The Florence dunes are located south of Florence, Oregon and north of Reedsport. In the south of Florence the Mountains move inland. The dunes lie along the coastal area with the estuaries of three main River Valleys connected by two long stretches of sand. The forty miles dunescape can be visited at various points along Highway 101.

There are two directions to the Florence dunes

1. Northern End (South Jetty): Can be travelled via South Jetty Road off of US 101.
2. Southern End (Driftwood II and Siltcoos): can be travelled via Siltcoos Access Road off of US 101.

There are sand road and selected rides between South Jetty to Siltcoos River in the Florence Area. On the west of the location large area are covered with European Beach grass. The whole area of this location is not available for off-highway vehicle use. The east of the area is closed due to noise pollution. The dunes in Florence area are larger than at Coos Bay but smaller than the dunes of Winchester Bay.

An amazing feature of this dune structure is five large “tree islands”. These islands are remnants of old forests that were surrounded by dunes in the olden times. They serve as very good landmarks as you can easily find your way in this area in foggy and dark conditions.

Running parallel to the beach along the west side is a mile long stretch of smooth, wet sand. This area is often called “the drag strip”. This area is primarily known for South Jetty Hills, referred to as the Show-Off Hills by the OHV travelers. An OHV rider can easily find large sand dunes and five tree islands near the riding area boundaries. A Noise Buffer Closure is in place of the eastern boundary. The beach that is adjacent to the riding areas is open to OHV access. This area has a 10 p.m curfew time.

This area has an elevation of 0-200feet. The main camping areas in Florence Dunes are:

1. Driftwood II OHV Campground
It is located 7 miles from Florence on 101.From Florence travel 7 miles south to the Siltcoos beach access road, after that, turn west from Siltcoos Beach access Road and proceed 1.5 miles west to Driftwood II OHV Campground. The dunes access is from Florence (south Jetty to Siltcoos). This location has 68 OHV sites for auto or trailer.

2. Honeyman State Park
Three miles from south of Florence on scenic Highway 101 is the second largest overnight camp in the State. In this area there are two miles of sand dunes between the camp and the ocean. Two natural water lakes can also be found within the park. The sand dune access is from Florence (south Jetty to Siltcoos).

Visit this beautiful area from memorable experience and exciting camping facilities.

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (or NRA) is located on the Oregon Coast, stretching approximately 40 miles north from the Coos River in North Bend, to the Siuslaw River, in Florence. The park is part of Siuslaw National Forest and is administered by the United States Forest Service. The dunes adjoin Honeyman State Park.

Some of the famous trails in or near the Oregon dunes are as Follows:

1. Bluebill Trail # 1331
This trail loops around a seasonal lake. The lake is home to many different species of birds and aquatic animals. Trail surface changes from soft sand and packed material. The trail is 1.5 miles long and is mainly used for hiking.

2. Carter Dunes Trail # 1384
At the interface of the trees and sand, hikers can follow the blue-striped trail post that mark the way over the sand, through the deflation plain and end at the beach. It is 1.5 miles in length and best used for hiking.

3. Threemile Lake # 1338
The trail which is 3 miles long begins in a conifer forest and provides vistas of fresh water lakes, wet areas within the forest and ocean waves. The trail wanders threw a spruce forest with substantial tree size and stops at the serene Threemile Lake and ends at the ocean beach.

4. Threemile South # 1356
It is a rustic trail with large conifer forest surrounding it. It ends at the south end of Threemile Lake. It is 1 mile long and basically used for hiking.

5. Tahkenitch Dunes # 1353
The 2 miles long trail heads out through a mile of conifer forest, opening onto the dunes and views of the ocean. Then re-enters onto a smaller stand of shore pine and ends at the ocean.

6. Siltcoos Lake Loops # 1333
This trail has two loops that meet ½ mile up the trail. The South trail ends at the edge of Siltcoos Lake with one primitive campsite and outhouse. The North trail also ends at the Lake edge and has five primitive campsite and outhouse. A ¾ mile trail connects both trails. This trail is used by mountain bikers and hikers.

