Oregon Dunes Loop Hike

Visitors to the Oregon Dunes Day Use Area marvel at the beautiful wind-carved hills and valleys of sand below, and they often see the tiny forms of hikers traversing the sand in the distance. For those with a few hours to spare, the hiking trails from the day use area offer marvelous options to really experience this unique environment up close. From this trailhead there are two main options. The 2-mile round-trip out to the beach and back is fairly easy and also fairly popular. Those who want a longer hike and more solitude will really enjoy the full loop hike. The hikes share the first leg along a fairly-level and hard-packed trail to the beach. The full loop involves walking south along the beach for about 1.5 miles to the obvious exit point through the dunes. From here the trail crosses an area of shrubs and trees that is fairly easy before entering the open dunes following large post markers. Much of this last 2-mile leg is walking through deep sand, and it can get somewhat tiring, but the dunes are magnificent and the experience is definitely memorable.