Bailey Beach, located just a few miles north of the coastal city of Gold Beach, stretches three miles from the Rogue River North Jetty to Otter Point. This extended shoreline offers a perfect playground for rockhounding, beachcombing, picnicking, tidepool exploring, fishing, clamming, and other adventures.

Interestingly, the beach is sometimes incorrectly labeled as "Barley Beach" on certain maps. The correct name, Bailey Beach, comes from the Bailey Ranch, which encompassed a significant portion of the coastal land. The ranch was owned by Irish immigrant Charles H. Bailey and later inherited by his son, Charles Bailey Jr., who played a notable role in local history. Charles Bailey Jr. served as sheriff, county assessor, and Curry County judge, and was the president of a local bank for 20 years.

Visitors can access Bailey Beach through three main points:

Rogue River North Jetty: Located at the southern part of the beach, this access point is open to street-legal vehicles and is popular for rockhounding.
North Bailey Beach Access: The middle point of the beach with short trail from the road.
Otter Point State Recreation Site: The northern part of Bailey Beach is more secluded due to the lack of direct access. Visitors can reach this area via a 0.65-mile hike to the south. Additionally, Agate Beach, to the north, is accessible via a short but steep trail from this site.

Bailey Beach Rockhounding

The Pacific Ocean and the Rogue River, which enters the ocean at the southern end of the beach, create an ideal environment for rockhounding. Various collectible rocks can frequently be found here, with the gold-bearing black sand rich in quartz, agate, jasper, petrified wood, and garnet.

The best spots for rockhounding are at the northern end of the beach, particularly in the coves or the southern part at the Rogue River North Jetty. As you move closer to the Rogue River, your chances of finding larger rocks increase.