Horse Riding

Horse Riding Areas

• Florence to Coos Bay

  The landscape changes south of Florence, although the most dramatic change, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, is often hidden from view.

  The 47-mile long and one-mile wide sandbox has areas designated for bird watching and dune riding. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, more than 31,000 acres, offers a place for everyone. You can camp, arrange a tour, take an exhilarating off-highway vehicle ride, walk along tranquil lakes, forest trails and beaches, and much more.

  Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a destination site, drawing people from around the Northwest and across the country. Highway 38 offers connections to the southern Willamette Valley and the city of Eugene, or on to Roseburg via Highway 138.

• Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

  The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a special place. One of the largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world, the stark, mist-shrouded views of dunes, forests, and ocean in such close proximity to one another are rare and hauntingly beautiful. Many plants and animals, including some found in few other places, call this area home. In 1972, Congress designated this 31,500-acre portion of the Siuslaw National Forest as a National Recreation Area in recognition of its unique values. Learn more about the geology of the dunes here.

  Adventure and solitude await! Among the tree islands, open dunes, wetlands, and beaches you will find Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) riding (experience it with Google Trekker), hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing, birding, camping, picnicking, sand play - the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area has it all.

  Be a Friend to Snowy Plovers! Share the Beach March 15 – September 15

  During snowy plover nesting season (March 15 - September 15) we coordinate with Oregon State parks and beachgoers to protect these threatened birds during a very sensitive time. By following nesting season restrictions and sharing the beach, you can help ensure plover chicks survive to adulthood.

  Dunes areas from north to south

  • South Jetty: South Jetty provides day use access to beach and dunes, with separate areas for OHV and non motorized use.
  • Siltcoos: Along the Siltcoos River are traditional campgrounds and easy trails along the river and to the beach. OHV users will find developed and dispersed camping opportunities.
  • Oregon Dunes Day Use: Miles from OHV recreation, this area provides exceptional opportunities to explore the dunes on foot.
  • Tahkenitch: With easy access off Hwy 101, traditional campgrounds provide lake access for boaters and dune access for hikers only.
• Siltcoos Area

  

  Along the Siltcoos River are two traditional campgrounds.

  Stagecoach Trailhead provides access to several trails, including the accessible Lagoon trail and the longer Waxmyrtle trail, which meanders through the coastal shore pine forests and along the river to the beach.

  OHV users will find a direct sand access campground as well as dispersed OHV Sand Camping available by permit. Please see OHV Rules for Riding before heading out.

  For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest National Forests, visithttp://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/accessiblerecreation

• Siltcoos Beach Day Use OHV Staging

  Siltcoos Beach Day Use and OHV Staging Area provides paved parking for direct pedestrian beach access, as well as off-highway vehicle (OHV) staging and access to the beach (via Coast Guard North OHV Trail) and open riding opportunities in the Siltcoos area.

• South Jetty Area

  

  South Jetty area provides day use access to the beach and dunes, with separate areas for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use and non-motorized use.

  Walkers and hikers can enjoy miles of open beach and explore dune formations above the Siltcoos River.

  OHV enthusiasts will find two developed staging areas and access to a dozen dispersed sand campsites available by permit. Please see OHV Rules for Riding before heading out.

• Goosepasture OHV Staging Area

  Located less than a mile from Florence, OR, this popular OHV staging area can be accessed from South Jetty Road.

  This large paved parking area can accomodate longer trailers, but can often be full by mid-morning during the busy summer season and sunny weather weekends. OHV riders have access to large open sand dunes, designated OHV trails through vegetated areas as well as the beach.

  Goosepasture Staging also provides access to South Jetty Sand Camping sites.

  A noise buffer OHV closure is in place on the eastern boundary of the riding area due to proximity to nearby residential areas and adjacent non-motorized recreation areas.

• Spinreel to Horsfall Area

  

  Predominantly used by off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts, this is the Oregon Dunes' largest and most diverse riding area. South of Horsfall Beach Road, areas are open only to horse back riding and hiking. Horsfall Beach Road leads to both motorized and non-motorized opportunities.  At the road’s end, beach viewing and access are available.

  Horsfall Beach Campground provides OHV camping, day use and parking for beach access.  Bull Run OHV Staging Area and Old Bark Road OHV Staging Area provide direct sand access, as well.  Spinreel, located at the northernmost end of the Horsfall OHV riding area, has direct sand access and designated OHV Sand Camping sites as well as an OHV campground and day use staging area.

  Designated OHV routes lead riders through coastal forests and open dunes to the beach. OHV beach riding areas are located south of the Tenmile OHV Trail beach access point.

  

  Wild Mare Campground, day use and trail, Bluebill Campground and trail and Sandtracks Day Use are all located within non-motorized areas. Wild Mare Campground, day use and trail are managed for equestrian use.

  A wheelchair-accessible viewing platform at Horsfall Beach Day Use provides a 360 degree view of the dunes, beach and ocean.

• Wild Mare Day Use
• Wild Mare Horse Trail #4500
• Umpqua Dunes Area

  

  The Umpqua Dunes area provides something for everyone!

  Hikers will find areas to explore the dunes, walk the beach, and view the ocean. An easy walk from the Umpqua #2 and #3 OHV staging areas brings you to a stretch of beach closed to off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. You can also explore the area's largest and most expansive dunes at nearby John Dellenback Trail and Eel Creek Campground.

  OHV enthusiasts will find two large day use staging areas, reservable sand camping sites, and nearby OHV facilities managed by Douglas County Parks. Please see OHV Rules for Riding before heading out.

• Umpqua Beach #2 Day Use /OHV Staging Area
• Newport to Florence

  The central section of the Siuslaw National Forest finds the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway (Highway 101) moving closer to the Pacific Ocean providing outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean and plenty of publicly owned beaches to explore.

  Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, located between Newport and Florence, offers the Forest visitor a chance to wander through old-growth Sitka Spruce, experience crashing surf, investigate tide pools, whale watch or take a guided hike.

  Check out a haunted lighthouse keeper’s home at Heceta Head. Try boating, fishing, hiking to waterfalls, berry picking and more.

  Inland are more recreational opportunities, including Marys Peak, in the Coast Range. Highways 20, 34 and 126 offer connections to the mid and southern Willamette Valley and the cities of Corvallis and Eugene.

• Baker Beach Trail #1368
• Baker Beach Trailhead
• Cape Mountain Trails #1329
• Lily Lake Trail #1397
• Tillamook to Newport

  A visitor to the Siuslaw National Forest traveling from Tillamook to Newport will find farmland, rolling hills,  sand dunes at Sand Lake Recreation Area, and by choosing the Three Cape Scenic Loop, gorgeous headlands with fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean.

  Moving inland, the Forest is lush, wet and green. Visitors can hike, camp, picnic or ride their off-highway vehicle. Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, transports travelers from Tillamook to Newport with connecting routes of Highways 22 and 18 to Portland and Salem.

• Mt. Hebo Area

  The Mt. Hebo Area provides visitors with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and coastal valleys, interpretive information, camping, hiking, horse back riding and fishing.

  The Mt. Hebo Area is host to the Oregon silverspot butterfly, a sensitive species that lives in  the meadows of Mt. Hebo. 

• Mt Hebo Horse Trailhead
• Pioneer-Indian Trail #1300