East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area

0.15

33 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

61 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Hebo Ranger Station site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

61 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Hebo Ranger Station site

Get Directions

East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Provider

(503) 392-5100

What Campers Say

0.15

Mixed Reviews

Based on 33 reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietlakebeach

"Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, especially from OHV (ATV/quad/side‑by‑side) riders and families seeking a fun, action‑oriented dunes experience. Campers praise the scenery, beach and dune access, and large paved sites, but one detailed review notes that the layout feels like tightly packed RV parking with significant noise and safety concerns during busy holiday weekends."

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Best Time to Camp at East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area

The Pacific Ocean works its magic here, blessing East Dunes with a temperate maritime climate that keeps summers refreshingly cool and winters surprisingly mild. This gentle weather pattern means the campground and surrounding dunes welcome visitors 365 days a year, offering different adventures with each season—from summer beach days to winter storm watching along the coast.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Year-round (sites 40-61 are reservable all year; area has year-round access to dunes).

About East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area

Nestled at the edge of Oregon's spectacular Sand Lake Recreation Area, East Dunes Campground welcomes adventure-seekers year-round with 61 well-appointed sites that serve as your basecamp for exploring over 1,000 acres of pristine coastal sand dunes. Whether you're an off-road enthusiast ready to tackle the legendary sand playground or a nature lover seeking coastal serenity, you'll find modern amenities including paved parking, flush toilets, drinking water, and campfire rings, with both reservable sites and first-come day-use options available.

East Dunes is a 61-site campground geared toward off-road vehicle users with both reservable and first-come day‑use sites. Sites 1–35 are reservable up to 14 days prior for stays up to 14 days (Lower East Dunes Parking Lot); sites 36–39 are first-come day‑use sites (pay at credit card machine in West Winds Campground); sites 40–61 are reservable up to six months in advance for stays up to 14 days (Upper East Dunes Parking Lot).

Weather and SeasonsThe Pacific Ocean works its magic here, blessing East Dunes with a temperate maritime climate that keeps summers refreshingly cool and winters surprisingly mild. This gentle weather pattern means the campground and surrounding dunes welcome visitors 365 days a year, offering different adventures with each season—from summer beach days to winter storm watching along the coast.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking up to a landscape where towering sand dunes roll like golden waves toward the Pacific horizon. East Dunes sits at the threshold of an extraordinary 1,100-acre coastal dune field, where mountains of sand rise from dense coastal forest to meet the endless blue of the ocean. Just beyond your campsite, the Sand Lake Estuary sprawls across 900 acres of protected wetlands, creating a haven for migrating waterfowl and offering visitors a stunning variety of experiences—cast a line for fish, dig for crabs in the shallows, paddle quietly through glassy waters, or simply watch wildlife thrive in this rare ecosystem where freshwater meets salt.

Geological RegionThis campground occupies a remarkable position within the Sand Lake coastal dune system, where ancient geological forces have sculpted one of the Pacific Northwest's most dramatic landscapes—a living, shifting expanse of sand dunes that continues to evolve with each ocean wind.

Campsite details

Total Campsites61 campsites

Recommended CampsitesReserve your site before arrival when possible (sites 1-35: reservable up to 14 days prior; sites 40-61: reservable up to six months in advance). Pay for Sites 36-39 (day-use) at the credit card machine in West Winds Campground. Contact the Hebo Ranger Station with questions.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Stays up to 14 days for reservable campsites.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSites are arranged in lower and upper parking lot areas: Sites 1-35 (Lower East Dunes Parking Lot) are reservable per short-term window; Sites 36-39 are first-come day-use sites (Lower East Dunes Parking Lot); Sites 40-61 (Upper East Dunes Parking Lot) are reservable up to six months in advance. Parking aprons are paved.

Open and Closed SeasonYear-round (sites 40-61 are reservable all year; area has year-round access to dunes).

Reservation PlatformsDay-use payment for Sites 36-39: credit card machine in West Winds Campground. Reservation platform(s) for reservable sites not specified in source.

Walk-in AvailabilitySites 36-39 are first-come, first-served day-use only. Sites 1-35 and 40-61 are reservable (Sites 1-35 reservable up to 14 days prior to arrival; Sites 40-61 reservable up to six months in advance).