7. Tahkenitch Creek Loop # 1334
The trail begins at the junction of the Overlook Beach trail near the west end of the open sand. The contrasts of the evergreen forest, open dunes, wetlands, and ocean beach offer a variety of photo opportunities. It is 2.5 miles long and has Toilets, picnic tables, viewing platforms on-site payment facilities.

8. Tahkenitch Creek Trail # 1336
This trail gives the hiker a choice to do a 1.5 to 2.5 mile loop or if the beach is what you are looking to see then take the 3.5 mile stretch through several types of coastal forests marshes, deflation plains, meadows and view the winding Tahkenitch Creek.

9. Lagoon Loop Trail # 1330
The trail meanders across wooden boardwalks, viewing platforms and paths alongside the Siltcoos River Lagoon. It is 1 mile long and easily used for hiking.

10. Oregon Dunes Overlook # 1334
This 1 mile long trail is paved for the first ½ mile to a viewing area and several picnic sites. From there the trail is not accessible for wheel chairs. The trail then turns and goes down to the open dunes that lead to the beach.

11. Chief T Siltcoos # 1359
This trail can be hiked as a loop or as a destination trail to the Driftwood II Campground. The trail winds up and down through a coastal evergreen forest. A viewing bench is located at a spot that gives the hiker a wide open view from the open sand dunes to the ocean beach.

12. Taylor Dunes Trail # 1335
First ½ mile of this trail is accessible with two view decks and a bench with great vistas of the lake and it has many birds and aquatic animals, sand dunes, marsh-like deflation plains and the ocean.

13. Waxmyrtle Trail # 1337
This trail borders the picturesque Siltcoos River Estuary, and ends at the beach. Outstanding views of the lower estuary, ocean beach.

14. Schuttpelz Lake # 1357
This 1.5 miles trail loops around lake with junctions that go to large forested areas. There are high dunes to climb with a view of the ocean.

These are some very well known trails in and near Oregon Dunes Area.

If you are planning to visit the Oregon National Recreational Area then there are many wonderful places in the dunes for you to explore, so now let us discuss about some of these mesmerizing places.

1. Fore dunes  and endash
The South Jetty Road runs west to the fore dune area. You can reach this place by the Highway 101 that leads south across the Siuslaw River Bridge. This is a well-liked place for off-road vehicles (ORV), and windsurfers are fond of testing the winds off the south jetty.

2. Sandland Adventures
Just two miles south of the Siuslaw Bridge the Sandland offers four-wheel ORV rentals, or a guide will take you on a tour of the dunes. You can also find other enjoyments here like bumper boats, go-carts, and miniature golf.

3. Jessie Honeyman State Park
This 522-acre park which is open all the year around includes three lakes: Woahink, Cleawox, and Lilly. There is a large year-round camping operation, suitable for tents, trailers and RVs, and it includes several yurts. Day-use facilities are based on Cleawox Lake, including rental boats, a store and picnic areas and swimming beaches.

4. Sand Dunes Frontier
This is a commercial “theme park,” which offers open-air bus tours of the dunes, dune buggy rides, and ORV rentals. Also included are miniature golf, a shooting gallery, a nature trail, and the usual refreshment stand.

5. Siltcoos Lake
This alluring small lake lies east of the highway, with camping at Tyee Campground. The small facility is operated by the national recreation area. The short road leads on to the Westlake Post Office and boat ramp.

6. Siltcoos Recreation Area
Siltcoos Recreation Area is a part of national recreational area. On the east side of the highway hiking trails lead to the Siltcoos Lake. There are six walk-in campsites beside the lake. On the west side, the road runs past four campgrounds: Lagoon, Waxmyrtle, Lodgepole, and Driftwood. This is off-road vehicle country and the campgrounds are popular with the dune buggy crowd.

7. Carter Lake Campground
This is another Oregon Dunes NRA campground, more ancient than the state park campgrounds, but suitable for cars and RVs. As with the other NRA campgrounds, this one has trails leading through the dunes.

8. Tahkenitch Lake
The boat ramp is found along the highway, three miles south of the overlook. A half-mile farther south is a medium-size campground and another boat ramp. This is a popular stop for anglers, but there is no drinking water at the campground. A larger campground is located across Highway 101, operated by the Oregon Dunes NRA, including a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier.

