Are you planning a camping trip to Oregon? No trip to this beautiful state is complete without a visit to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Find out about some of the most popular tent and RV camping spots located along this beautiful segment of the northern Pacific coastline so you can plan your trip to the area.
Popular Places to Camp in the Oregon Dunes
There are a number of excellent tent and RV campgrounds near the Oregon dunes. Here are a few of the places you may want to consider on your next trip to the area.
Eel Creek Campground
The Eel Creek Campground in Reedsport, Oregon is located within the National Recreation Area. It has both tent and RV campsites, with a few tent-only options located directly on sand dunes. There are two miles of imposing hills of sand between this campground and the ocean. If you stay here or visit this part of the dunes during your trip, be sure and take in the Umpqua Dunes Trail Hike, a true opportunity to experience the natural highlights of the endless sand in a peaceful setting, as motorized vehicles are not allowed in this part of the sand dune area.
For more information, see the Eel Creek Campground website or call (541) 271-3611. If you are ready to make a reservation, you can book your campsite online. The park is open May - September.
Harbor Vista Campground
Located in Florence, Oregon, the Harbor Vista Park features year-round camping for tenters and RV campers. In addition to the incredible sand dunes located a quick walk from most of the campsites, there is also hiking trails and a playground. Bring your fishing pole and crabbing equipment and you may just catch yourself some dinner too!
For more information, see the campground information page on the Lake County Parks website or call (541) 997-5987. Lake County also provides an online reservations page for all of its campground facilities.
Oregon Dunes KOA
The Oregon Dunes KOA has tent and RV sites, as well as cabin and lodge options. If you bring your own ATV or rent one at the campsite, you can get to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area from the campground in just two minutes. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the same area by car. The campground's amenities include an on-site camp store, game room, outdoor kitchen and clean bathrooms and showers. There is also a playground for children and a fenced dog play area. Wireless Internet access is also available at campsites.
Visit the Oregon Dunes KOA website for additional information or call (541) 756-4851. You can make reservations by calling the national KOA reservations hotline at 1-800-KOA-4236 or by visiting the reservations page on KOA.com. This campground is open year-round.
Sand Beach
If you prefer your sand dunes to be a little less of a climb, Pacific City is the place for you. At the Sand Beach Campground these rolling sand dunes are part of the park. The campground features more than over 100 tent and RV sites. During your stay, be sure to climb to the top of the nearest sand mountain and enjoy the spectacular view of the ocean, then escape the sand for some rocky tide pool viewing. If you're really brave, try sliding down some of these sand dunes!
To find out more, visit Sand Beach Campground information page provided by the Forest Service. Reservations are accepted between May and October. To reserve a spot, go to Recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777.
Windy Cove
Located in Winchester Bay, Oregon, there are actually two Windy Cove Campgrounds. Both are operated by Douglas County's department of Parks and Recreation. Windy Cove A does not accept reservations, so all spots are offered to campers on a first-come, first-served basis. It has tent and RV spots, but there is a 30-foot limit for campers. Reservations are accepted for some of the campsites Windy Cove B, where RVs of up to 40-feet can be accommodated. Both places offer easy beach access, fishing, crabbing, and the opportunity to spy a migrating whale or two.
To learn more about the Windy Cove campsites, as well as other campgrounds operated by the county, see the Douglas County Campsites page. You can also call each campground directly. The number for Windy Cove A is (541) 271-4138 and the number for Windy Cove B is (541) 957-7001.
Make the Most of Your Oregon Dunes Camping Trip
If you love beautiful scenery, you're sure to enjoy the time you spend camping in this area. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to have the best possible camping experience in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
- Consider renting an ATV or booking a sand rail or dune buggy excursion when you are in the area.
- As the dunes are a popular camping destination, it's best to make reservations as far in advance as possible.
- Not all campgrounds are open year-round, so be sure to verify availability if you choose to travel to the area without reservations
- Weather conditions along the Oregon coast are typically best during summer and early fall. These are, of course, the times when the crowds tend to be the largest.
- Offshore breezes are present year-round, so plan appropriately for wind regardless of the time of year that you visit.
- Because of the sandy and windy conditions, it's important to bring protective gear for your camera and any other electronic equipment that you bring.
By planning ahead and being prepared for the terrain and weather conditions, you'll certainly be well-equipped to make the most of your time exploring this beautiful stretch of the Pacific Northwest.
