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The Sand Lake Recreation Area is located along Oregon's North Coast, 15 miles southwest of Tillamook, OR between Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. It covers 1,076 acres of open dunes, surrounded by forests and adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. The Sand Lake Recreation Area is popular with OHV riders but offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Map of Sand Lake Recreation Area The Sand Lake Estuary, adjacent to the Sand Lake Recreation Area, provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, crabbing, kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The near-natural state of this 900-acre estuary provides a home to many species of waterfowl and access is available at Fisherman’s Day Use Area near the Sandbeach OHV Campground. The dunes begin at the estuary and extend to the northeast for about 3.5 miles. The dunes are surrounded on three sides by a coastal mixed-conifer forest and the west by the Pacific Ocean. The dunes are an example of an extended parabolic dune system. Dune vegetation is mostly European beach grass and shore pine. Find out more about coastal dunes from our Geology of Dunes page. The climate at Sand Lake has strong marine influences. Summers are cool and winters are moderate. Westerly winds predominate - from the northwest during the summer and from the southwest in the winter. These winds from the ocean bring heavy rainfall in the winter and fog in the summer. Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation
The Sand Lake Recreation Area is popular with Off-Highway Vehicle enthusiasts. It offers to ride on open dunes with access from campgrounds/day-use areas that are open year-round. Sand Lake has three developed campgrounds, a dispersed camping area, and a day-use staging area that allow access to the dunes and beach. A fee is required at all campgrounds, the day-use lot, and the open sand. Campgrounds fill up every weekend from May through September. Know the regulations before you arrive! The State of Oregon establishes and administers OHV permits and regulations. Regulations are strictly enforced by the Tillamook County Sheriff and the U.S. Forest Service.
Small though amazing! I'll forever come to sandlake. The Oregon Coast is the BEST! Ride or drive. Come on over 🏁
We love coming here, Sand Lake is our Favorite place to camp at we've been coming here for the past 10 years I'm not much for camping but we will always make the 4 hour drive one way to come here very dog friendly there are many restrooms within close range of the camping picnic areas my kids love it here also great for families
Sand lakes is a great place to visit for families that like to ride. It's small enough that you don't have to worry too much. If you expect peace amd quiet, you're in the wrong hobby.
It’s fun during the day but if you’re camping overnight, the banshees just don’t let you sleep. It could be 2 am or 3 pm and they still sound like trash. Lots of people riding trails the wrong way which is pretty scary. Sunsets are wild up on the hill tho.
Absolutely gorgeous sand dunes and trails! One of our very favorite memories exploring the Oregon coast was renting ATVs from Tsunami ATV rentals just up the road and riding them here near sunset. Going around the trees was a blast. Plenty of space for everyone to spread out and even stop to take in the ocean sunset view. Easy to park and get right on the dunes! **If you liked my review or found it to be helpful give it a thumbs up 👍 thanks!
