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Official

Established Camping

Umpqua Sand Camping

Umpqua Sand Camping, near the Siuslaw National Forest in Oregon, is a unique spot that draws in those looking for a blend of adventure and natural beauty. This place is all about the sand dunes, offering direct access for dune buggies and ATVs, making it a playground for thrill-seekers.

The campground is pretty basic, with no hookups or restrooms on-site, but that’s part of its charm. Campers have enjoyed setting up hammocks among the trees and gathering around campfires, as one visitor noted, “We found lots of wood and had a nice fire.” Just keep in mind that the sound of off-road vehicles can be a constant backdrop, so if you’re after peace and quiet, this might not be your ideal spot.

For those who love the outdoors, the views here are stunning, with the dunes stretching out towards the ocean. Reviewers have highlighted the unique perspectives from different areas of the dunes, making it a great place for photography or simply soaking in the scenery. Just be cautious if you’re pulling in with a camper; it’s recommended to lower your tire pressure to navigate the sandy terrain better.

If you’re traveling with pets, you’re in luck—dogs are welcome here, which adds to the campground's appeal for many visitors. Whether you’re planning to ride the dunes or just enjoy the sandy landscape, Umpqua Sand Camping offers a memorable experience for those ready to embrace the great outdoors.

Description

National Forest

Siuslaw National Forest

Overview

Umpqua is home to the tallest sand dunes in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Off-road vehicle riding is a popular activity here, and visitors are rewarded with incredible views of the Pacific Ocean from the tops of the dunes.

Recreation

The main attraction is off-road vehicle riding. The Umpqua area features a large open riding zone with expansive sand dunes and stunning vistas of the ocean and the surrounding topography. Each year, the Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce hosts the summertime Dunefest event for riders of all ages. Dunefest provides opportunities for motocross racing, treasure hunting in the sand, freestyle riding shows, and more.

Natural Features

Campsites are dispersed amongst the dunes along the Pacific Coast. The Umpqua River is a short drive north and Eel Lake is a short drive south. The sand camping area is part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which is known for its wind-sculpted sand dunes towering up to 500 feet above sea level.

Nearby Attractions

Visit Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, to the north of the Umpqua sand camping area. The Umpqua River Lighthouse stands on the site of the first lighthouse built on the Oregon Coast in 1857. The current lighthouse dates back to 1890.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (541) 271-6000.

Charges & Cancellations

Campsites that are not occupied after 24 hours of arrival time will be considered as a "no show" and sites will be released for others to reserve. If campers will be arriving after 24 hours of their arrival time, they are encouraged to call the ranger station at 541-271-6000 to let staff know.

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Location

Umpqua Sand Camping is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Reedsport, Oregon, travel about 3 miles south on Highway 101 to Winchester Bay. Turn right onto Salmon Harbor Drive. Proceed for 2.5 miles on Salmon Harbor Drive to the National Forest boundary. Vehicles can access the sand at the boundary, or from the two Umpqua Beach day-use/off-road vehicle staging areas. Umpqua Beach Staging Area #3 is at the end of the road, a total of 4 miles from the intersection with Highway 101.

Coordinates

43.6313889 N
124.2119444 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

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4 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2020

Cool sand dunes

We really needed a place to stay and this one was open. It was cool we decided to hang out hammocks up in the trees and sleep in them for the night. We found lots of wood and had a nice fire. We were right in the sand dunes with lots of dune buggies! It did rain on us during the night so we ended up sleeping in the car. There were also lots of nats/mosquitos which were very annoying but kinda went away as it got darker outside.

Reviewed May. 30, 2020

Great Views

This campground is still a favorite of mine due to its great access to the dunes and beautiful views. The dunes have five fingers all of which have their own unique view of the dunes, lakes, and ocean.

These campgrounds are primitive, in that there are no firepits, hookups or restrooms. If you need to use the restroom you need to drive/ride down to the parking lot. The park host is friendly and knowledgeable.

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  • Review photo of Umpqua Sand Camping by Rich M., May 30, 2020
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Reviewed May. 15, 2020

Camping on the dunes

If you're into riding quads or ATVs, then this is the place to go. There are miles of sand dunes with great step climbs and great views. We were able to pull our pop-up camper right out on the dunes. This is home to the notorious Banshee hill, a long step climb that can be intimidating if you are new but a thrill to ride up.

You have to be cautious though, lots of people get suck pulling their campers out onto the sand. You need to take your tire pressure down to 15psi. Know where your going and walk it first.

There are restrooms at the parking lots which are a but if a ride to get to.

This is honestly one of my favorite places to camp because it's the access to the dunes.

  • Review photo of Umpqua Sand Camping by Rich M., May 15, 2020
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Reviewed Sep. 27, 2017

Cool spot but so loud!

We enjoyed our visit here other than the fact that it was so loud all the time. It makes sense due to the fact that's it's a off-road vehicles paradise! We just hadn't considered the volume. Cool place though. Sand dunes right on the beach. As far as the eye can see! Dogs are welcome here which is why we chose this spot. If we bring dirt bikes next time we will definitely stay here again!

Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the max vehicle length at Umpqua Sand Camping?

    Umpqua Sand Camping allows vehicles up to 100 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Umpqua Sand Camping?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Umpqua Sand Camping, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Umpqua Sand Camping?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is available.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Umpqua Sand Camping?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Umpqua Sand Camping. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Umpqua Sand Camping, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Umpqua Sand Camping?

    There are 27 campsites at Umpqua Sand Camping and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts