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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

USDA Forest Service

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.

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Location

Sand Lake Recreation Area is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

45.28677778951648 N
123.95735948981897 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

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

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

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

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3.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2022

Well maintained, lot of Quads

A lot of Quads that are using the beach during the day and of course come back than or testing stuff at their site. A lot of bigger RVs and Trailers that use Generator during the day and evening. Sites are for every size, restrooms are well maintained. Enough space between sites but as it’s near the beach with less trees or something in between. You hear more.

Site59
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2022

Nice & Out-of-the-Way, but it is an OHV park

Follow the road until you nearly float, and there is Sandbeach OHV Camp. A very big, organized USFS/BLM camp with about 80 spots, mostly filled. Lots of quad/UTV activity until sunset. Beautiful lake nearby that connects to ocean, gorgeous sand!! Poor cell service in camp, but found bars on beach.

Site76??
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Sand Lake Recreation Area by Greg B., August 6, 2022
  • Review photo of Sand Lake Recreation Area by Greg B., August 6, 2022
Reviewed Jul. 28, 2021

ATV friendly campground

Great if you want to ride ATVs from your camp onto the dunes. No sewer dump station, no hookups. Water spigots in several locations.

Site60
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Sand Lake Recreation Area by Keith F., July 28, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 25, 2020

Paved with no hookups

Sites are large, parking is designed to accommodate RV and OHV vehicles. All sites have fire pits and picnic tables. Rest rooms are maintained very well by park hosts.

Site9
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2018

Atv paradise

Camping here is a quad rider paradise. You can crab,swim and ride bikes.

Site31
Month of VisitAugust

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Sand Lake Recreation Area?

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

  • Does Sand Lake Recreation Area have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Sand Lake Recreation Area does not have wifi.