A Complete Guide to Visiting the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
PLANNING A VISIT TO OREGON DUNES NATIONAL RECREATION AREA?
We can help! We’ve been traveling the Pacific Northwest since 2011 and have spent a lot of time on the Oregon Coast. We highly recommend you spend some time at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, it’s so much fun!
We have created this comprehensive guide to the three off-highway sand dunes in Oregon so you can know all about the dunes. Our guide explains where to go and where not to go with your SXS, RZR, ATV, or motorcycle. We will also tell you the best places to go hiking.
The Oregon Coast sand dunes are some of the best things to do along the Oregon coast. Whether you bring your own off-road vehicles, rent one, or take a tour from one of the amazing tours available, you will have loads of fun.
Where is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area?
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area covers just over 40 miles from Florence, Oregon to Coos Bay, Oregon. If you are looking to ride your side-by-side or motorized vehicle on the sand dunes on the Oregon Coast and want to know where to go, we have you coved.
The South Jetty and Siltcoos Staging Area is going to be the best staging area at the Florence Dunes in Oregon and the most north dune you will visit. You can find the map here.
The next dune area going south is going to be the Umpqua Dunes Area. You can find the map of the Umpqua dunes here. There is no access here to ride along the beach here.
The South OHV Riding Area is going to be your Coos Bay Sand Dunes and your most south Oregon Dunes. You can find a map of the dunes here.
Continue reading for more information and maps to help you navigate the area.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Map
There are multiple different maps of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Areas. Depending on where you will be riding or hiking will determine the map that is right for you.
You can find maps for the three dune areas below:
- North OHV Area – Florence, Oregon
- Middle OHV Area – Winchester Bay, Oregon
- South OHV Area – Coos Bay, Oregon
OHV Access and Riding Areas
When riding your off-highway vehicle in Oregon, you will need to ride from an OHV access or a campground that is close enough to the access points because you cannot ride your off-highway vehicle on the roads in Oregon.
North OHV Riding Area – Siltcoos to South Jetty
This OHV riding area is the closest to Florence, Oregon. There are multiple staging areas and campgrounds in this North OHV Riding Area. This area is fun because you can ride on the beach for almost the entire length of the sand dunes. My kids love riding along the beach because we get out and play in the sand and they get to help drive on the beach.
The South Jetty Staging Area and Goose Pasture Staging Area are your best staging areas for this section of sand dunes. The north part of the dunes are better than the south half of the dunes.
The Siltcoos Beach Staging Area is at the South end of the Florence Sand Dunes and is a great place to start to ride the trails and the beach. This staging area is not directly on the sand. It leads directly on the trails.
We do not like the sand dune area closest to the Siltcoos staging area as much. They are very unpredictable. You will have long flat stretches but as you get further in there are lots of sudden drops and dunes that are not as fun to ride.
When we started at the Siltcoos area we ended up driving to the north end of the dunes because we enjoyed the riding there. The Siltcoos staging area is not as crowded and the dunes close to it are also less crowded because it is a less favorable riding area.
Middle OHV Riding Area – Umpqua Dunes
The middle OHV riding area is the best sand dunes in Oregon if you do not care about riding on the beach. This area has great hill climbs and a vast area of great dunes. You will find excellent bowls and a little bit of everything.
You have two main staging areas here unless you are staying at Winchester Bay and nearby campgrounds where you can ride your Can Am, Polaris RZR, or other off-highway vehicles to the dunes directly from the campgrounds.
The #2 Staging Area is close to a fun hill climb where people will sit and watch or try their hand at climbing Banshee Hill.
The #3 Staging Area puts you into the middle of the dunes, where you have a very wide-open area to start exploring the amazing Oregon Sand Dunes.
South OHV Riding Area – Horsfall – Sprinreel
The South OHV area is close to Coos Bay, Oregon. The Coos Bay sand dunes have some really fun places to ride and some of the best views of the Coos Bay bridge and ocean. The staging area here is really well done, with Spinreel rentals being very close by.
If you have not rented a RZR to ride on the dunes or taken a tour where your driver drives you in a sandy buggy or sand rail, you really should take the opportunity to do so at least one time.
We were approached on a couple of occasions where individuals who rented a RZR to ride the dunes stopped to talked to us asking about our RZR and expressed how much fun they had and how they can now see why people get into it.
The Horsfall and Bull Run staging areas are to the South of the Coos Bay sand dunes and are split between two lakes. The Bull Run area is closer to the ocean while the Horsfall area is more east, closer to the lakes.
The Spinreel Staging Area is to the north of the Coos Bay Sand Dunes and is a really nice area to start from. It gives you a little more freedom as the lakes do not get in your way because they are at the south end of the dune.
