Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Visitor Center

We made a stop here to get information about the dunes. The staff was really helpful, informative, and provided tips on getting to there and the best views to see. They were locals and spot on. We wasted not time getting there and really enjoyed ourselves.

We stopped here for information in a 30′ RV. Lots of space to maneuver. The staff were very positive and helpful — one even had an RV of her own so we made sure to ask her for recommendations on how best to enjoy the area.
Chrissy even showed us a great island of trees in the dunes we now call «Chrissy’s Trees»

This visitor center is a great place to get information about the Oregon Dunes and all activities in the area. For RV’s they have fresh water available and a sewer dump (donation requested). Easy in and out access right off of Hey 101 and a large parking lot with a pet area. Convenient place to stop!

Using our coastal pass for national Recreation areas we parked at the Dunes and were not disappointed. The sand is soft as silk and so fun to run down and play in the sand. I can see why the area is so popular. Loved the dunes and natural beauty. It is a perfect spot for families.
Maryjane

First of all… do you know what dunes are? Big, giant walls of sand so high you feel like a little kid and have to fight the sudden urge to suddenly (screaming like a girl) run out of your car and climb to the top? Only to stop, see what’s on the other side or slide no, wait… ROLL down?
Did you know there are Dunes in Oregon? I did not… till I was in Oregon and drove by a sign that said «Dunes» and an arrow. (Guess I wasn’t that good at history… then again… did we even learn about this in history? Science? Art?)
America has some of the best state parks in the world yet no one ever talks about them… or maybe they talk about them and I never get to hear about them. Not like the Oregon Dunes were hiding but now that you are reading this… you know they exist and I’m suggesting you take a trip there and go see them.
Why?
3 reasons:
1) The Oregon Dunes are right next to the Ocean. So if you get bored of the Dunes (yeah…right) you can play, swim, boat in the water.
2) The resorts in and around the Oregon Sand Dunes are located in some of the best scenic areas on the coast!
3) There’s nothing like this in the USA — Mounds of sand to make you feel 10 again.
4) Florence. There is much to see in Florence Oregon and all over Oregon… Multnomah Falls, Sea Lion Caves, etc… but since I didn’t have time to see all those other places, (maybe next summer… so stay tuned, or get your own butt up there and report back on what needs to be reviewed!) I’m just telling you about them.
Go! See this place!

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is without a doubt one of the neatest locations in the United States! To get to the dunes you can take one of dozen of routes. It is such a huge area! To the north, recreation vehicles are permitted, to the south hiking only is permitted. To get to the dunes we typically take the Eel Creek campground hiking trail. It is a wooded trail that you follow for maybe .50 of a mile… maybe less depending on where you start, Then, after you have hiked a little ways, the trees disappear and the sky opens up to an massive golden sand dune in front of you.
Out of pure excitement we sprint towards this towering mound of fine sand only to be completely wasted and utterly exhausted only having made it up half way. We push past the pain of the ascent and march determinedly all the way to the peak, slipping here and there in the loose sand. Finally, we make it to the top to see sand as far as the eyes can see! Mounds and mounds! Giddy, as we usually are at this point, we throw caution to the wind and just run, tumble and slide all over the dunes. The kids end up getting so far away that they are merely specks in the distance and get lost in the dunes of sand. The wind picks up near the summits of the dunes and you can hear little over the hair whipping in your face.
The first time we did this hike we had no idea how long it was. We were a mile or so into it, heading towards the beach, when we realized we forgot our water bottles. The sun was beating down on us and we were exhausted. I felt like C-​3PO in Star Wars when he arrived on Tantooine. «What a desolate place this is… My joints are almost frozen!» Unfortunately there was no «Wait, what’s that? A transport! I’m saved! OVER HERE! HEY, HELP, PLEASE HELP!» C-​3PO had it good with those little Jawas. We, on the other hand, had to suffer to the beach and back… but it was soooo worth it! We had the beach almost completely to ourselves. I imagine very few people want to make the trek over the dunes to the beach as we did. It isn’t easy. But those willing and able to are richly rewarded with the a beautiful and nearly untouched beach.
Seriously, if you have two legs and are in reasonably good shape you simply MUST pay the dunes a visit! BTW, the address listed is the Visitor Center, and not right next to the Dunes. The Dunes are far to big to have an address as you can see if you view them on a map.