Recreation and the dunes today

The Oregon dunes are a recreation destination for thousands of visitors each year. Off-road vehicle riding, on dune buggies, ATVs and pick-up trucks, is a popular activity for families and thrill-seekers alike — people come from around the country to ride these famous dunes.

For those seeking a quieter experience, the dunes offer hiking, fat-tire biking and horseback riding, as well. Each summer, dunes campgrounds fill up with visitors who come to experience this unique and beautiful environment.

The loss of the dunes isn’t just an ecological loss. As a popular visitor destination, the dunes are an economic driver for local communities who rely on the income from thousands of tourists flocking to restaurants, hotels and shops.

People who ride the dunes have noticed dramatic changes to the landscape in just their lifetime – areas of open sand, that are the real riding attraction, are shrinking each year as invasive plants spread. The recreation and tourism community recognize that restoring the dunes is critical, not just for the plants and wildlife but for the people who are also sustained by this place.

More information on recreation opportunities around the Oregon dunes can be found on the Siuslaw National Forest website.