The South OHV area has a large area where you can ride on the beach but you must take a trail to get there because there is a dune area between the beach and the dune that is not open to OHV riders. We would spend an hour or two riding the dunes. Then ride this trail down to the beach where our kids got to play.
Oregon Sand Dune Riding tips
There are a few things to keep in mind when riding on the sand dunes in Oregon. We would first stop at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Visitor center to pick up a map and ask them questions if you are unsure about what you need.
However, below is some more helpful information you will need to know before you go.
The best time to ride the sand dunes is in the mornings. Riding in the mornings allows for the maximum shadows to appear on the sand dunes. In the middle of the day when the sun is directly above the dunes it makes it hard to see the changes in elevation in the sand.
The sand can look flat when in reality it is not. It is easier to see the changes in elevation when there are shadows.
Hiking Areas
The Oregon Sand Dunes are not only a good place to go ride your ATV but they are also a great place go hiking. Here are some great trails to explore.
Tahkenitch Dunes Trail
- Distance: 6 miles
- Route Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
The Tahkenitch Dunes Trial is a highly rated hike close to Gardiner, Oregon. This is a moderate trail that takes you through the sand dunes. It is 6 miles long with 700 feet of elevation gain. This will give you a bit of a workout because you have some area where you will hike on the sand. The first bit of the trail is forested, and then it goes into the dunes.
A lot of people do this hike to see the Pacific Ocean but the trail itself is very beautiful. Most people recommend hiking this trail clockwise because you avoid a significant uphill climb towards the end of the hike.
A lot of people prefer to hike the hill in the beginning, so on your way back to the car, it is a much easier hike. You shouldn’t see a lot of people on this trail in general, which is nice. You can hike this trail with your dog, but between March to September, there is the snowy Plover mating season, and the dogs are not allowed on the beach.
If you are hiking with your dog during those months, there is a cut-off trail so you can avoid the beach with your dog. Make sure to keep some cash when hiking because a lot of the parking requires a parking fee. If you have the America the Beautiful Pass it includes your parking fee.
Bluebill Trail
- Distance: 1.3 mile
- Route Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
The Bluebill Trail is an easy trail that is a 1.3-mile loop. It will most likely take you less than 30 minutes to hike the trail at an average pace. If you are interested in bird watching, we would recommend you bring your binoculars or purchase some here.
Remember to have your America the Beautiful Pass or your NW Forest Pass when parking at this trail. Otherwise, you will need to pay the parking fee. This trail is about half in the dirt and half in the sand. The boardwalk bridge is our favorite part of the hike.
Depending on the time of year, the trail can be a bit marshy or flooded in spots. Take the right trail that goes in the direction of the campground. It takes you to the bridge, so you get the best part if anything is flooded. Your furry friends are allowed on the trail but need to be on a leash.
Bug spray is also recommended as there can be mosquitoes along the hike. You can search for mosquito repellant here.
Horsfall Beach
- Distance: 0.7 miles
- Route Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Easy
This hike is an easy and short hike. It is less than a mile long and generally will only take you about 15 minutes to do the hike. There is only about 25 feet of elevation gain on this hike, making it a fairly flat hike as well.
This is not a super spectacular trail, but if you are looking for an easy beach hike that will work for most everyone, this is worth checking out.
John Dellenback Dunes Trail
- Distance: 5.5 miles
- Route Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
This trail is a 5.5-mile long trail that is a moderate trail but a little easier than the Tahkenitch Dunes Trail because of less elevation gain, but you hike in a lot of sand. The elevation gain is only 300 feet. The trail is open year-round, and your pets are not required to be on a leash for the entire trail.
The trail is somewhat marked with blue-banded posts, making it easy to follow. When hiking this trail and the other longer trails on the Oregon Coast dunes, we recommend bringing a jacket of some sort.
This trail can get windy. Some people report the return loop or the left side of the trail is not marked well. There are not a lot of trees in the beginning. Make sure you bring some sunscreen and the appropriate layers.
This trail will take you through many different terrains, making it a fun trail. Some of the trail can have some water on it depending on the time of year you are hiking. This trail will probably take you a couple of hours at a typical pace. Read more about the trail here.
Oregon Dunes NRA
- Distance: 4.2 miles
- Route Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
The Oregon Dunes NRA is an out an back trail on the Florence sand dunes. The hike is just over 4 miles long and will take about one and a half hours to complete.
Do keep in mind when hiking this very popular area, you can hike and operate an off-highway vehicle. This trail is a little unique because you leave the forested area it opens to cross the sand dunes where there are vehicles so keep an eye out.
This will take you down to the beach access but be careful if you get in the water the current can be strong in this area. We would recommend hiking this trail in the winter months. In the winter, there are fewer ATVs and RZRs riding the dunes.
