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Sandbeach Campground is ideal for off-road vehicle lovers with year-round access to nearly 1,100 acres of coastal sand dunes. The campground is part of the Sand Lake Recreation Area and home to the dune playground. The area is located along Oregon's North Coast, 15 miles southwest of Tillamook between Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. Recreation Off-road vehicle riding is the primary attraction for campers. The nearby Sand Lake Estuary offers fishing, swimming, crabbing, kayaking, hiking and wildlife viewing. The near-natural state of the 900-acre estuary provides a home to many species of waterfowl. Facilities Parking aprons are paved. Campground perks include drinking water, flush toilets, campfire rings and an off-road vehicle loading ramp. There are 81 total sites, sites 1-21 and 23-62 are reservable, all others are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Two adjacent campgrounds, East Dunes and West Winds, offer an additional 78 campsites (non-reservable). Natural Features The climate has strong marine influences with cool summers and moderate winters. The Sand Lake Area includes 1,076 acres of open sand dunes, surrounded by forests, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. ADA Access: N
To Access from Pacific City, OR: From Highway 101 take Brooten Road into Pacific City. Turn left onto Pacific Ave at four way stop. Drive over the bridge and turn right onto Cape Kiwanda Dr (2.3 miles). Veer left when it changes to Sandlake Road and stay on Sandlake Road for 5.2 miles. Turn left on Galloway Road and follow to the end (approximately 1 ½ miles).
To Access from Tillamook, OR: Located south of Tillamook, OR on Highway 101, 11 miles to County Road 871 (Sandlake Road). Turn right on County Road 871 (Sandlake Road) and travel 4 miles to stop sign. Turn left on County Road 871 (Sandlake Road), travel for 1 mile and turn right on Galloway Road. Site is at the end of Galloway Road (2.2 miles) in the Sandlake Recreation Area.
I always visit the beach access, not the campground. I find the campground to be a bit noisy and sometimes chaotic for my personal preference, just as a note. The beach access is stunning though! It takes a bit of a walk through the woods, unless the tide is out, to get to the bigger part of the beach, but the terrain through the shore pines is super easy to navigate. I find sand '50 cent pieces' (not whole sand dollars) every trip which is fun nonetheless. There's a small wash station to clean up when you're done and a public bathroom that pretty darn clean. Definitely worth a visit even if you aren't going to the dunes for off roading
Laid back campground. Easy walk to salt lake. Easy drive in. Our campground was sand and my son loved it. Cement picnic tables. There was a lot of little trash at our site when we arrived but the Easy access to ocean and lake made up for that. Cute ground squirrels and birds. Glad it had a separate area for just beach people. It was cool to see the crabs in the water. Most atv people were really chill and went straight to atv area but one group was endlessly reving in the campground. Very annoying. 5 miles from Cape Kiwanda (almost thought I was in California) which was absolutely gorgeous and surrounded by expensive and delicious restaurants. Bring all groceries before you arrive.
One of our favorite places to camp and ride the dunes! We've been camping and riding here for years...It's fun to meet up with other enthusiasts and have fun. BUT...
If you're not an ATV fan don't camp here!!
Loved camping here!!! We had a blast! The day use area has a Big Sandy Beach that is walking distance from the camp grounds. They have water spigots throughout which made it super helpful to wash the sand off. The campsites were nice and big with nice fire pits. it is right next to the sand dunes so if you have quads or ATVs this is a perfect place to go. Definitely planning to go back and Would definitely recommend to others
