Oregon Town the Place to Find Sculptures, Flowers
Driving into any small town the 1st time can be exciting, especially one you know zero about. Reedsport, Oregon was just a name on the map until we arrived. But, this little town? It’s the place to find sculptures, gorgeous flowers, and so much more.
We found that Reedsport sits in a unique place. First, both US-101 (Oregon Coast Highway) and Hwy 38 (Umpqua River Scenic Byway) run through the town. Hwy 38 runs alongside the Umpqua River making for a spectacular drive in itself.
Second, three rivers—Umpqua, Smith, and Schofield Rivers— traverse through and around the town. Lastly, Reedsport has densely forested mountains to the east with sand dunes and ocean to the west.
Our visit was nothing more than a pit stop as we drove toward the coast however, the town impressed us enough to snap a few images while there.
The life-size wood sculpture seemed to welcome us to Reedsport.
Chainsaw Carved Wood Sculptures
The town, already surrounded by natural beauty, greets its visitors with additional delights.
Dotted along Fir Street where we entered Reedsport, we saw multiple, large carved wood sculptures.
Have you ever heard of chainsaw sculpture competitions? Creating a sculpture already sounds incredibly difficult to me. But with a chainsaw? Wow!
If you’re looking for a unique way to spend Father’s Day, head to Reedsport in June. Each year they host the Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Carving Championships. Some of the winners featured in town.
Amazed at the artist's ability to capture the alligator's fearsome jaws and spiny tail.
"Salmon Bench" by Tom Castaneda won the Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Sculpting Championship in 2011.
Hot pink petunias are a perfect contrast to the deep green, dense forests near Reedsport.
The Power of Flowers
Flowers have immense power in spicing up a small town. Just look at the giant balls of hot pink petunias on the lampposts! But Reedsport didn’t stop there—they filled large square brick planters to overflowing with more petunias and other flowers.
I may be an avid gardener but even a non-gardener will take notice of these beauties when pulling into town. Definitely an eye catcher that makes you want to linger a bit.
"Howdy Folks! Welcome to Reedsport!"
Things we Missed that You Should See
Our Oregon coast trip was very last minute and un-researched. Had we been able to spend more than a day driving up the coast, these are some of the other places we might have stopped.
Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area (ODNRA)
Reedsport is the information hub for the ODNRA, the largest sand dunes in the USA. Outdoor enthusiasts? You’ll want to stop here. Also, nearby Winchester Bay holds the “Dune Fest” each August. (I personally prefer my sand with lots of water but from what I have read and seen [photos on the net], the Dunes look beguiling.)
Umpqua River Lighthouse
Located 6-miles south of Reedsport, you find one of Oregon’s 11 lighthouses. Completed in 1894, the 65-foot-tall Umpqua River Lighthouse offers magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean.
The original Fresnel lens with its 616 hand cut prisms make light visible 21-miles out. The unique lens has two-white and one-red pattern lens. It emits both red and white light. FYI, there’s a museum on the park property.
Reedsport Surrounding Area Fun Facts
30 freshwater
lakes and rivers
for fishing
15 hiking trails
within 15 miles
of Reedsport
40-mile stretch
31,000 acres
of sand dunes
Find Sculptures and More During a Reedsport Visit
We did walk a couple blocks and stepped inside a few antique shops. Those we met were friendly and courteous. All in all, we found Reedsport to be a fabulous starting point for our coast drive. Maybe next trip we will hang around longer. There’s plenty more to see in this unique little town.
Although the Umpqua River Scenic Byway ends in Reedsport, beauty continues.
A Brief History of Reedsport
- Began as a camp for men laying Southern Pacific Railroad track
- Homesteaders settled the area beginning in 1852
- Town platted and named around 1900
- Named after Alfred W. Reed, prominent early settler in nearby Gardiner
- First post office established in 1912
- Town incorporated in 1919
- Area has seen both boom and bust over its history
- Commercial fishing, logging, and later, tourism have been key to the town’s economy
- Population per 2020 census was 4,310
Looking for more small towns to explore?
Check out our "Destinations" page for other Worthy Detour stops.