These are some of the main attractions of Oregon Dunes, which are explored by visitors through out the year.

Coos Bay is an S-shaped inlet, approximately 16 km long and 3 km wide, on the Pacific Ocean coast of southwestern Oregon in the United States. The city of Coos Bay, once named Marshfield, was renamed for the bay and is located on its inner side. The Port of Coos Bay is the largest and deepest port between San Francisco, California and the Columbia River.

Coos Bay is located in northern Coos County. Other communities on the bay include North Bend and Charleston. The Coos River, which begins in the Coast Range, enters the bay from the east. The bay and the communities along it are an important port region for Oregon, with timber from the surrounding forests being one of the major products shipped from the area.

Description of Coos Bay
The Coos Bay is the largest riding area at the Oregon dunes and it stretches from Spinreel Campground and Horsfall Road. A few miles from North Bend this road travels to Horsfall dunes and a beach. One other entrance is Hauser Sand Road which links the Horsfall dunes to the beach. If you are looking for adventurous and fun filled activities then this place is surely suitable for you.

Activities
You can very easily find dunes and forests with varied wildlife in this riding area. The beach admission is best for people who want to experience a ride along the shore. This area has a mid-night curfew. This area also has Forest Service Campgrounds with sand access in Spinreel, Horsfall and Horsfall Beach. An over all camping area is opened at Hauser during memorial, 4th of July and Labor Day weekends. The private Oregon Dunes KOA Campgrounds near Hauser provides sand entrance to OHVs.

Two private rental companies Far West and Spinreel Rentals provide ATV rental tours to the visitors. The elevation of this place is 0-200feet.

The main camping areas are

1. Spinreel OHV
It is located 11 miles south of Reedsport on Spinreel Road in Coos County, Oregon. It provides 36 tents, auto and trailer sites. The dune access is from Coos Bay (Horsfall to Spinreel).

2. Oregon Dunes KOA
The Oregon dune KOA is a very delightful site. All sites in this area have a good size, water, TV, electric, sewer hookups. Cabins and tents are also available for those who do not have an RV.

3. Horsfall OHV
It is located 1.5 miles north of North Bend, Oregon. It has 70 OHV sites and the dune access is from Coos Bay (Horsfall to Spinreel).

So, visit Coos Bay to spend an enjoyable and exiting time with your friends and family.

The Oregon Dunes State Park and Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area are among the most unique features of the Oregon coast. Located near the gorgeous coast, the sand dunes in Oregon are a preferred tourist spot because of the wide variety of recreational activities available and the unexpected attractiveness of the dunes.

Here we will mainly discuss about the campgrounds in or near Oregon Dunes.

1. Driftwood II OHV Campground
They are 7 miles south of Florence on Highway 101.The facilities here are 68 OHV sites for auto or trailer, Potable drinking water, flush toilets, showers, garbage containers, fire rings and tables. The campgrounds are surrounded by shorepine, waxmyrtle, huckleberry and salal.

2. Horsfall OHV Campground
It is situated 1.5 miles north of North Bend, Oregon. Campground is an OHV site located in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area in Coos County. The adjoining day use area offers flush bathrooms, fire rings, recycle center, tables, garbage containers and loading/unloading ramp. There are 70 OHV sites in this area.

3. Horsfall Beach OHV Campground
This campground is located in the dunes next to the beach and Pacific Ocean. OHV access and beachcombing are popular activities. Showers are available 2 miles east at Horsfall Campground. The facilities are 35 trailer, auto, OHV sites, Potable drinking water, flush toilets, garbage containers, fire rings and tables at sites on outer perimeter of campground.

4. Spinreel OHV Campground
It is located 11 miles south of Reedsport on Spinreel Road in Coos County, Oregon. Spinreel campground is an OHV campground located next to the Oregon Dunes along Tenmile Creek in Coos County. Sites vary in length and privacy. It has 36 tent, auto, trailer sites, Potable drinking water, flush toilets, garbage containers, fire rings, recycle center, tables, OHV camping and fishing.

