Vacation Ups And Downs Oregon Dunes Are Sand Piles Of Enjoyment

We’re talking sandbox, campers, a big hairy sandbox running 40 miles along the Oregon Coast. Designer dunes, huge piles of ancient mountains piled up along the Pacific - the highest open dune system on the West Coast.

It’s called the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, and it’s a major playground: 30 lakes, 14 hiking trails, 13 campgrounds (even some for horses and off-road vehicles), almost a dozen beach parking areas, three off-road, dune riding areas totaling about 10,000 acres - and more. The Forest Service (which supervises the park) says the recreation area is the biggest coastal dune area in the United States.

The recreation area runs from Florence to the north side of Coos Bay, with the park visitor center located in Reedsport. The tallest dunes in the park are found in the Winchester area, with some rising more than 500 feet. A number of local companies offer guided dune buggy rides, or you can also rent vehicles for self-drive trips.

If you bring your own sand-capable vehicle, you are required to get an Oregon permit, which can be obtained at the park visitor center in Reedsport. Permits are $10, and vehicles must pass safety and noise tests.

Some activities and suggestions:

Hiking

Among the 14 trails in the system are several designed to give you an overview of the dunes. A couple of the best start from the Oregon Dunes Overlook, on the west side of U.S Highway 101 about 10 miles south of Florence or 10.5 miles north of Reedsport.

Facilities at the overlook include flush toilets, water, picnic tables, interpretive signs and viewing platforms. Picnic tables and restrooms are handicap accessible.

The two trails at the overlook are the Overlook Beach Trail and the connecting Tahkenitch Creek Loop. The Overlook Trail is about a mile one way, and is semi-rigorous. It crosses flat areas and climbs dunes, and ends at an isolated beach, famous for yielding whole sand dollars. Parts of the area are sometimes closed to protect the Western snowy plover.

The loop trail is about four miles one way and also rated as fairly strenuous. The loop may be hiked in either, but if it’s windy, do the beach portion first. Take the Overlook Beach Trail to the beach, then go south about a mile and a half to the Tahkenitch Creek trail marker. There are great views from the high points on the trail.

Another trek worth a try is the Umpqua Dunes Trail, which starts on the west side of Highway 101 about a quarter-mile south of the Eel Creek Campground about 10.5 miles south of Reedsport. You can do a beach hike or a self-guided interpretive loop. Both routes takes you through a forest filled with madrone and manzanita.

Camping

Among the dozen or so campgrounds in the park are several that have direct off-road vehicle access to the dunes. Campsites are paved, and most have water; there are no full hookups or dump stations for RVs. The sites are $13 a night, and information and reservations can be obtained 240 days ahead by calling (877) 444-6777 or online at www.reserveUSA.com

Fees

There is a $5 per vehicle day-use fee for the park. The permits can be obtained either at the Reedsport visitors’ center or at various automated sites around the area, including the Oregon Dunes Overlook and Umpqua Beach parking area.

Dune rides

The various companies in the dunes area that rent ATVs and dune buggies charge about $40 an hour for four-wheelers or buggies, and tours run about $30 per person for a onehour jaunt. A couple of places to try are Spinreel Dune Buggy Rentals, located at North Bend, Ore. just north of Coos Bay, (541) 759-3313, www.spinreel.com; or Sandland Adventures in Florence, (541) 997-8087, www.sandland.com

Accommodations

There are many to choose from in the area, but always worth a try is an inn near Florence, which has a great old historic center with several good restaurants. A good bet nearby is the Best Western Pier Point Inn on Highway 101, (800) 435-6736. If you do B&Bs, try the Edwin K (800) 833-9465, or the Oak Street Victorian (800) 853-4005, both in the old town.

If you look for an eatery in Old Town, try the Bay Street Grill, Mo’s Restaurant (famous and popular), or the Bridgewater.