Sand Lake Recreation Area, a popular off-highway vehicle site, includes
1,076 acres of
Siuslaw
National Forest
. The area is situated adjacent to the ocean beaches between Cape Lookout and
the mouth of the
Sand
Lake
estuary.
The climate at
Sand
Lake
has strong marine influences. Summers are cool and winters are moderate.
Westerly winds are predominant being 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.
Due to the popular user demand on Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day
weekends at
Sand
Lake
, 1,200 permits are available and required for each street legal, licensed
off-highway vehicle.
The dunes at
Sand
Lake
are an example of an extensive parabola dune system. The parabola dunes are a
roughly “U” shaped dune developed from breaks or “blowout” occurring
as the result of wind attack on an unstable vegetated point at the edge of a
coastal forest. The dunes and deflation plain are actively moving in the
northeast direction. Vegetation, consisting primarily of European beach grass
and shore pine, is constantly changing.
Elevation - 0 - 200 ft.
Directions:
Located
11 miles south of
Tillamook
,
Oregon. Travel east on Road 871/Sand
Lake
Road five miles, west on
Galloway Road
.
Sand
BeachCampground
- 101 sites, 60 reserved during peak season.
Tables, vault and flush toilets, fire rings,
drinking water, paved parking.
Reservation (www.reserveusa.com) on sites 1 through 60 between the May and
September. Fees - $16/night
DECIBEL LIMIT for Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is 93decibels.
Increased OHV use and the popularity of aftermarket mufflers means more
noise. Noise buffers are located between residential and recreational riding
areas, and are closed to motorized travel. As defined by state and federal
law, vehicle sound is measured by a decibel meter positioned 20 inches and
45 degrees from the exhaust outlet. Have your vehicle checked!
Forest
personnel are equipped to provide sound checks. Vehicles operating over 93db
are subject to citation.
RED or ORANGE FLAGS (8”x 12”) must be displayed 9 feet above the
ground on all vehicles when riding at the Oregon Dunes NRA.
OPERATORS of Class I and Class III ATVs that are younger than 18 must wear
a helmet approved by the Department of Transportation. Children under 18
years of age may operate a Class I ATV if they possess a valid driver’s
license or hold a Class I ATV operator permit; or they are accompanied by a
person at least 18 years old who has either a valid driver’s license, or a
valid Class I operator’s permit. Unlicensed Class III motorcycle operators
must be accompanied by a licensed or permitted operator, and have attended a
Class III safety training class. However, children seven years and younger
may not operate a motorcycle on public lands. Unlicensed children cannot
operate a Class II vehicle (dune buggy, full-size 4x4).
LIGHTS must be used in limited visibility (before sunrise, after sunset,
or when you cannot see clearly ahead for 100 feet).
WORKING BRAKES are required on all vehicles.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS are required to operate on any vehicle equipped with a
windshield.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, SEATS, AND SEAT BELTS FOR ALL PASSENGERS must be
available in dune buggies and full-size vehicles.
