Established Camping
Sand Lake Recreation Area
Sand Lake Recreation Area, near Tillamook, Oregon, is a lively spot that caters to those who love the thrill of off-highway vehicles. With spacious sites designed for both tents and RVs, it’s a great place to set up camp and hit the dunes right from your site.
This campground is popular among ATV enthusiasts, and you’ll often hear the roar of quads as they zip around the nearby beach and dunes. Visitors have noted that the restrooms are well-maintained, which is always a plus after a day of adventure. As one camper mentioned, “Great if you want to ride ATVs from your camp onto the dunes.”
If you’re looking to unwind, the beautiful lake nearby connects to the ocean, offering a stunning backdrop for swimming or just soaking up the sun. While cell service can be spotty, many have found that the beach provides better reception, so you can still stay connected if needed.
The atmosphere here is friendly and laid-back, making it a fun spot for families and friends alike. Just keep in mind that it can get busy, especially during peak times, but that just adds to the vibrant energy of the place. Whether you’re here to ride, relax, or explore, Sand Lake Recreation Area has plenty to keep you entertained.
Description
The Sand Lake Recreation Area is located along Oregon's North Coast, 15 miles southwest of Tillamook, OR between Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. It covers 1,076 acres of open dunes, surrounded by forests and adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. The Sand Lake Recreation Area is popular with OHV riders but offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Map of Sand Lake Recreation Area The Sand Lake Estuary, adjacent to the Sand Lake Recreation Area, provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, crabbing, kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The near-natural state of this 900-acre estuary provides a home to many species of waterfowl and access is available at Fisherman’s Day Use Area near the Sandbeach OHV Campground. The dunes begin at the estuary and extend to the northeast for about 3.5 miles. The dunes are surrounded on three sides by a coastal mixed-conifer forest and the west by the Pacific Ocean. The dunes are an example of an extended parabolic dune system. Dune vegetation is mostly European beach grass and shore pine. Find out more about coastal dunes from our Geology of Dunes page. The climate at Sand Lake has strong marine influences. Summers are cool and winters are moderate. Westerly winds predominate - from the northwest during the summer and from the southwest in the winter. These winds from the ocean bring heavy rainfall in the winter and fog in the summer. Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation
The Sand Lake Recreation Area is popular with Off-Highway Vehicle enthusiasts. It offers to ride on open dunes with access from campgrounds/day-use areas that are open year-round. Sand Lake has three developed campgrounds, a dispersed camping area, and a day-use staging area that allow access to the dunes and beach. A fee is required at all campgrounds, the day-use lot, and the open sand. Campgrounds fill up every weekend from May through September. Know the regulations before you arrive! The State of Oregon establishes and administers OHV permits and regulations. Regulations are strictly enforced by the Tillamook County Sheriff and the U.S. Forest Service.
Location
Sand Lake Recreation Area is located in Oregon
Coordinates
45.28677778951648 N
123.95735948981897 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Detours Nearby
Hebo Lake Campground
30 min away
Dispersed Camping Near Pioneer-Indian Trail in Siuslaw National Forest
35 min away
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
