If you really want to get away from it all, head to the Taylor Dune trail in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA) between Reedsport and Florence. In this vehicle-free section of the Dunes, you’re not likely to encounter any other visitors this time of year. That’s partly because the trail is adjacent to the closed-for-the-season USFS Carter Lake campground, and thus gets little use. In addition, the trail to the beach is deeply flooded in winter and spring, thus eliminating potential visits by anyone with a yen for a beachwalk.
I’ve always gotten the feeling that the Taylor Dune area used to be something pretty special, until it got so overgrown with European beachgrass and Scotch Broom. There is, however, one vast space still uninvaded, although you have to veer off the official trail to check it out. And it’s out in this pure-dune area that you’ll find real solitude – not even any other footprints.
If the whole area around Taylor Dune was like this once upon a time, no wonder it was set aside when the ODNRA was laid out in the 1970s. Seeing this remnant slice of open sand is well worth the visit. You can make part of the hike into a loop. The beach trail, however, is as noted deeply flooded this time of year, so come equipped for that or save a beach walk for another day and place. And just enjoy the pristine Dunes.
Getting There
From the intersection of US 101 and Highway 38 in Reedsport, go north on US 101 about 12.7 miles and turn left (W) at the sign for Carter Lake Campground and Taylor Dune trail. As mentioned, the campground is closed for the season but the area is open for day-use. A $5 day-use permit or annual pass is required.
From the day-use parking area, the trail goes north into a forest of tall timber and skirts the edge of pretty little Taylor Lake. There’s a wooden viewing platform at 0.12 mile, then the trail begins a gentle ascent through a forest of spruce, shorepine, fir and the occasional madrone. The understory is dense with huckleberry, salal and rhododendron, among other flora.
At 0.35 mile the trail splits, with the left path leading in a short distance to a picnic table and overlook. The main trail is to the right, with a short sidetrail to a viewpoint bench. The trail reaches open sand. Just past that is an unmarked trail to the south.
The main trail is marked with the blue-banded posts. It meanders west through beachgrassy hummocks and at 0.92 mile comes to a “T” intersection. A sign indicates the way ahead to Carter Lake Campground. To the right, although not signed, is the way to the beach – and the flooded zone.
From the “T” intersection, go on the trail to the south, skirting brushy dunes. At about 1.07 miles you can see dunes ahead to the south, and they’re fun to explore.
Meantime the main trail goes east, topping out at about 1.4 mile, then drops down to the (closed) campground and parking area where you started.
Here’s hoping you find time to visit some day and enjoy this little-visited corner of the splendid Oregon Dunes.
(Shopper columnist Tom Baake is author of local guidebooks.)