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Cell phone service

Flush toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Primary recreation at East Dunes is off-road vehicle (ORV) riding on nearly 1,100 acres of coastal dunes; nearby Sand Lake Estuary provides additional water- and wildlife-based activities.

Hiking

Hiking opportunities exist in the nearby Sand Lake Estuary and surrounding areas.

Fishing

Fishing is available in the nearby Sand Lake Estuary.

Swimming

Swimming is listed as an activity available in the nearby Sand Lake Estuary.

Boating

Kayaking is available in the nearby Sand Lake Estuary.

Wildlife viewing

The near‑natural 900‑acre estuary provides habitat for many species of waterfowl and opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Water Sports

Crabbing and kayaking are noted as water-based activities in the Sand Lake Estuary.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
Campfire rings are provided at sites.

Hazards

General hazardsLimited cell phone service in the campground and recreation area (explicitly stated).

Weather at East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Light drizzle

Precipitation: 0.4%

Humidity: 98%

Wind: 17.1 mph

Light drizzle

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Proximity to water featuresAdjacent to Sand Lake Estuary (approximately 900 acres); near the Pacific Ocean and associated coastal waters offering fishing, swimming, crabbing, and kayaking.

HostContact Hebo Ranger Station for facility-specific information; office hours noted as Monday–Friday 8 AM–4 PM except federal holidays.

Campground Map

East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area

Driving directionsFrom Pacific City: From Highway 101 take Brooten Road into Pacific City. Turn left onto Pacific Ave, drive over the bridge and turn right onto Cape Kiwanda Drive. Follow Cape Kiwanda Drive for 2.3 miles and bear left when it changes to Sandlake Road (County Road 871). Stay on Sandlake Road for 5.2 miles then turn left onto Galloway Road. Follow Galloway Road for 2.3 miles. Once you enter Sandlake Recreation Area continue straight 282 ft and the entrance for East Dunes Campground is on the right. From Tillamook: Follow Highway 101 south for 11 miles to Sandlake Road (County Road 871). Turn right onto Sandlake Road and travel 4 miles to a stop sign. Turn left to stay on Sandlake Road, travel 1 mile to Galloway Road. Turn right onto Galloway Road and follow it for 2.3 miles to the entrance of Sandlake Recreation Area. Once you enter Sandlake Recreation Area continue straight 282 ft and the entrance for East Dunes Campground is on the right.

Access via Highway 101 to Sandlake Road (County Road 871); follow Sandlake Road and Galloway Road into Sandlake Recreation Area per directions above.

Nearby places

Tillamook: directions reference 11 miles on Highway 101 to Sandlake Road. Pacific City: primary access point with local mileage provided in directions (Cape Kiwanda Drive ~2.3 miles to Sandlake Road).

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.2

33 reviews

Mixed Reviews

East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, especially from OHV (ATV/quad/side‑by‑side) riders and families seeking a fun, action‑oriented dunes experience. Campers praise the scenery, beach and dune access, and large paved sites, but one detailed review notes that the layout feels like tightly packed RV parking with significant noise and safety concerns during busy holiday weekends.

Review Summaries

Based on 33 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love the easy access to Sand Lake’s dunes and beach for quads, side‑by‑sides, and bikes, with many calling it an “ATV paradise” and “the best freaking place to be.” Reviewers highlight large,...

Based on 33 reviews

Common Concerns

Several reviewers note a lack of amenities: no showers, no hookups, and no cell service are specifically mentioned. One in‑depth review criticizes the campground feel, describing sites as crammed RV...

Based on 33 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Multiple reviewers recommend arriving early if you want a spot, especially on holiday weekends when it can fill up (e.g., Memorial Day). This campground is best suited for people bringing off‑road...

Based on 33 reviews

Camper Quotes

"If you love beach life quads, side by sides or camping on beach this is the place to go." "The best freaking place to be! Great hosts, great rangers, couldn't ask for a better place to be. Except...

Based on 33 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One reviewer notes that sites in the east dunes lot are large with plenty of room and little pavement riding required to reach the sand entrance, and they enjoyed a sunset view out the back of their...

Based on 33 reviews