East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area

Star0.15
33 reviews
East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area

Quick Facts

46 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

61 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Hebo Ranger Station site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026
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

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Provider
(503) 392-5100
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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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Campground Map

East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area

East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area

45.2871, -123.9560

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).

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.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Temperate summers (cool) and full dune/beach access make summer a prime season, though it's popular and busy.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Mild maritime fall weather and year-round dune access make fall attractive for activities and fewer crowds.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring offers good access to dunes/estuary with mild weather and active wildlife; strong season for visits.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Winters are mild and the area remains open, but weather can be wetter; not ideal for all campers.

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).
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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit
Stays up to 14 days for reservable campsites.

Amenities available

Potable water
Flush toilets
Fire rings

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.
HikingHiking opportunities exist in the nearby Sand Lake Estuary and surrounding areas.
FishingFishing is available in the nearby Sand Lake Estuary.
SwimmingSwimming is listed as an activity available in the nearby Sand Lake Estuary.
BoatingKayaking is available in the nearby Sand Lake Estuary.
Wildlife viewingThe near‑natural 900‑acre estuary provides habitat for many species of waterfowl and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsLimited cell phone service in the campground and recreation area (explicitly stated).

Weather at East Dunes Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area

Reviews

0.2
33 reviews
Mixed 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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Based on 33 reviews

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Last updated February 2, 2026
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