Umpqua Sand Camping

Location

Oregon Dunes Visitor Center
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Policies

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

1:00 PM

Max stay

14 nights

Pets

Allowed (per listing)

Campfires

Allowed (per listing)

About

Umpqua Sand Camping occupies a stretch of wind-sculpted dunes on the Oregon Coast within the Siuslaw National Forest and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, where the rolling sandy ridges climb as high as roughly 500 feet and open up to wide views of the Pacific Ocean. The landscape here is defined by vast, rideable sand rather than forested campsites sites are dispersed among the dunes and the Umpqua River is a short drive to the north while Eel Lake lies a little way to the south. Off-highway vehicle riding is the primary draw: a large open riding zone in the Umpqua area gives riders room to climb dune crests and look back at ocean vistas, and each summer the Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce stages Dunefest with motocross races, treasure hunts, freestyle shows and family-friendly events. Nearby Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, north of the sand area, offers a chance to visit the historic Umpqua River Lighthouse (the site of the first Oregon Coast light established in 1857; the present tower dates to 1890) for a different kind of shoreline outing. The campground is primitive and set up for sand-based, self-reliant camping: there are 27 total campsites (23 that accommodate both RVs and tents and 4 tent-only sites), and individual standard sites are laid out to fit about five vehicles and up to 20 people while group sites are sized to hold roughly ten vehicles and up to 40 people. Because campsites sit on open sand, access requires a 4x4 vehicle and there is no potable water on-site, so bring ample water, portable toilets, and fire pans (they're required). Sites are available year-round but are reservation-only and do fill quickly in summer; unoccupied reserved sites will be released after 24 hours unless you notify the ranger station at 541-271-6000. Seasonal rainfall can temporarily affect access to some campsites, so check with the Oregon Dunes Visitor Center for current conditions. Vehicles and tents must be kept within 150 feet of each campsite's marker post, and primary beach access is reached from Winchester Bay/Salmon Harbor Drive south of Reedsport, with official vehicle entry at the National Forest boundary or through the Umpqua Beach staging areas (Staging Area #3 lies at the end of the road about 4 miles from Highway 101).