Dunes Campgrounds, Day Use Sites, Sand Camps Closed Due to Flooding

Release Date: Jun 21, 2017

Contact(s): Oregon Dunes Visitor Center, 541-271-6000

Reedsport, OR – Some campgrounds, day use areas, and sand camps at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area are closed until further notice due to flooding. Portions of Horsfall Road have been under two or more feet of water for several months, and engineers have recently identified damage to the roadbed, which may no longer support the weight of vehicles trying to get through.

Until the water recedes and engineers are able to assess and repair damage to the roadbed, visitors can expect the following:

• No camping at Horsfall Beach, Bluebill, and Wild Mare campgrounds. Campgrounds are currently being gated and bathrooms locked. Anyone with an existing reservation will receive a cancellation notice. 
• Sandtracks, Horsfall Beach, Old Bark, and Bull Run day use sites are closed from the road. Horsfall Beach, Old Bark, and Bull Run sites will still be accessible by sand and bathrooms will remain open.
• Some sand camps in the Horsfall and Bull Run area are closed until further notice due to high water. Call the ONDRA headquarters or visit Recreation.gov to determine which camps remain open and   
•   reservable. Sand camp availability is also posted weekly at area fee stations.
• Horsfall Campground and Day Use Site remains open and accessible by road or sand as it is unaffected by the flooding.
• Horsfall Road is closed between Horsfall Campground and Old Bark Staging Area.

“I know these closures are disappointing to people who have been looking forward to visiting these sites, but unfortunately they’re necessary to ensure the safety of our visitors,” said Michele Jones, district ranger. “It is never safe to drive on roadways that are covered with water and Horsfall Road currently sits under about two feet of it. The road is now showing signs of damage, the full extent of which is currently unknown, making the risk to people and their vehicles trying to get through even greater.”

In addition to the closures on Horsfall Road, Carter Lake Campground and Carter Lake boat ramp north of Reedsport continue to be closed due to flooding until further notice. Both sites still have standing water and facilities have sustained some damages. 

There are many recreation areas on the dunes that remain accessible. For other options, visit our website to find other options for hiking, riding, and camping.  No matter what activity you’re interested in, it’s important to know what to expect before you go. For the most up to date information on what’s open and closed check out our forest alerts or call or visit any forest office.