Within Siuslaw National Forest, Sand Lake Recreation Area serves as a designated OHV staging ground where campers can drive ATVs and UTVs directly from their sites onto the dunes. The US Forest Service manages this drive-in campground with approximately 80 sites designed to accommodate large RVs and trailers alongside off-highway vehicles.
The campground attracts primarily ATV and UTV enthusiasts who use the direct dune access throughout the day. Quad activity continues until sunset, with generators running at many sites during evening hours. Sites offer ample space for both RVs and toy haulers, with fire pits and picnic tables at each location. Water spigots are distributed throughout the campground, though no hookups or dump station are available.
Sand Lake connects to the ocean, creating a large water feature adjacent to the camping area. The beach areas restrict motorized vehicles, providing quiet walking zones away from the OHV activity. Greg B. notes the campground has "gorgeous sand" and mentions poor cell service within the camp, though signal improves on the beach.
Restrooms receive regular maintenance from park hosts, and the campground welcomes pets and allows alcohol. The access road can become challenging in wet conditions. This recreation area works best for campers who either participate in or tolerate extensive ATV activity, as motorized recreation defines the campground's primary character and noise levels.
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSand Lake Recreation Area is located in Oregon near Pacific City
Coordinates
45.28677778951648 N
123.95735948981897 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 6/18/26- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/18/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/18/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 6/18/26
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/18/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/18/26
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
Drive Time
- 1 hr 18 min from Salem, OR
- 1 hr 38 min from Portland, OR
- 1 hr 38 min from Corvallis, OR
- 1 hr 41 min from Albany, OR
