Oregon Dunes Overlook and Day Use

Oregon Dunes Overlook and Day Use sits at mile 196 along the Pacific Coast byway, at an elevation of 138 feet, with the land dropping 115 feet within 600 meters ahead. The view faces 270°, directly toward the sunset line, looking out over the dunes and the Pacific Ocean. Wheelchair-accessible viewing platforms allow visitors to take in the dunes without leaving the paved area, and the Oregon Dunes Loop Trail continues paved for a half-mile to a viewing area before descending into the sand. From there, a fairly level, hard-packed trail leads about 2 miles round-trip to the beach, or hikers can extend the route by walking about 1.5 miles south along the beach before returning through the dunes on marked posts. This section is closed to off-highway vehicles, so the dunes transition forest and beach approach remain open to foot traffic only. Florence lies 10.4 miles north-northeast, while North Bend and Coos Bay are 29.8 and 32.4 miles south, respectively. The Siuslaw Vista Day Use lies before this stop, and Meyers Creek Beach Viewpoint follows along the route.