Oregon Dunes-beach camping?

[HanksLBZ]

Hello all,
I am planning a week long trip in early November. I am thinking Winchester Bay, Coos Bay or around Florence. I have never been there before but would like to camp in the dunes and ride our quads from camp. Can anyone give me information on which area might be better and where to stay?
Thanks everyone.

[discovery4us]

That is the nice part of Boxcar. Wide open, no obstacles and a decent view of the McCullough bridge.

[HanksLBZ]

Thanks Y-guy. Thats some good info.

[nwcutie]

Honeyman is awesome for Florence! We are headed there in December.

I like Riley Ranch too for Coos. Lot of whoops to go south though. Boxcar Hill Campground is another option for the south coos dunes. It has hookups and my rig fits there better than Horsfall.

http://www.boxcarhillcampground.com/

[Y-Guy]

Congrats, we camped at Honeyman for about 10 years in a row. Few thoughts for you. Bring extra hose and spray nozzel, if you want to rinse your toys off. Make sure you lock EVERYTHING up at night and if you leave, ATVs & gas cans, even your beer cooler. There is a wood shed near the exit to the dunes; wood isn't always the best so as you drive through Glenada there are several places that sell wood a better prices and usually drier too. If you need ATV parts the Florence Yamaha/Polaris store has a great stock. Liquor is sold in State liquor stores, there is one up near Safeway. If you don't want anything fancy after day of riding Mo's Clam Chowder in old town is pretty good. Whatever you do don't park your ATVs on the dirt at the campsite; it's about the only time I've seen the Rangers go off on anyone (I got yelled at once while unloading).

Have fun!

[HanksLBZ]

I booked a site in Jesse Honeyman SP in Florence. I will post an update after we return. Thanks for all the info everyone.

[N-Trouble]

CA registration is valid in Oregon. Honestly the time of year your going your likely not going to see s single ranger.

[HanksLBZ]

DuneJunkie, thanks for the list. I will look into these.

[HanksLBZ]

Wow, so much info., thanks everyone. Thanks Y-guy for the riding info. I did research it a little but didn't know about the ATV rider course. I did see that they will accept our Reg. stickers (I think) as long as CA reciprocates. Then I thought I read that we would need something else for reg. while we were there.

[DuneJunkie]

N-Trouble wrote:
If staying at Winchester and want hookups Discovery Point would be my last choice. They pack em in there so tight it doesn't appeal to me. Have driven the Rhino through there a couple of times but didn't care for it. If you want hookups at Winchester stay at Windy Cove IMO. Much cleaner, nicer and spread out.

Also while in Winchester checkout the lighthouse up on top of the hill. Its pretty cool and they offer daily tours. Winchester also has some of the best oysters if that's your thing. They farm them right there off the jetty and you can buy fresh at the end of the pier.

Only trouble with being at Windy Cove is running paddle tires all that way to the sand. Pretty tough on pricey tires...just my. 02. and yes, DP can get way too small if you have a decent sized trailer or a fair amount of toys.
Also, yes, the lighthouse should be a stop for everyone! and the oysters are amazing!

[N-Trouble]

If staying at Winchester and want hookups Discovery Point would be my last choice. They pack em in there so tight it doesn't appeal to me. Have driven the Rhino through there a couple of times but didn't care for it. If you want hookups at Winchester stay at Windy Cove IMO. Much cleaner, nicer and spread out.

Also while in Winchester checkout the lighthouse up on top of the hill. Its pretty cool and they offer daily tours. Winchester also has some of the best oysters if that's your thing. They farm them right there off the jetty and you can buy fresh at the end of the pier.

[Y-Guy]

Great list!

DuneJunkie wrote:

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=95
My #10 have stopped in here, decent sites, sand access, no hook ups, close to Florence

I'll disagree but that is only to mention a few things. Honeyman is a great campground for ATVs in the off-season, October-April. During that time the H Loop gate is opened up for direct access to the sand dunes. All the sites in H loop have water & power, some of the sites also have sewer hook-ups. The H Loop sites were expanded a few years ago, adding extra asphalt to make parking wider allowing the RV & ATVs. They are pretty assertive about keeping ATVs off the dirt.

Sand Lake - never been there, never intend to go, very small, way over crowded, and too many accidents w/ injuries and deaths, too many people in a very small riding area - just my opinion.

I agree, it's not bad during the week but on weekends it's crazy busy. Been there once. They also have erected wood pole fences everywhere. This can make it next to impossible to get your larger RV into some of the sites.

[DuneJunkie]

There are really 5 sand dune riding areas on the Oregon Coast.

I have highlighted each one, and listed the campgrounds that have dune access to those dunes.
If there are any questions feel free to email me back....


Horsefall
http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/horsfall/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70453
My #6 Not a bad place to ride, can be windy, but lots of dunes, popular, make rsvp early. No hook ups at the camp ground

http://koa.com/campgrounds/oregon-dunes/
My #7 Nice small campground, expensive, but full hook ups, a bit or a ride to get on the sand, not my choice of a place to stay

Spinreel (is connected to the Horsefall/Coos Bay dunes) http://www.co.coos.or.us/Departments/CoosCountyParks/RileyRanch.aspx
my #2 place on the coast, power & water hook ups, HUGE campsites, paved access roads, cheap rates, access to lots of dunes, close to coos bay / north bend, and you can ride on the beach

http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/spinreel/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=73812
my #3 place on the coast, no hook ups, sites are small if you have a larger toyhauler or rv, easy access to the dunes and you can ride on the beach

http://www.myrtlewood-hauserrvpark.com/
My #5 haven't stayed here, large parking lot with decent sites, a bit of distance to the sand, no hook ups, can be REALLY busy on holiday weekends, close to coos bay / north bend,

http://www.co.coos.or.us/Departments/CoosCountyParks/RileyRanch.aspx
Riley Ranch OHV-Park
My #2 place on the coast, power & water hook ups, great campground, off-season rates, cabins too.
BIG sites for those with big haulers, and lots of toys.
Direct access to the sand.

Winchester Bay
http://www.co.douglas.or.us/parks/view_park.asp?id=57&features=&cnt=
my #1 place on the coast, no hook ups, large pull through sites, good camp host, close to Reedsport, easy access to the dunes, no beach riding, great dunes if you like big hill climbs and awesome views of the ocean

http://www.discoverypointresort.com/
My #4 not a bad place, pull through spots with full hook ups, some spots get small and it can get very busy and crowded, close to Reedsport, easy access to the dunes

Florence
http://www.reserveamerica.com/facilityDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70452
My #8 Not a favorite place of mine, no hook ups, basically just a large open parking lot with SMALL skinny sites, not a fan of the dunes, LOTS of wind, a bit out of town if you need supplies, dunes are usually very windy and can have lots of razorbacks from the wind, campground

http://www.sanddunesfrontier.com/
My #9 never been here

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=95
My #10 have stopped in here, decent sites, sand access, no hook ups, close to Florence

Sand Lake - never been there, never intend to go, very small, way over crowded, and too many accidents w/ injuries and deaths, too many people in a very small riding area - just my opinion.

[jandjbaums]

GT Roach wrote:
I have often stayed at Windy Cove at Winchester Bay and it is still $23 full hook up including cable and there is a ATV right of way to the dunes. It is probably the best wind sheltered RV park at Winchester and is a real bargain.

Will have to check into that one.

[GT_Roach]

I have often stayed at Windy Cove at Winchester Bay and it is still $23 full hook up including cable and there is a ATV right of way to the dunes. It is probably the best wind sheltered RV park at Winchester and is a real bargain.