Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Porter Stage Lines ( 541-269-7183; www.porterstageline.com ) has daily buses to Coos
Bay and Eugene. Within town, hop on the Rhody Express (
541-902-5067; www.ltd.org/
rhody ) , which runs hourly 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Stretching for nearly 50 miles between Florence and Coos Bay, the Oregon Dunes form
the largest expanse of oceanfront sand dunes in the USA. The dunes tower up to 500ft
and undulate inland as far as 3 miles to meet coastal forests, harboring curious ecosys-
tems that sustain an abundance of wildlife, especially birds. The area inspired Frank Her-
bert to pen his epic sci-fi Dune novels.
The very northern and southern sections of the dunes are dominated by dune buggies
and dirt bikes (off-highway vehicles, or OHVs); avoid hiking in these areas. It's possible
to rent vehicles south of Florence and around Winchester Bay. The central section of the
dunes is closed to OHVs, and instead preserved for wildlife and more peaceful human
activities such as hiking and canoeing.
Activities
A day-use fee of $5 is required at the trailheads listed below. Or buy a $30 Northwest
Forest Pass at the Oregon Dunes NRA Visitors Center in Reedsport.
From the Stagecoach Trailhead (look for the 'Siltcoos Recreation Area' sign 7 miles
south of Florence), three short trails along a river and wetlands afford good wildlife
viewing. One of these, the Waxmyrtle Trail , winds to the beach for 1.5 miles along the
Siltcoos River, where herons, deer and waterfowl can be seen. Other trails lead to a fresh-
water lagoon or up to a forested vista point.
At Carter Lake Campground, 12 miles north of Reedsport, the Taylor Dunes Trail
leads a half-mile to a viewing area. You can hike beyond here through dunes to meet the
Carter Dunes Trail and head to the beach (3 miles round-trip). The Oregon Dunes Day
Use Area , about 2-miles south, has good viewing platforms and also serves as a trailhead
for a 2-mile round-trip hike to the beach.
The challenging 6-mile loop Tahkenitch Dunes Trail starts from Tahkenitch Camp-
ground, 8 miles north of Reedsport. You'll reach the beach in about 2 miles, then walk
south about a mile to signs for the Threemile Lake Trail , which returns to the camp-
ground via a freshwater lake and deep forests.
 
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