One Of Oregon's Beaches Offers Coastal Dunes For Summer Off-Roading Adventures

Oregon's majestic beaches have some of the most unique natural phenomena in the country. The North Coast is widely known for its rugged, rocky shoreline and towering ancient sea stacks, like Haystack Rock. Farther south, the Central Coast has its own stretch of incredible natural wonders, including the Oregon Dunes, the largest coastal sand dunes in the United States. Covering 31,500 acres, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is one of a few areas on the Oregon coast where OHV riders can cut loose, watch a magnificent summer sunset, and head back to camp (or a local hotel) at the end of the day.

The diversity of the local environments in the Oregon Dunes makes for unique riding conditions, where the forest, ocean, and endless sands all meet. The dunes were formed and shaped by wind and water over thousands of years, as sand washed down from the Coast Range into local streams and rivers and into the ocean. The sand was pulled back to shore by the tides and blown up to 2.5 miles inland by the wind across over 50 miles of coastline. There are miles of flat beaches to drive on, though some of the tallest dunes reach nearly 500 feet in height – and can even be climbed by skilled riders.

Like other destinations on the Oregon coast, the main gateway to Oregon Dunes is Highway 101, which connects the park's northern and southern halves. If you're flying into the Central Coast, Eugene Airport (EUG) likely offers the best balance in terms of driving distance (about an hour and a half away) and flight availability. Alternatively, Portland International Airport (PDX) is over three hours by car. There's also the smaller Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH), with a limited number of scheduled flights each day. If you're visiting the dunes for the day, don't forget to purchase a $5 pass from Recreation.gov.

Unlike the more compact Sand Lake Recreation Area on Oregon's Tillamook Coast, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is spread out. You should organize your trip based around where you plan to ride. About half of Oregon Dunes is open to OHVs, and the park is divided into three distinct OHV riding areas. If you're looking for low-key summer rides on the beach, stick to the northern area between Florence and Reedsport. You'll find direct access to the beach from the South Jetty Staging Area, which has water and restroom facilities and connects to other long-distance trails in the northern section, including the Coast Guard North OHV Trail. If you'll be getting a later start (the Forest Service notes that parking fills quickly during summer and holiday weekends), another option is the less-crowded Siltcoos Staging Area. For riders looking to test their machines or their abilities, head to the Umpqua Dunes along Winchester Bay. In this section, you'll find tougher rides, including towering Banshee Hill, a steep climb through a narrow sand chute between groves of pine trees.

In the southernmost section of Oregon Dunes outside of Hauser, you'll find ATV and OHV rental shops with straightforward access to the sandy playground. Spinreel Dune Buggy & ATV Rentals (located near the Spinreel Staging Area) and Steve's ATV Rentals and Dune Bugs ATV Rentals (both located near the Hauser Staging Area) offer ATV and side-by-side rentals to explore the area. Reviewers on Google Maps have left hundreds of five-star reviews for all three shops, detailing their positive rental experiences. If you'd rather have a local lead the way, Spinreel also provides guided tours. Before you ride off into the sand, be sure to have a map and your safety checklist or ATV safety card. Maps of the three areas are provided for free by the Forest Service on Avenza Maps.

While off-roading is a major activity at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the park has plenty of other summer activities to take in the beautiful scenery of the Oregon coast. Visitors can unwind after a day of riding by relaxing on the beaches, birdwatching on Salmon Harbor Drive, or tossing out a line in one of dozens of lakes uniquely formed by the dunes. If you still have energy to burn, try your hand at sandboarding in Florence or hike the Oregon Dunes Loop, one of the most scenic hikes on the Oregon coast.

Visitors looking for the quickest option back to base have several developed and primitive OHV campsites at their fingertips. A few standouts include the Driftwood, Spinreel, and Horsfall Beach campgrounds, which can be booked online. Primitive dispersed beach camping is also an option near the South Jetty, Umpqua, and the Hauser staging areas. For visitors who would prefer to stay in town, Florence, Reedsport, Winchester Bay, and North Bend all have lodging as well as restaurants. If you're looking for gorgeous views of the largest bay on the coast, you'll find them in Coos Bay.

The weather on the Oregon coast during the summer months is often sunny but still chilly enough for layering. As most trails are normally several miles in length, it's a good idea to carry a backpack (or a foldable dry bag) with plenty of sunscreen, water, and a tow rope, just in case you get stuck. If you'll be riding on the beaches, always stay within the speed limit (25 mph) and be aware of seasonal riding restrictions to protect western snowy plover habitat.