GuideSouth Jetty Sand Camping
Sand Dune Hazard
Warning ⚠️‼️ 4x4 is an absolute must here — and even then it can still get risky. We first took the wrong trail and ended up heading straight up a dune toward the beach after passing the staging area. We were in a Tacoma SR5 (not a TRD) with a rear diff lock and all-terrain tires, and we still almost got stuck digging into the dune climbing up. I was honestly worried that if we crested the top and dropped onto the beach, we may not have made it back out.
Thankfully I was able to reverse back down the dune and return to the staging area. We talked with some guys there and finally figured out the correct trail to the camping area.
Technically you do need a permit online. We paid for ours, although several people there claimed nobody ever checks and they never pay. Your call, your risk.
We arrived late and were a little stressed trying to secure a spot before dark because I absolutely did not want to get stranded out there overnight needing recovery. I ended up walking about a quarter mile through the sand to Site #1 first to see if the route looked manageable. After checking it out, I felt confident enough from previous beach and snow driving experience to carefully work our way in.
Even then, while we were there:
- One group came asking for help after snapping the axle on their dune runner.
- Another group was broken down in the staging area after their 4Runner’s 4WD system failed.
So seriously — be careful and don’t get stranded out at these sites.
In an emergency, you could probably sleep in the main parking/staging area that says “No Overnight Parking,” although there is a nearby host, so I wouldn’t count on it. To clarify, you are not actually on the beach, with ocean views here.
Despite all that, I’d still stay again