If there are lots of ATVs in the area, they can make a lot of noise. Once you hit the dunes, you won’t have a laid-out trail, so keep your Google maps open and head in the right direction. The dunes are fun to walk and play on but challenging.
Siltcoos Lake Trail
Distance: 5.3 miles
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
This is a fantastic trail making it a popular hiking trail. You may run into mountain biking and some trail runners, but you should still find it fairly peaceful, given it is just over five miles long.
You should be able to do the trail in about 2-2.5 hours. Your dogs can also be off-leash on sections of the trail.
The trail is fun because it does not just have one huge hill you climb up. It has more of a rolling hill feel to it for most of the trail. There is some discrepancy on how long the trail is. We know some people whose GPS says the trail is closer to 3.5 miles long.
Some nice campsites are available here that can only be reached by hiking, biking, and boat. The campground does have a picnic table.
The trail can get mudding in some spots depending on the weather. The is a really great trail if you are looking for a moderate hike that is not too long. You can read more about the trail here.
Sandboarding the Oregon Dunes
The Florence, Oregon dunes are considered the sandboarding capital of the world. You can ride a sandboard or sled on any of the Oregon dunes in the area, but there is a private sandboarding park that is specifically designed for sandboarding.
Sand Master Park is the first sandboard park in the world, and it is in Florence, Oregon. At SMP, you can take sandboarding lessons from certified instructors. They have everything you need for a great time no matter the sand’s conditions.
If you don’t want to spend the money to go to the Sand Master Park, you can rent a sandboard, sled, or boogie board at many of the area rental shops, and you can take it to any of the nearby dunes.
If you are unsure of the best place to ride the dunes, we recommend the dunes at Honeyman State Park. They are close to the parking area, making your walk a lot shorter than in other areas. If you are not close to Honeyman, ask the rental shop, and they will point to the nearest and best dune area for your sandboarding.
We enjoy sledding on the sand dunes. It is something we often do when we go to the Bruneau Sand Dunes in Idaho.
If you want a really nice sandboarding experience, we would recommend you go to the Sand Master Park. If you just want to try it out and play at the dunes, renting a board and going to Honeyman or any of the other area’s dunes would be a great option.
Beaches in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
If you are interested in going to the beach in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, there are a few spots that are better than others.
You can go to the Siltcoos Beach Staging Area if you are in the Florence area. This is right next to the beach, and the beach is closed to OHV vehicles year-round.
Horsfall Beach is another great beach area. This area is closed to off-highway vehicles year-round, and you can park in the Oregon Dunes day use area or camp at the campground.
These are the two best beach areas if you are not riding an OHV to the beach.
Oregon Dunes Requirements
There are a few things to be aware of if you are going to the sand dunes in Coos Bay, Florence, or the Umpqua dunes.
The first thing is that you must pay to park unless you have the America the Beautiful Pass or the Northwest Forest Pass. The NW Forest Pass can be purchased here along with additional information.
If you are riding an OHV on the dunes or off-roading of any kind, you need to purchase an OHV permit. The OHV permit can be purchased here, along with some more information regarding OHV permits, like where they should be displayed and what states they work in.
One more thing you will need is a flag. A red or orange flag that is 9 feet above the ground must be on any off-highway vehicle when riding on the dunes. You will need a way to mount the flag along with the flag and pole.
It is also required to wear a DOT-approved helmet for anyone who is under the age of 18. While it might not be required if you are older, you do not gain anything by not wearing a helmet. It can be hard to see people even with a flag. Crashes can easily happen. Wearing a helmet is a must.
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Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Rentals
There are multiple rental and tour companies all along the Oregon sand dunes. If you are not bringing your own OHV or want to take a tour be sure to check them out. It is totally worth the cost.
- Spinreel Dune Buggy And ATV Rental
- Riding Dirty Rentals
- Ocean Breeze ATV Rentals
- Dune Bugs ATV Rentals
Dune buggy tours
Hotels near Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Best Western Salbasgeon Inn & Suites
The Best Western Salbasgeon Inn & Suites of Reedsport is very close to the nearby Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area in Reedsport, OR and much more. They are the best-reviewed hotel in the area.
This hotel is close to a lot of fun activities like the Umpqua Discovery Center and Umpqua Lighthouse. They are about a 15-minute drive from the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
▶ Check Rates & Book: Best Western
⭐️ Best Western Reviews (4.0/5 Stars)
Nothing fancy but clean. The staff were super helpful! – Jennifer (Booking Review)
Very nice hotel, super friendly staff. – Dale (Booking Review)
▶ Check Rates & Book: Best Western
How to Get to Best Western
📍 Best Western Address: 1400 Highway 101, Reedsport, OR, 97467 | Google Maps | Book Best Western Now
Seadrift Motel and RV Park
If you are looking for a more economical option, try the Seadrift Motel and RV Park. This is a very clean motel that has been in the area for a while. They offer great motel rooms that are only a one-minute walk to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area as well as William M. Tugman State Park.
