Stretching 50 miles from Florence to Coos Bay, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is administered by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service - Oregon, in the Siuslaw National Forest under legislation passed by Congress. The park is part of Siuslaw National Forest and adjoins Honeyman State Park.

The Pacific Ocean on one side, a series of lakes on the other, with a vast beach right in the middle, The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is an amazing place worth visiting. The wind-sculpted sand dunes towering to 500 feet above sea level provide numerous recreational opportunities including off-highway vehicle use, hiking, photography, fishing, canoeing, and horseback, riding and camping. Visitors enjoy thick “tree islands”, open dunes, marsh-like deflation plains and beaches.

Among the features of the NRA are 30 lakes for fishing, swimming and wildlife watching, 14 hiking trails through wetlands, forests and dunes, 13 campgrounds, 11 beach parking areas, nine day use areas, three off-highway riding areas, one overlook and the visitor center in Reedsport with information, interpretive exhibits and an introductory video.

Formed by the ancient forces of wind, water and time, these dunes are like no others in the world. These are the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America and they hold numerous opportunities for adventure and solitude.

The dunes are not made of just sand. There is water, coming down from the mountains, emptying into the ocean and creating marshy estuaries which harbor water birds and amphibians, among many other animals. The snowy plover, an endangered shorebird, counts on the availability of ocean debris, including driftwood, on sand spits near the river mouths, in order to breed. The dunes also have a large variety of different plants species growing in a large number.

A large number of off-highway vehicle riders come to enjoy the delight of riding across these expansive tracks of sand. Three main off-highway vehicle riding areas have been set aside to provide riders with a variety of experiences. There are sand roads and selected rides between South Jetty to the Siltcoos River, small areas with the highest and most dramatic dunes in Umpqua Riding area, and large areas with varied riding opportunities between Spinreel and Horsfall.

This place is also best for hiking lovers. Many trails travel through forest flourishing in Douglas-fir and Sitka spruce. Some trails wind up, over and through sand dunes offering hikers the chance to experience the natural wonder that makes this area unique.

These are the various aspects of The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area which sets it apart for other recreational parks.

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