5. Bluebill Campground
It is Situated 1.5 miles north of North Bend, Oregon. Campground is located in shorepine, waxmyrtle and huckleberry near Bluebill Lake. Bluebill Trail is a one mile loop around the Lake. Nearby Bluebill Trailhead day use area allows parking to access trail. Activities include camping, fishing, hiking and bird watching.

6. Carter Lake Campground
It is located south of Florence, Oregon on highway 101. Carter Lake Campground is located between Carter Lake and the Oregon Dunes. It has 23 sites and restroom facilities. The activities enjoyed by the people are Camping, fishing and hiking.

7. Eel Creek Campground
Campground is located in the Oregon Dunes, south of Reedsport on highway 101 near Eel Creek. The Umpqua Dunes Trail has access to the dunes and beach. It has 52 sites and activities are Camping and hiking.

8. Lagoon Campground
Campground is located near the Siltcoos River in shorepine and huckleberry. 9 sites are pull-through type. Lagoon trail surrounds the campground and is 1 mile in length. Just .25 miles from campground is Stagecoach Trail. It has 39 tent, auto, and trailer. The facilities are Potable drinking water, flush toilets, garbage containers, fire rings; recycle center, tables and beach access.

9. Tahkenitch Campground
It is located north of Reedsport on highway 101. Campground is situated among large Douglas-fir trees. Tahkenitch/Threemile Lake Trailhead is located in adjoining day use area. There are 34 sites and activities here are Camping, hiking, picnicking and bird watching.

10. Tahkenitch Landing Campground
It is located north of Reedsport on highway 101.campground is surrounded by Douglas-fir and Spruce. It has 27 sites and restrooms. Activities enjoyed here are Camping, boating, fishing, picnicking and bird watching.

11. Wild Mare Horse Camp
Campground located in shorepine, Douglas-fir and huckleberry. The campground is ½ mile from the Pacific Ocean and beach and is a popular place to horseback riding. Camping, dune & beach access for horseback riding. Day use area nearby is for picnicking and horse back riding for small groups. Here you will find 12 corral sites and 1 campsite.

12. Waxmyrtle Campground
Campground is located near the Siltcoos River in shorepine and huckleberry. 19 sites are pull-through type. Adjacent to the campground is the Waxmyrtle Trail and the Lagoon trail is only 1/8th mile away. The activities here are Camping, fishing, hiking and bird watching.

These are some famous campgrounds in Oregon Dune Area.

Siuslaw National Forest is a national forest in western Oregon. Established in 1908, the Siuslaw is made up of a wide variety of ecosystems, ranging from coastal forests to sand dunes. The Siuslaw National Forest encompasses more than 630,000 acres along the central Oregon Coast, between Coos Bay and Tillamook and in some places extends east from the ocean, beyond the crest of the Oregon Coast Range, almost reaching the Willamette Valley.

The Forest contains Marys Peak, the highest point in Oregon’s Coast Range at 4097 ft. A large variety of aquatic habitats are found in the forest: marine shore, rivers and streams, and 30 lakes.
Recreation tourist attractions on the Siuslaw include Cape Perpetua, with guided hikes and a visitor center, and miles of sand dunes that provide hiking, swimming, camping, fishing, dune buggy and horseback riding opportunities. Several trails lead to large, old growth Douglas fir, Cedar and Sitka spruce trees.

The Siuslaw has two distinct vegetation zones, Sitka spruce and western hemlock. The hardy Sitka spruce zone grows where the coast influence of mild temperatures, winds, and dense fog discourage other types of vegetation. Western hemlock grows well in shade beneath the dense Douglas-fire canopy. As Douglas fir matures, western hemlock takes over.

Now, let us discuss some ways to plan a trip to Siuslaw National Forest.

1. Planning a trip
The Siuslaw offers many unique activities. It has beautiful surrounding and unique features. A vacation trip in these forests would really make your trip a memorable life long experience.

2. Things to know
There are some very essential things that you need to know while planning a trip to Siuslaw national forest. You need to know about the weather conditions, facilities, permit or pass and about things you will need while you are here.