This motel also offers RV camping opportunities behind the motel giving you a great option if you are bringing your RV and toys. Make sure to book in advance. This is an area favorite because of the lower prices.
▶ Check Rates & Book: Seadrift Motel and RV Park
⭐️ Seadrift Motel Reviews (3.7/5 Stars)
2 star hotel that exceeded my expectations. Recently updated, clean, with comfortable beds. The bathroom was redone with everything new. – James (Booking Review)
Great Manager (Scott) and his wife keep it clean and friendly. – Michael (Booking Review)
▶ Check Rates & Book: Seadrift Motel and RV Park
How to Get to Seadrift Motel
📍 Seadrift Motel and RV Park Address: 72363 US -101, Lakeside, OR, 97449 | Google Maps | Book Seadrift Motel Now
VRBO And campgrounds
If you are looking to stay at a location where you can drive your ATV or off-highway vehicles from where you are staying onto the dunes, your best option is VRBO or staying at one of the campgrounds. Here are a few great VRBO options that give you direct dune access to the sand dunes.
- Direct Dune Access Sleeps 10 In House, 6 In BunkHouses – Bath Houses
- Dune Riders Dream – Direct Dune Access – 2 Bdr 1 Ba Sleeps 5
Camping near the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
There are so many good camping areas and Oregon Dunes camping around the National Recreation area in Oregon. Many give you direct access to the dunes.
The Horsfall Campground and Staging is a very popular campground in the Siuslaw National Forest. You have great access to the dunes here, and it is close to Coos Bay. Sand camping in the Oregon sand dunes is very popular and can be done at all three of the Oregon area dunes.
In the Florence, the Oregon sand dunes, or the North OHV riding area, you have South Jetty Sand Camping and Siltcoos Sand Camping. There are also lots of great RV parks near Florence, Oregon.
At the Umpqua dunes, or the middle OHV riding area, you have the Umpqua Sand Camping.
In the Coos Bay sand dunes, or the South OHV riding area, you have the Spinreel Sand Camping, Hauser Sand Camping, and Horsfall Sand Camping. You can make your reservations online at recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777. These are great campgrounds if you plan on spending a lot of time at the dunes.
If you are going to be camping on the dunes or driving on the dunes at all we recommend having a good tow strap in case you get stuck. We recommend a kinetic recovery rope. They are the best type of tow rope and make getting unstuck so much easier. You will love these.
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FAQs: Oregon Dunes National recreation Area
How far is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area from Portland, Oregon?
The distance from Portland to the North end of the National Recreation area is 165 miles and will take a little under three hours to drive. Oregon Dunes is definitely one of the most fun day trips from Portland you can take.
How long is the drive from Brookings to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area?
Brookings, Oregon to the Southern Oregon Dunes National Recreation area is about 107 miles and will take you about two hours to get there.
Can you drive on the Oregon Dunes?
Yes, you can drive on the Oregon dunes. If you are going to be driving on the Oregon dunes, you must have a flag and an off-highway permit. Both are easy to purchase and cheap. If you are driving on the dunes, you will want to make sure you lower your tire pressure to get better traction.
Can you drive a jeep on the Oregon Dunes?
Yes, you can drive a jeep on the Oregon Dunes. For more information about the Oregon dunes and the area, go here.
How late can you ride on the Oregon Dunes?
The dune area you are at will determine how late you can ride on the dunes. The North OHV Riding Area (Florence) is 6 am to 10 pm.
The South OHV Riding Area (Coos Bay) is open from 6 am to midnight. The Middle OHV riding Area (Umpqua) is open 24 hours.
Where can I see the Oregon Dunes?
The Oregon dunes are located between Florence, Oregon, and Coos Bay, Oregon. They are about 40 miles long and can be seen right off the highway.
Conclusion: Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
The Oregon Coast and the Oregon sand dunes are definitely some of the best places to visit in North America. There are numerous recreational opportunities in the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area. It is great for OHV enthusiasts and those who want to go horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Oregon’s dunes provide a unique ecosystem for OHV users and buggy rides. It also has some of our favorite places to visit, like a coastal forest and beautiful sea-level beaches.
They have a beautiful spruce forest and many great rivers like the Siltcoos river and the Umpqua river with lots of native plants.
Whether you are there to visit the Southern Oregon Coast and the largest stretch of coastal sand dunes to ride dune buggies or all-terrain vehicles, this popular destination has something for everyone. We love the sand mountains and enjoy the best part of the Siuslaw National Forest.
If you visit the Pacific Northwest for the first time or the hundredth time, you will enjoy all it offers.
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