Umpqua Dunes

Easy (to start of dunes)

1-mile loop

50 feet elevation gain


Difficult (to ocean)

5.4 miles round trip

100 feet elevation gain

The biggest dunes in Oregon stretch west of Eel Creek Campground in a vast seafront Sahara.  No off-road vehicles disturb the immense quiet here.  Although the hike from Eel Creek to the beach begins and ends on marked paths, most of the route crosses a stark, trackless dunescape of wind-rippled sand.

Start by driving Highway 101 south . . .

If you still have lots of energy, you can head left . . .

Other Options

If you’re trekking the Oregon Coast Trail south from Reedsport, walk . . .

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes : Oregon Coast