Alder Dune Campground, Central Coast, Oregon

Alder Dune Campground

Siuslaw National Forest \ Central Coast Ranger District

Alder Dune Campground, in the Siuslaw National Forest, is about 6 miles north of Florence, Oregon, along Hwy 101.  It is set in a coastal forest between Alder and Dune lakes.  These lakes are stocked several times a year with medium, large and trophy trout.  The Forest Service manages the day use parking area on Dune Lake.  There is a fee to park but you may also use any approved day use pass in lieu of the fee.  Display it on your dashboard.  Leave your vehicle and walk to Alder Lake in the north campground loop.  Campsites must be left available for campers, so be sure to check with the host for rules about parking in campsites.

A 3 mile, difficult, hike takes you over sand dunes and through a creek to get to the beach.  An easier way to enjoy the beach is to drive there.  Be sure to get a car pass from the Campground Host.  It is an approved day use pass in all the state and federal areas on the coast; saving you additional parking fees.

Baker Beach is just a mile north.  Turn west on Baker Beach Rd just after the horse stables.  Or, better yet, schedule a horseback ride on the beach and over the dunes.  The stretch of Hwy 101 from Alder Dune to Waldport is some of the most scenic of the Oregon Coast.  Sea Lion Caves, Heceta Head Lighthouse, Rock Creek Wilderness, Cummins Creek and Cape Perpetua Scenic Area are all concentrated in this short 25 miles.  There are lots of pull-outs for whale watching and access to the beach for exploring the tidepools and agate hunting.  The next fuel station is Yachats; about 20 miles north of Alder Dune.

To the south is the bustling town of Florence, home of the famous Mo's Seafood in Old Town on the Siuslaw River.   Florence has the cheapest fuel in the state so fuel up here before you head out.  Other things you'll find in Florence: groceries, antiques, dune buggy rides, sand boarding and a casino.  Take Heceta Beach Road out to the county park to enjoy a day at the beach (the county does not accept you campground car pass in lieu of the day use fee).

Click here for campground map.

Alder Lake Hiking Trail

Hiking trails around Alder Lake.

Alder Dune Campground Sign

89630 Hwy 101

Florence, OR 97439

Alder Dune Campground sign, on the west side of Hwy 101, north of Florence, Oregon

Fishing Dune Lake

Alder and Dune lakes are stocked with small, large and trophy-size trout.

Great Blue Heron

People aren't the only ones who like to fish in Alder Dune Campground

Some Campsites Border Alder Lake

Campsites are mostly shaded and some border Alder Lake.

Coastal Forest

Alder Dune Campground is set in a coastal forest.  Dense foliage provides good separation between sites.

Romantic Getaway

We call this the Honeymoon Suite of Alder Dune Campground because it is so private.  But children also like it because they feel like they are in a "fort" where you have to cross the mote on the bridge.

Trail Map

This is a map of the trails within the Sutton Recreation Area

Bike Camper

Although the Oregon State Parks have bike camps, where you share picnic and fire rings for a reduced rate, Alder Dune has no such facilities.  Alder Dune is a National Forest campground, not a state park.

Level Campsites

Most campsites are level but some more so than others.  We allow tents, trailers, RVs, bikes and hikers.

Fit for an RV

Alder Dune has campsites with short and long parking spaces.  Some are reservable during the summer months, others are strictly first-come-first-served.  There are no electric or water hookups in the campground.

Vault Toilets

There are 2 vault toilets in the Alder loop and 2 in the Dune Loop of the campground.  On-site campground hosts keep them sweet-smelling and sparkling clean. 

Campground Map

Alder Dune Campground map shows lakes, trails, restrooms, where to get drinking water and find the Host.

Follow the link for more camping on the Oregon central coast.