Backpack the Oregon Coast Dunes

This section of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is one of the largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world, and is home to many incredible species of flora and fauna, including the Snowy Plover and coastal strawberries. You’ll hike through the lands of the Siuslaw and Quuiich (or Lower Umpqua) tribes. Their legends of the area describe two young men from the Sky World who laid down blue clay, tule mats, and eagle feathers to create the land, sands, and trees respectively.

As part of the Siuslaw National Forest, these Oregon Dunes trails weave between stretches of lush forest and vast beaches. You’ll camp alongside vibrant lakes, hike & play on dunes up to a mile long and 500 feet above sea level, and see spectacular views of our Central Coast. Learn to recognize plants like the swee-smelling Sand Verbena, invasive European Beachgrass, and towering Sitka Spruce. Keep an eye out for bald eagles, black-tailed deer, sea lions, and northern spotted owls as you explore this Pacific wonderland.  

The first day of your trip you’ll drive about 3.5 hours to the trailhead with the other groups that’ll be in the area with you, and camp at a nearby campground. For four days you will backpack through great dunes and forests with your small group, and camp beside freshwater lakes and rivers. You will be carrying a backpack that will weigh somewhere between 40 and 60 lbs, depending on your equipment and your physical condition. The trails are occasionally steep as you summit the dunes, and are rated easy to moderate with elevations ranging from sea level to ~3,000 feet. On average, the group expects to hike about 4-7 miles per day carrying full backpacks, with options for additional day hikes, and a possible layover day in the middle of the trip. Not everyone in the group will want to hike at the same speed, so we’ll do what is best for the group when it comes to pace, routes, campsites, and day hikes.

We’ll work together to prepare meals, carry group equipment, and perform camp tasks. For sleeping accommodations, we provide your choice of single-person tents, shared tent space, or personal “bivy sacks,” which allow you to stay cozy and dry while sleeping out under the stars. We practice minimum impact camping techniques such as packing out all litter and food waste, not using soap directly in streams or lakes, and not camping on fragile ecosystems. We’ll go over these practices during the trip.

August weather in the Pacific Northwest is usually beautiful, but along the coast the weather can be sunny and 80° F at noon, then be heavily raining by 4 p.m. Nights are generally cool, and the temperature ranges around 40° to 50°. While August is one of the drier months in the Pacific Northwest, it’s possible to experience significant storms for several days, so participants should bring (or borrow) good rain gear

• No backpacking experience required! We’ll teach you everything you need to know. This trip is designed for beginners and perfect for any adventurous spirit who wants to explore, bond with a small-group of peers, and see some of the Pacific Northwest’s most spectacular trails.
• Prep for the pack: Borrow a backpack (any size), fill it with 4-gallon (1 gal. = 8 lbs) jugs and take a walk! It will feel heavy at first but don’t worry - it gets easier! You can learn how to fit your pack properly so that the weight is on your hips. You can start off with just a little extra weight, and gradually increase throughout the summer, up to 20% of your body weight.
• Break in your hiking boots: If you are getting new-to-you boots for this trip, you’ll want to wear them around in the weeks leading up to the trip. New boots + long treks = painful blisters. It is very important to break in your boots by wearing them with a pack for extended periods prior to your trip.
• Get moving: It’s a great idea to walk or run this summer to get yourself into shape. This trip is rated as high physical rigor. Start of slow but add more distance and weight to your practice backpack throughout the summer so that you can be comfortable hiking 4-6 miles for days on end, with a backpack that weighs approximately 20% of your total body weight.

We will be cooking on backcountry stoves and we eat well on this trip! Some examples of typical meals include: curry, pizza, and mac & cheese. We’ll resupply water from streams and lakes and use filters and treatment to neutralize Giardia, bacteria, and viruses

This trip can accommodate most dietary restrictions and allergies, as long as you let us know about them ahead of time. For vegan and other non-medical specialty diets, there is an additional charge. There is no extra cost for vegetarian diets or medical diet restrictions.