3. Camping
There are some great camping sites in this forest that would greatly help you to enjoy the outdoors. The Siuslaw National Forest has close to 40 developed campgrounds. Campsites typically include a table, a fire grate, and a tent or trailer space. Electric hookups and showers are not generally available, although most campgrounds have water and vault or flush toilets.

4. Hiking
The Siuslaw National Forest has about 230 miles of trail. Many of our trails are low-elevation, easy-access trails located in a moderate climate for year-round hiking. These trails offer a chance to explore a variety of settings, from coastal forests to sand dunes.

5. OHV
The Siuslaw National Forest is home to two popular Off- Highway Vehicle Riding areas: Sand Lake Recreation Area and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. About half of the area that comprises the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and all of the Sand Lake Recreation Area are open to motorized vehicles. Both the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Sand Lake Recreation Area have campgrounds and staging areas especially well suited for OHV use.

These are some things that really make you enjoy your trip in The Siuslaw National Forest.

The Dunes south of Winchester Bay are the most magnificent on the Oregon Coast.  They are also the most dangerous for riders. Steep hills, quicksand, and shifting winds make the area treacherous for even the most experienced riders. The Winchester Bay-Umpqua Dunes are situated south of Winchester Bay. This riding area has the tallest sand dunes in Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area.

This area can be accessed by Umpqua Beach. A ride to the top of the tall dunes offers an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. There is a sense of wonder and beauty found on these dunes.  A few miles south of “third beach” the dunes stretch for miles - a vast wonderland of isolation and peace. The campgrounds in this area are Discovery Point, Salmon Harbor Resort and Windy Cove.

A Dune Fest is held yearly in Winchester Bay in late July or early August. Some of the famous places in Winchester Dunes are:

1. Windy Cove Campground
This is a county park with 24 full hookup sites and 4 other sites with electric service only.  It is located on the south side of Salmon Harbor Drive, across from the Winchester Bay marina.  Facilities include rest rooms with flush toilets, picnic tables, grass and paved site pads. It is legal to drive your sand rail from this campground directly to the dunes but it is a couple of miles on the pavement.

2. Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
This is on the hill above the dunes.  You will need to trailer back and forth to the dunes. Features include 22 full hookup sites, 42 tent sites, cabins/yurts, a freshwater lake with fishing, boating and swimming, and hiking trails.  The nearby lighthouse is operational and worth visiting.

3. Marina RV Resort
This is new, up-scale RV Park run by the Salmon Harbor Marina, designed primarily for motor homes.  There is not much room for trailers in the camp area.  Facilities include 56 full hookup sites, laundry, TV cable, waterfront view/fishing.

4. Salmon Harbor Marina  and RV
This place has 370 spots to park overnight on the pavement with showers, Deep sea charters, 700 boat slips and a boat launch but there are no tents and hookup available in this area. Fresh fish, oysters, pizza / beer are nearby.  There is room for the longest combined vehicle lengths. You will need to trailer back and forth to the dunes.

5. Half Moon Bay Campgrounds
This campground is located on Highway 101 three miles south from Reedsport to Winchester Bay. Here you will find 45 campsites and five group sites that can be reserved in advance.

These are some of the special features and places of Winchester Bay Dunes Area.

The Siuslaw National Forest is located along Oregon’s Coast Mountain from Tillamook to Coos Bay. A dense Douglas-fir forest complemented by lush, green vegetation along with miles of sand dunes is what the Siuslaw is all about. This wide range of habitats, many of them transitional, makes this a marvelous forest for wildlife.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is inset into the forest just north of Coos Bay. Oregon Dunes is the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. Besides providing the finest beaches in Oregon, Oregon Dunes has 30 lakes, several hiking trails, and some of most mind-blowing ocean scenery anywhere.

Abundant rainfall and mild winters provide growing conditions for a variety of vegetation species. The Siuslaw’s temperate rain forest, coastal influence, ocean-forest interface, relatively young Douglas-fir forest, and cultural history make it unique among all other national forests.

