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Western Snowy Plover Management Areas
The western snowy plover is a small shorebird that is federally listed as threatened, meaning the species is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without intervention. Western snowy plovers rely on Oregon beaches for survival, and during their critical nesting season of March 15-Sept. 15, we coordinate with Oregon State Parks and beachgoers to protect these vulnerable bird populations. By following nesting season restrictions and sharing the beach, you can help ensure plover chicks survive to adulthood.
Know Before You Go
Although many Oregon beaches are not inhabited by western snowy plovers, several are designated as plover nesting beaches. On these beaches, certain activities are limited from March 15 - Sept. 15 to prevent disrupting plover during their sensitive nesting season.
Visitors should pay attention to signs at beach access points identifying which types of beach activities are permitted and what areas are open. Designated trails that go through plover areas remain open; dogs are allowed on leash on these trails, but must stay on the trail and never enter protected plover areas. Visitors without dogs must remain on the trail, and once on the beach, only walk on the wet sand close to the water's edge. Dogs are not allowed on plover beaches between March 15 and September 15. Read more about western snowy plovers.
Map of Plover Nesting Areas in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
View a full map of plover nesting beaches in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Please locate year-round dog-friendly beaches here: North Coast Beaches | South Coast Beaches.
Prohibited Activities on Plover Beaches:
Prohibited Activities on Plover Beaches
- No vehicles, including OHVs
- No bicycles or non-motorized vehicles
- No kites or drones
- No dogs, even well-behaved dogs on leashes
- No camping
- No walking on the dry sand (walking permitted on wet sand near water’s edge only)
All dry sand beach areas are closed to entry in the areas listed below, except on designated trails. You may see portions of dry sand beaches and dunes roped off to protect known critical nesting areas, but dry sand both inside and outside of the ropes is closed. Plovers can nest very close to the rope line and occasionally on the outside of it. Staying on the wet sand helps reduce disturbance to nesting birds.
UPDATE: Weather patterns, tides, and an increase in plover numbers in recent years has resulted in nesting occurring in new or historical nesting sites, include at Sand Lake Recreation Area. Visitors to the Sand Lake beach area near the lake’s inlet and by the Fisherman’s Day Use Area may see areas roped off to protect nests and may encounter plover on the beach. Formal restrictions are not yet in place here, but beachgoers are encouraged to protect these birds by limiting their activity to wet sand, avoiding nesting areas, and keeping dogs on leash.
What Restrictions Apply?
Baker Beach and Sutton Area |
Beach Restrictions |
No Dogs (on or off leash), Vehicles, Bikes, Kites, or Drones |
|---|---|---|
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Users must remain on the trail and once on the beach walk on wet sand only, close to the water's edge. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Users must remain on the trail and once on the beach walk on wet sand only, close to the water's edge. Restrictions are located on Baker/Sutton Beaches. |
X |
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Siltcoos and Surrounding |
Beach Restrictions |
No Dogs (on or off leash), Vehicles, Bikes, Kites, or Drones |
|
Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Users must remain on the trail and once on the beach walk on wet sand only, close to the water's edge. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Users must remain on trail and once on beach go north (right) for no restrictions or south (left) for foot-only access to wet sand only along water's edge. Do not walk up river into the estuary. |
Dogs are allowed NORTH of Siltcoos Beach. |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Users must remain on the trail and once on the beach walk on wet sand only, close to the water's edge. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Users must remain on the trail and once on the beach walk on wet sand only, close to the water's edge. |
X |
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Oregon Dunes Day Use Area |
Beach Restrictions |
No Dogs (on or off leash), Vehicles, Bikes, Kites, or Drones |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Users must remain on the trail and once on the beach walk on wet sand only, close to the water's edge. |
X |
|
Tahkenitch and Surrounding |
Beach Restrictions |
No Dogs (on or off leash), Vehicles, Bikes, Kites, or Drones |
|
Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Users must remain on the trail and do not cut through estuary. Once on the beach walk on wet sand only, close to the water's edge, avoiding estuary. |
X |
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Tahkenitch Dunes-Threemile Lake North Trailhead |
Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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Starting 0.6 miles north of Sparrow Park Rd. and 2.6 miles south of Sparrow Park Rd. beach access, no motorized access and dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Users must remain on the trail and once on the beach walk on wet sand only, close to the water's edge. |
Dogs prohibited in dry and wet sand starting 0.6 miles north and 2.6 miles south of Sparrow Park Rd. beach access. |
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Umpqua Dunes Area |
Beach Restrictions |
No Dogs (on or off leash), Vehicles, Bikes, Kites, or Drones |
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Starting 2.9 miles south of beach access, dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Visitors may encounter ropes and signs on the beach. In this area ropes may be used to protect individual nests. Please recreate away from those areas. |
Dogs prohibited in dry and wet sand 1/4 mile south of the Douglas/Coos County line (at 2.9 mile mark). |
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Starting 1.8 miles south of beach access, dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Visitors may encounter ropes and signs on the beach. In this area ropes may be used to protect individual nests. Please recreate away from those areas. |
Dogs prohibited in dry and wet sand 1/4 mile south of the Douglas/Coos County line (at 1.8 mile mark). |
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Ten Mile Creek and Surrounding |
Beach Restrictions |
No Dogs (on or off leash), Vehicles, Bikes, Kites, or Drones |
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Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. |
X |
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John Dellenback Dunes Trailhead / John Dellenback Dunes Trail #1339 |
Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. Users must remain on the trail and once on the beach walk on wet sand only, close to the water's edge. |
X |
| Spinreel Campground | Dry sand areas on beach CLOSED March 15-September 15. | Dogs allowed on beach south of Spinreel I-beam sign. |
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Forest Order 06-12-04-23-01 Snowy Plover Dry Sand Closure Areas
Alerts & Warnings
- Tahkenitch Boat Ramp Closed for Repairs
- Use northern route to access Drift Creek Falls
- Potential high water at Old Bark Sand Camping
- Sweet Creek Falls Homestead Trail bridge failure
- Roads temporarily inaccessible for stream restoration
- Delays and temporary road closures for Forest Service Roads 3200, 2500, & 2127
- Intermittent forest road work and delays north of Hebo
- Forest Road 789 - Poor Condition