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Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
100.00 ft (30.48 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
2.70 mi (4.35 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Taylor Dunes and Carter Dunes trails transport hikers from the bustling coastal highway, across forest, wetland and dune, to the quiet roar of the Pacific Ocean. What makes this hike so special is that it's only accessible by foot, so it receives surprisingly few visitors. 

The Oregon Dunes Natural Recreation Area stretches for 40 miles along the central and southern Oregon coast. This hike explores a hiker-only portion of the area that is free from the noise of OHVs. From the trailhead, the trail travels through a forest with occasional views of the dunes that separate you from the ocean. Once the trail leaves the forest, you'll cross some grassy sand dunes and then enter the deflation plain.

Although beach grass looks quite at home in the Oregon sands, it is not native to the area. American and European beach grass help to form dunes that protect coastal homeowners from having sand swallow their beachfront property. But it also creates deflation plains, low-lying wetlands that destroy beach habitats for native birds and plants.

As you continue walking across the dunes, wetlands, and dense shrubs, the ocean gets closer and closer. At once the trail breaks free of the greenery and drops onto the broad, sandy beach.

You can make a semi-loop out of this hike by taking the Carter Dunes Trail all the way back to the Carter Lake Campground and walking back along the paved camp road to your car.

Beach access is restricted from March 15 through September 15 due to Snowy Plover nesting.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

NW Forest Pass

Pros

Solitude. Quiet beaches.

Cons

Trail floods in winter.

Trailhead Elevation

100.00 ft (30.48 m)

Features

Big vistas
Wildflowers

Location

Nearby Adventures

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

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A profound concept originally envisioned by governor Oswald West, in 1967 the Oregon legislature ultimately realized his vision of making the entire Oregon Coast forever open to the public in a piece of landmark legislation titled the Oregon Beach Bill, officially making all 363 miles public land. "The People's Coast" is truly a one-of-a-kind coastline, a unique blend of mountains and rocky stacks, towering old growth forests, marine sanctuaries, tide pools and kelp forests, charming towns, historic fishing communities, world-class golfing, breweries, and simply jaw-dropping scenic beaches. We encourage you to plan your next trip at visittheoregoncoast.com or by calling (541) 574-2679.

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