Some of the special destinations of this place are as follow:

1. Marys Peak
At 4,097 feet, Mary’s Peak is the highest point in Oregon’s Coast Range and the most prominent peak to the west of Corvallis. On a clear day the view is spectacular, stretching from the ocean to the Cascade Range. You can also see many of the Cascade peaks to the east across the Willamette Valley. There are also several areas of historical, botanical and geological interest.

2. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is famous for towering trees looming through a coastal fog, frothy surf crashing upon jagged shores and majestic headlands offering clear views for miles. Located two miles south of Yachats, this coastal wonderland - where the forest meets the sea - captivates locals and visitors alike. Fog, rain and cool year-round temperatures create the perfect home for the giant Sitka spruce tree. Sitka spruce forests only grow within three miles of the coast. Further inland, conditions are too hot and dry.

3. Sand Lake Recreation Area
The Sand Lake Recreation Area is located along Oregon’s North Coast, 15 miles southwest of Tillamook between Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. It covers 1,076 acres of open sand dunes, surrounded by forests and adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. The Sand Lake Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities. The Sand Lake Recreation Area is popular with Off-Highway Vehicle enthusiasts. It offers riding on open sand dunes with access from campgrounds/day use areas that are open year round.

4. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
From Florence to Coos Bay, the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area extends for 40 miles along the Oregon Coast. 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.

These are some famous destinations of Siuslaw National Forest.

The Oregon dunes are found south of Florence and north of Coos Bay, Charleston and North Bend. The Siuslaw River marks the northern boundary of the dunes at Florence. The Umpqua River flows into Winchester Bay and the ocean, at the town of Reedsport, dividing the dunes stretch into two halves.

This largest area of Dunes in America lies between the Pacific Ocean and The Coast Mountains. In some places the dunes extend 2.5 miles inland and some are as high as 500 feet. Situated near the beautiful coast, the sand dunes in Oregon are a beloved tourist spot because of the wide variety of recreational activities available and the astonishing beauty of the dunes.

The Oregon Dunes State Park and Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area are best for outdoor adventures, peaceful camping and retreating.

Features of Oregon dunes
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 Oregon dunes are a stunning formation of shifting sand, often called the American Sahara. They are caused by the extreme erosion and water evaporation over thousands of years.

The Oregon sand dunes are the largest coastal dunes in North America. From the rising sand peaks to the island-like tree formations, the dunes in Oregon are one of the most ecologically diverse features in the United States. Combining shifting desert-type sands with coastal waters, lakes, streams and forests, the Oregon coast sand dunes are a must-see on any Oregon vacation.

Camping Trip to the Dunes

There are three major sand camping areas on the Oregon dunes recreation facilities.

1. The first is located in the north dunes called the Florence Oregon sand dunes. The two major camping sites in the Florence dune area are called Driftwood II and Honeyman State Park.
2. Just south of Florence is the second major recreational area called Winchester Bay or the Umpqua Dunes. The largest camping area in the Winchester Bay dune area is called Discovery Point resort.
3. The southernmost Oregon dunes recreational area is located at Coos Bay. The Coos Bay dunes area offers several options for camping.

Before planning a camping trip on the Oregon coast dunes, make sure to check out the local rules and regulations, costs, seasonal availability, and amenities. Also try to make reservations if possible.

Oregon Dune Festival
The Oregon Dune Fest is an annual event that usually takes place around the first week of August. This event is located on the sand dunes in Winchester Bay. During the day, Dune Fest has exciting racing and events for all ages, genders, and skill levels, such as moto-cross racing, barrel racing, dune drag racing and relay racing.

Local DJs are invited to entertain and acclaimed rock groups give a wild concert during the last night of the festivities. Every year the Annual Charity ATV Auction is held, raising money for various causes.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area consists of the sand dunes, coastal areas, rivers, lakes, streams, and forests located in the forty-mile stretch on the Oregon coast. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a great place for outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, sand boarding, OHV use, and horseback riding.

The Recreation Area is shelter to many rare birds, such as endangered shore birds, osprey, bald eagles, and egrets. The ecological diversity found in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area creates a perfect sanctuary for many types of wildlife.

These are some things that makes Oregon dunes a really adventurous and exciting destination for many tourists.

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.