Circles in the Sand at the Oregon Coast

I always like to plan one of the trips to the Oregon Coast, only a few hours away from Portland, during the minus tides (low tides so low that it is measured negatively on the tide charts), and last year a photographer we talked to briefly while visiting the Neskowin Ghost Forest I posted about last year shared recommended Bandon for the minus tides. This year the Strawberry Supermoon also coincided with minus tide (in this case -2.5 feet in Bandon) and having it juxtaposition a 8.26 feet high tide, and a 12 foot swing high to low in the span of seven hours, sealed the deal for our Bandon trip. We visited the area for 4 days (staying 3 nights), which also gave us time to experience other southern Oregon coast activities. I will share a few posts on that, and this first one starts out with Circles in the Sand at the Oregon Coast.

Bandon, Oregon Coast

• Circles in the Sand at the Oregon Coast – this post
• Sunrise and Moonset at Face Rock Viewpoint
• Sunset at Coquille Point
• Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor
• Art and Eats in Bandon

Did you know about Circles in the Sand on the Oregon Coast? Usually drawn at Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint in Bandon Oregon, this free labyrinth was inspired by founder Denny Dyke’s walking meditations. Now in its 8th season in 2022, each labyrinth or what they also call “dreamfield” are available only until the tide comes in. Each labyrinth is unique, drawn freehand and organically. I was able to visit the two different days of June 16 and 17th. They are created by Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint. Here’s a glimpse of some of the sand art.

I particularly enjoyed taking photos of some of the sand art with Face Rock and the Cat and Kittens rock formations in the background. Can you see the face – it is an upturned face of an Indian princess, so goes the legend, with her hair flowing on the left side downward. To the right some call those scatterings of rocks together the Cat and Kittens, which were with the princess when she became trapped by the sea.

Other times, I faced Wizards Hat Rock (if you look one way) or from another direction, the rock is also called Komax and/or howling dog for the way it looks like the princess’ dog with its head back howling up at the sky. Can you spot it below? It’s in the middle of the first photo, and slightly off center towards the right in the other photos.

If you want to check out the Circles in the Sand at the Oregon Coast, check out their schedule – each has a date and also a time listed for when the “the Draw” is complete and ready for visitors to walk. If you want to watch them during the creation process, or be one of the volunteers they take to assist them, they usually start 2 hours before the listed time for the walk to start the painstaking drawing of paths and raking patterns.

Every walk is free to visit and you have a chance to walk the whole labyrinth path, which takes 20-30 minutes. There is one meandering path throughout the labyrinth so no worries about not knowing where to turn – you follow the only path there is through the switchbacks and spirals. Dogs are allowed to walk the maze with you as long as they are leashed. The path is wide enough for feet or paws, single file.

For 2022, they say that their overarching theme is love. Each labyrinth also has a specific theme which range from ocean to celestial to zen.

Finding some of the additional decor for the maze they brought in, ranging from shells, rocks, driftwood, kelp, to glass floats, within the labyrinths felt like finding treasures. They also incorporate some of the existing rocks that are on the beach.

Face Rock Viewpoint is extremely popular as a viewpoint even without the draw of the Circles in the Sand, so the parking lot may be full. They have volunteers who assist with this so you won’t have to waste time circling – they will mark the parking lot full and direct you to park along the street if this is the case. There is also a free shuttle service that they offered by the City of Bandon from the Bandon Community Center that loops every 15 minutes. If you go when they start the work (whatever their stated time) they give a little speech overview before opening the maze up officially for walking.

I recommend at the cliff overlooking the beach to initially walk towards the right (the same side as the public restrooms) to see the labyrinth from above. Then walk towards the left side of the viewpoint to find the stairs that take you down to the beach. You can see in the vertical photo below the cliff’s view of the maze. If you want to read about the legend of the Indian Princess, you can also find a marker here or read an even longer detailed form at the Bandon Guide here. I won’t repeat it here because after visiting a few national parks I’m getting tired of the pattern of misogyny in these Indian tales

Before the labyrinth, you can also find a dedication circle where you are invited to walk in and write a dedication to anyone in your thoughts, or to share love with other visitors.

I hope you have a chance to see the Circles in the Sand yourself! Have you been before?

Bandon, Oregon Coast Travel Series

• Circles in the Sand at the Oregon Coast – this post
• Sunrise and Moonset at Face Rock Viewpoint
• Sunset at Coquille Point
• Easy Guide to Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor
• Art and Eats in Bandon