Visiting the Coastal Sand Dunes in Oregon

The wind-sculpted Oregon dunes are among the most alluring features of the central Oregon coast. Formed over the course of millennia and ever expanding, they comprise one of the largest tracts of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world.

Along a 50 mile stretch of Highway 101 between Coos Bay and Florence, the shifting sand mountains harbor a unique ecosystem.  They conceals coastal lakes, marshes, rivers and spruce forests.

At the heart of this sandy wonderland, lies the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

Whether you’re looking for peaceful solitude or adrenaline-pumping fun, there are tons of ways to explore this sprawling stretch of coastline.

 

THE OREGON DUNES NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

As you approach Florence from the southern Oregon coast, monolith-strewn shores transition to an area of wind-carved sand dunes. These 40,000 acres of rolling dunes—some rising as high as 500 ft above sea level—that undulate inland to meet coastal forests.

They form the largest swath of oceanfront sand dunes in North America.

The Oregon Dunes are a testament to the geological diversity and scenic splendor that lies along the Oregon Coast’s 300+ mile expanse.

 

JESSIE M HONEYMAN STATE PARK

Jessie M Honeyman State Park, also known simply as ‘Honeyman’ is one of my favorite places in Oregon. With its abundance of sand, water and forest, it offers some of the Pacific Northwest‘s most unforgettable coastal scenery.

Honeyman is the northern entry point of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. A two mile stretch of towering sand dunes separates the park from the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean. There are no marked trails leading to the beach, though traversing the area makes for an unforgettable excursion.

While reaching the beach from Honeyman requires a bit of a trek, the area is blessed with two beautiful freshwater lakes: Cleawox (great for swimming and paddling) and Woahink (a popular boating destination).

I have fond memories of my childhood trips to Honeyman. I remember the thrill of charging down the dunes as fast as my legs could carry me, and tumbling into the lake for a refreshing swim afterwards. I remember staying in yurts near Cleawox Lake and renting pedal boats at Woahink Lake.

Camping at Honeyman is a rite of passage for those of us who grew up in Oregon’s central Willamette Valley. The area is a wonderland that makes for a popular day trip from Eugene.

But sentimental values aside, Honeyman State Park is a special place to visit. And if you only have time for one destination within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, then this popular locale should make the top of your list.

 

TAHKENITCH DUNES

Situated south of Honeyman Park, Tahkenitch is another highlight of the Oregon Coast. The dunes at Tahkenitch may not be the coast’s tallest or most visually striking, but they showcase the area’s tapestry of forest, rivers, lakes, and sand.

The Tahkenitch Dunes are off the beaten path compared to Honeyman State Park—which makes them a wonderful place to get away from the crowds.

We set out to explore the area on a beautiful September weekend, and only ran into a handful of other people along the way.

Though there are a few different trails you can take through the Tahkenitch Dunes, we chose to hike the Tahkenitch Loop via Threemile Lake. The 6 mile triangle-shaped trail weaves through an old growth spruce forest, before traversing grass-fringed hills of sand. The area is reminiscent to the Indian Sands Trail, along the Samuel H Baordman Scenic Corridor.

We followed the winding path out to the dunes and trudged up a hilltop that gave way to views of Threemile Lake.

I could hardly believe that we had the area completely to ourselves.

From Threemile Lake, the path continues westward, toward a lonely stretch of windswept ocean.

We walked along the beach for about a mile and reveled in the feeling of being so utterly alone in such an expansive area, before heading back across the dunes and forest, to our car.

 

JOHN DELLENBACK DUNES

The John Dellenback Trail is a 5.5 mile out and back path that traverses the Oregon Coast’s tallest and most impressive stretch of dunes. The beginning of the trail leads through a typical coastal collection of pine and grasses. After the first half mile, however, the vegetation all but disappears and the trail plunges straight into a dry sand sea.

The largely uninterrupted swath of sand undulates outward—its peaks and troughs shifting continually over time. It is a fantastic area to explore on foot, since it prohibits the use of motorized vehicles.

Some of the dunes along the John Dellenback Trail reach several hundred feet above sea level. As with most dunes, hiking to their crests can be a tiring ordeal. (Think 2 steps forward, one step back).  The nature of the hike makes trekking across the John Dellenback Trail significantly more strenuous than its 5.5 miles would otherwise suggest.

At the John Dellenback Dunes, you can easily walk out into the middle of the sand sea and feel like your footprints are the only human evidence for miles.

As you proceed, I suggest you keep an eye on the posts that mark the intended trail.

Since much of the John Dellenback Trail traverses dunes that are largely indistinguishable from one another, finding your place in the gigantic sand box can be disorienting to say the least.

 

ACTIVITIES AND RECREATION AT THE OREGON DUNES

The central Oregon coast is a popular recreation destination. Adrenaline junkies love to tackle the sandy mountains on sandboards and dune buggies.

• RENT DUNE BUGGIES

If zooming up and down sand dunes like your cup of tea, you can rent ATVs from several outfitters, including Sun Buggy and Spinreel.

Near the Three Capes Scenic Loop north of Lincoln City, you can explore the Sandlake Dunes by renting a buggy from Sandlake Tsunami ATV Rental.

• SANDBOARDING IN OREGON

If you’re looking to have a cheaper and more low-key dune adventure, sandboarding is a thrilling alternative. The Sand Master Park in Florence is the world’s first sandboarding park. It offers rentals and lessons for those interested in conquering the area ‘snowboard-style.’ In fact, when I went on a sandboarding tour in Swakopmund Namibia, my guide even acknowledged the Florence dunes as being the place where sandboarding first got its start!

• PADDLE BOARDING IN THE OREGON DUNES NRA

The rolling sand mountains are, of course, the defining feature of the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area. Yet, while it is best known for its sprawling expanse of sand, the area’s forests, lakes and rivers are just as worthy of exploration.

For nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts, the Oregon dunes provide ample kayaking and paddling opportunities. They contain sparkling lakes and a handful of twisting waterways that practically beg to be explored.

The Siltcoos River Canoe Trail is one of my favorite paddle boarding destinations in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

 

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I’ve always loved running down dunes. Throughout my travels, I have chased desertscapes from Sossusvlei to the Sudan, and from Altyn Emel  to White Sands.

My fascination with vast sand seas started just an hour west of my hometown, in the sprawling Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. It is here—in a landscape so otherworldly yet familiar—that I developed a love for sand dunes that has brought me to some of the most remote and desolate reaches of the world.

 

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