Siltcoos Sand Camping
The Siltcoos sand camping area is located about seven miles south of Florence. This unique area is an off-road enthusiast's dream: Several designated off-road vehicle routes crisscross the dunes and forests, and there is also a large open riding area to the north of Siltcoos Beach Road. In addition to off-road vehicle riding, visitors can enjoy beachcombing, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Siltcoos is located within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
There are 16 sand campsites in the Siltcoos area. The campsites are year-round and can only be accessed by 4X4 vehicles. Standard sites accommodate up to 20 people and five vehicles. The group site accommodates up to 40 people and 10 vehicles. This is a popular facility and reservations are required for all sites at all times of the year. Within each campsite, all vehicles and tents must be positioned within 150 feet of the campsite marker post.
This camping area is primitive and provides no water, restrooms, or campfire rings. Visitors must bring their own water, portable toilets, and fire pans.
Need to Know
Guidelines for a safe visit to the Siuslaw National Forest
The Siuslaw’s campgrounds, day use areas, and trails continue to be open for public enjoyment. While you are visiting the Forest, please adhere to the following guidelines. These guidelines will help ensure a safe and healthy visit for you and your family, our employees and volunteers, and other visitors:
By state orders, everyone age 5 and older must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth in indoor public spaces and outdoors when physical distancing of 6 feet is not possible.
Restrooms that are open are generally cleaned and disinfected at least once daily at the more popular campgrounds and day use sites, and once to three times a week at other sites.
Be prepared for limited or no services, including no trash collection at recreation sites. Be prepared to provide your own soap, sanitizer, or disinfectant.
If no trash receptacle is provided, please protect your public lands by packing out your waste and trash.
The state has issued a travel advisory recommending that visitors from out of state (including Oregon residents returning from another state or country) should self-quarantine for 14 days after their arrival.
For more information on COVID-19 in Oregon, please visit: https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19
Due to the recent influx of recreationists on the Siuslaw National Forest, Forest Service-operated campgrounds went to 100% online reservations as of August 3rd. This change allows us to continue providing camping opportunities to the public while still mitigating COVID concerns.
Visitors can make reservations online through this website (preferred), or via phone by calling the recreation.gov phone line at 877-444-6777. If you call this number, please be prepared for longer-than-usual wait times. Please note that the Siuslaw National Forest does not have any control over the recreation.gov phone line, so we ask you to please prepare by making reservations well in advance.
- Access is by 4X4 on soft sand only
- Camp only within designated sites and within 150 feet of the site marker
No drinking water, restrooms, or fire rings; please bring all necessary equipment including water, portable toilets, and fire pans
- Please bring garbage bags; this is a 'pack it in, pack it out' facility
- Alcohol is prohibited
- State of Oregon OHV permit required for off-road vehicle use
All motorized vehicles on sand must adhere to Oregon OHV regulations; click here for information
The sound limit at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is 93 decibels
- Click here for more information on the Siuslaw National Forest
- Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
- Snowy plovers, a threatened species of small coastal bird, has a designated nesting habitat on Siltcoos Beach. Beach access in nesting area restricted during Snowy Plover nesting season (March 15-September 15). The USFS coordinates with Oregon State Parks and beach goers to protect these threatened birds during a very sensitive time.
Natural Features
Campsites are located directly on the sand. The dunefield is known for its wind-sculpted sand dunes towering hundreds of feet above sea level. Throughout the Siltcoos area, open sand dunes are interspersed with coastal forest. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area features the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America.
Snowy plovers, a threatened species of small coastal bird, have a designated nesting habitat on Siltcoos Beach. Seasional closures apply.
Nearby Attractions
Additional nearby hiking opportunities include Siltcoos Lake Trail, Taylor Dunes Trail, and Tahkenitch Creek Trail. For a change of scenery, off-road vehicle enthusiasts can check out the riding areas at South Jetty. For boating and fishing, visit Siltcoos Lake, Carter Lake, or Sutton Lake.
Recreation
Off-road vehicle riding is the primary attraction in the Siltcoos area, with miles of designated trail and a large open riding zone. Elsewhere, Stagecoach Hiking Trailhead provides access to several non-motorized trails, including the accessible Lagoon Trail and the longer Waxmyrtle Trail. The Waxmyrtle Trail meanders through coastal shore pine forests and follows the Siltcoos River to the beach.
Visitors also enjoy playing in the surf and birding at the beach. A variety of shorebirds are often spotted on the shore. Seasonal whale-watching is also a popular activity.
Changes & Cancellations
Normally, a campsite will be released to first-come, first-serve status if it is not occupied within the first 24 hours of the arrival time on the reservation. This campground does not have any first-come, first-serve sites available at this time; with this in mind, the 24-hour arrival policy is temporarily suspended until further notice.
Contact Information
Mailing
Oregon Dunes Visitor Center 855 HIGHWAY 101 Reedsport OR 97467
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 541-271-6000
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Florence, Oregon, travel about 7 miles south on Highway 101 to the Siltcoos Beach Access Road. Turn right (west) onto the Siltcoos Beach Access Road and proceed 1.3 miles to the Driftwood II Campground entrance. Turn right onto the access road and continue straight to reach the sand (do not turn into the campground).
Off-road vehicle trails can also be accessed from the Siltcoos Beach staging area, which is another 0.3 miles further west on the Siltcoos Beach Access Road.
Available Campsites
- Site 022, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop SILT, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop SILT, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop SILT, Type Standard Nonelectric
