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Overland route83 midifficulty: easy

Rogue-Coquille Scenic Byway (FR 33)

RegionOregonAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Rogue-Coquille Scenic Byway (FR 33) — overland route near Gold Beach, Oregon, Oregon
Photo by Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
83mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
Standard high-clearance vehicle. Most of the route is paved; the central 10 miles between Agness and Powers is gravel with narrow single-lane sections.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Reliable in Gold Beach, Powers, and Myrtle Point; gone for most of the central forest segment.
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The Rogue-Coquille Scenic Byway is an 83-mile route that leaves the Pacific at Gold Beach, climbs the Rogue River canyon to Agness, crosses the Siskiyou crest on Forest Road 33, and follows the South Fork Coquille River out to Myrtle Point. The byway combines OR-595 (Jerry's Flat Road), Forest Road 33, and county road segments through the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest's Powers Ranger District.

Most of the route is paved, but a 10-mile central segment between Agness and Powers crosses Agness Pass at 2,355 feet on graveled Forest Road 33 with narrow single-lane sections. The byway connects to the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway at Gold Beach and to OR-42 at Myrtle Point.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Gravel central segment. 10 miles between Agness and Powers is graveled FR 33 with narrow single-lane sections. Yield to oncoming traffic at pinches.
  • Winter conditions. The Forest Service does not maintain FR 33 for snow and ice. Gravel gets greasy in heavy rain.
  • Wildlife. Black bear, deer, and Roosevelt elk common throughout. Watch for elk on the Coquille corridor at dawn and dusk.
  • Logging trucks. Active timber harvest in surrounding units; expect log truck traffic on weekdays.
  • Cell service gaps. Service drops east of Gold Beach and stays gone until Powers.

Location

83 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 42.880, -124.050

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townGold Beach, Oregon
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r06/rogue-siskiyou/recreation/opportunities/scenic-drives
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb
Approx. location42.880, -124.050

Getting there

Directions

From Gold Beach (west entrance). Take US-101 to Gold Beach. Turn east on Jerry's Flat Road (FR 33 / OR-595), signed for the byway and Agness. The road follows the Rogue River canyon east.

From Myrtle Point (east entrance). Take OR-42 to Myrtle Point. Turn south on the Coquille-Powers Highway, signed for Powers and the byway.

Photos

3 photos

Photos · 3

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway runs east from Gold Beach on US-101, follows the lower Rogue River canyon to Agness, climbs over Agness Pass on FR 33 through the Siskiyou crest, and drops down the South Fork Coquille River through Powers and Myrtle Point. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest's Powers Ranger District manages the central segment. The route's signature feature is the old-growth Port Orford cedar and Douglas fir corridor along FR 33.

Trail Overview

Eighty-three miles point-to-point. The pavement is two-lane state highway and county road on both ends. The 10-mile central gravel section across Agness Pass is the route's overland character: narrow, single-lane in places, and slow. The Forest Service grades it but does not maintain it for snow.

Most drivers run it east-west from Gold Beach for the climb out of the river canyon and the descent down the Coquille toward the coast.

Points of Interest

  • Lobster Creek. Forest Service campground and bridge crossing near the byway's west end.
  • Agness. Tiny community at the confluence of the Illinois and Rogue rivers, with the Cougar Lane Lodge and a seasonal post office.
  • Agness Pass (2,355 ft). High point on FR 33, with views into both river drainages.
  • Coquille River Falls. Two-tier 110-foot waterfall on a 3-mile spur (FR 3348) off the byway. Old-growth Douglas fir surrounds.
  • Elk Creek Falls. 120-foot waterfall accessible by a short walk from the parking area.
  • Powers. Small mill town at the byway's east-central segment with the Powers County Park and the South Fork Coquille River corridor.
  • Myrtle Point. Coast Range town at the byway's eastern terminus on OR-42.

Where to Camp

Forest Service campgrounds along the route include Lobster Creek, Quosatana, Powers County Park, Daphne Grove, Myrtle Grove, Island, and Squaw Lake. The eastern segments off FR 33 hold the largest concentration of developed sites. Dispersed camping is allowed on Forest Service land off most spur roads.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • The 10-mile gravel section between Agness and Powers is the byway's slowest segment. Plan extra time and yield on single-lane stretches.
  • Confirm road conditions before driving in winter. The Forest Service does not maintain FR 33 for snow and the gravel section gets greasy in heavy rain.
  • The Coquille River Falls spur adds a 3-mile out-and-back. Worth the detour for the old-growth.
  • Combine with the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway for a longer southern Oregon coast loop.
  • The Powers Ranger District (541-439-6200) holds current road and campground status.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Rogue-Coquille Scenic Byway (FR 33)?
Rogue-Coquille Scenic Byway (FR 33) is rated easy. The route runs 83 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Rogue-Coquille Scenic Byway (FR 33)?
Standard high-clearance vehicle. Most of the route is paved; the central 10 miles between Agness and Powers is gravel with narrow single-lane sections.
When is the best time to visit Rogue-Coquille Scenic Byway (FR 33)?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb.
Is there cell service at Rogue-Coquille Scenic Byway (FR 33)?
Reliable in Gold Beach, Powers, and Myrtle Point; gone for most of the central forest segment.