Cost: $5 parking fee. No added fees to visit the garden, beach or hiking trails.

Hours: Open for day use – no overnight camping is available.

Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=68

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