John Dellenback Trailhead

Nice little trail out to the dunes and you can walk further to the beach if you wish. Very quiet on the day we went, not another person around. Views are pretty from the dunes. Very enjoyable shirt hike.

The entrance to the John Dellenback Dunes (JDD) is accessible to pretty much anyone. It’s an easy half-​mile hike to get to the dune area.
Once you enter the JDD you’re in a vast «desert.» It’s harder to walk on sand than dirt, so be aware of this fact if you decide to go to the beach area (about two-​miles away).
The JDD has a mystical magical quality. Some spots feel like you’re in a different country all together. The high mounds of sand, vast vistas, and sense of being somewhere else adds to the experience. In fact, I believe the beach is anticlimactic compared to the dunes, although the hike to get there is worth doing.
The parking fee is five dollars (cash/​check only). I suggest driving about 200-​feet past the entrance; then park for free at the cross road. It has large turnout area that is perfect for parking.

Great trailhead that leads to a spectacular area of Oregon dunes.
We hiked the easy 1 mile loop two times actually. The first time to check out the trail, the second time to get back to the dunes so we could explore and take pictures.
There’s a much longer trail they suggest you budget 4 hours for that takes you to the ocean. We skipped this one as it had rained off and on and there were warning about some parts of the trail that could be impassable.
Highly recommend this trail for an awesome outlet to the dunes. See my photos!

This was a lot of fun, still a bit cool in early May but we started out and went adventuring. I read somewhere to get an early start before the winds pick up, I second that wholeheartedly!
We trudged through the sand to the trail ½ mile from the ocean only to find it still flooded and impassable. So no beach. Probably a good thing though because on our way back to the car, the wind started whipping up.
Sandblasted but super fun. My hiking boots have no PNW mud left on them whatsoever. It was a great place to play. Recommend!

This is a very fun and unique trail. It starts in the forest which brings you to the dunes. Most of the hike is spent crossing the dunes (which is awesome!) then into the forest again and ending on the beach. There are markers on the dunes but they are very difficult to find. If you find them right away it makes the hike very straightforward, if not you end up way off track like I did. But no matter how or how long it takes you to get to the beach, the entire trail is worth the effort.

The John Dellenback Trailhead is an interpretive trail and dunes area open to the public. One of the huge benefits of the trail is that there is no recreational vehicle use allowed there, so you don’t have to worry about being run over by a dune buggy or atv while taking in the beauty of the dunes. To get to the trail, take the turn for the eel creek campground and follow signs for the trailhead. There are bathroom facilities available. Make sure to purchase a pass– you can purchase a single day pass on location or purchase a yearly pass for all the Oregon state parks in Coos Bay at the visitor center for about $ 30.
If you are the active type, you can rent a sandboard and sandboard down the dunes, which is a lot of fun!
The trail begins in a wooded area and takes you down a path of dirt that gradually turns into sand as you arrive near the dunes. You see a lot of local plants and wildlife, and there are some exhibits to check out and rest spots with benches along the way. The trail will begin to take an upturn and then you will suddenly come out of the trees onto what looks like a huge desert… it is breathtaking! You can take the same way back on your way out or for some new sights take the trail located closer to the large mountain-​esque dune. Really good hike for kids– they love rolling down the dunes and feeling the sand between their toes. Just be sure you are okay with finding sand everywhere for the next month. Happy hiking!