Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Towering sand dunes—some of the largest in the world—and miles of flat, sandy beaches characterize the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Pounding surf along endless beaches, prolific estuaries, mature conifer forests and cool, fish-filled lakes provide terrific opportunities for camping, hiking and horseback riding, fishing, birding, and yes, designated areas for off-highway vehicles.

As a consequence of a fascinating natural history, the Dunes are where the ocean coast meets the mountain forest. This meeting of diverse life zones creates some intriguing "hot spots" for learning about nature (and some good camp sites, too!).

Hot Spots

East end of the Siltcoos River: Two great campgrounds, lots of wildlife
Umpqua Scenic Dunes: Some of the highest and also prettiest dunes
Horsfall Dunes: A quiet place, open only to hikers and horseback riders

Siltcoos River
The eastern end of the Siltoos River is a beautiful area with ample plant and animal diversity. This area features two very pleasant campgrounds, Waxmyrtle and Lagoon, the Lodgepole picnic area, a river, a lagoon, beaches, wetlands, and a variety of plants and wildlife.

Campers enjoy the quiet and the natural beauty of lush coastal trees and shrubs in the historic Waxmyrtle and Lagoon campgrounds. Both have water, flush toilets, and nearby trails. Large, old shorepine, molded for decades by the wind into unique shapes, are prized by many. Most enjoy the sight of a duck family, a busy beaver, or other critters from a viewing platform over the wetlands surrounding Lagoon campground. Elegant geese on the Siltcoos River or soaring bald eagles at the mouth of the river excite nearly everyone.

Picnic along the river at the intimate Lodgepole Picnic Area. Wet your fishing line. Hike the several area trails or walk miles of isolated beach south of Siltcoos River. Canoe the river. Get that great telephoto close-up of wildlife. Enjoy the beauty of sunset over the estuary and beach. The eastern portion of the Siltcoos Recreation Corridor is the place to be. Access is off Highway 101, 7 miles south of Florence.

Umpqua Scenic Dunes
This area includes the highest and most scenic sand dunes in the Oregon Dunes NRA. A new trailhead to this beautiful area is located along Highway 101 about 1/4 mile north of the southern Lakeside exit. A one-mile loop trail allows the visitor to climb a dune for a spectacular view.

Miles of dunes front the ocean two miles to the west of the viewpoint. The hiker also passes through coastal forest and some unusual and fragile plant communities. Until construction of the new trailhead is complete, use the nearby entrance to Eel Campground to reach a trailhead located on the southern end of this campground.

Horsfall Dunes
More than a thousand acres of open sand dunes, forested peninsulas, wetlands, and dunal ponds await your exploration south of Horsfall Road.

Open only to hikers and horse riders, this area offers a surprising degree of solitude only 10 minutes from Coos Bay and North Bend. Crystal-clear aqua-blue seasonal lakes are a highlight into the early summer. Shifting sand formations and nice views of Horsfall Lake from higher dunes occur year-round. Hikers may elect to explore the Bluebill Lake area via the mile loop trail surrounding this sometimes seasonal lake. Campers can choose from Bluebill or Wild Mare campgrounds. The latter campground is primarily oriented to campers with horses.