Name: Umpqua Dunes – Dellenback Trail
Start: 2025-10-04T09:30:00-07:00
End: 2025-10-04T09:30:00-07:00

Past Activity

Umpqua Dunes – Dellenback Trail

View Gallery

Start date: 10/04/2025
Start time: 9:30 AM

Description:

This is a 6-mile (round trip) hike across a dune expanse to the ocean and back. The Dellenback Dunes are the widest stretch of dunes on the Oregon Coast and exhibit some excellent examples of this landscape. This trip is exploratory for the trip leader.

The hike begins at the Dellenbeck Trailhead on Saturday, October 4th, at 9:30am. If the trailhead is closed (because of the Govt shutdown) the secondary meeting location (about 1.5 miles north on the Coast Hwy) is at the Tugman State Park Campground. Look for a pullout area near the dump station close to the main gate (I know, I know, but that is the only space that is large enough to meet up if we need too.)

In my edition of Sullivan's Oregon Coast book, this is the 'Umpqua Dunes' hike. The route will be on the Dellendack Trail, which is on open sand. Plan accordingly and wear shoes that offer good arch support. Bring snacks, lunch, and plenty of water. Dress for the weather, have a sun hat, sunglasses, etc.

If traveling from Eugene, you will need to make your own travel arrangements.

The trip leader will provide a 48-hour pre-trip email with an update to confirm the trip is a 'go.'

Camping Option:
NOTE: Because of the Govt shutdown, it is not know what will remain open. Book a space at Tugman State Park if camping. Email the trip leader is you need more info.

Event Leader: Mark Hougardy
Event Leader Phone: 541-206-9532
Event Leader Email: hougardy@gmail.com
Assistant Leader:
Event category: Trips
Area Type: Coastal
Departure Location: See Trip Description
Rating: Moderate
Roundtrip total drive miles:
Season: 2025
Permits Required:
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required: Bring snacks, lunch, and plenty of water. Dress for the weather, have a sun hat, sunglasses, personal first aid kit, etc.
participant prerequisites:
Conditions:
Total Distance: 6
Member Fees: —
Elevation Gain: 100
Non-Member Fees: 8
Committee: Trips
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

The evening before the hike, several of us camped at Tugman State Park. The evening was pleasant, and a nearly full moon rising above the trees was impressive. The campground, which is usually packed in the summer, was quiet in our area, and we only had one neighbor. It rained quite a bit that night. The next morning, we met the group at the Dellenbeck Trailhead. There was concern that the Government shutdown might impact gates being closed. While the gates were open, the on-site facilities, such as trash collection and bathroom supplies, were unkept, and that situation will only get worse the longer the shutdown continues. We started our hike and walked into an expanse of dunes. The dunes are impressive! There were many animal tracks and human prints too! Crossing the dunes, we entered the foresty deflation plain and were greeted by several small and large mushrooms along the trail. The wooden elevated walkway was nice to walk on, though we had to bend and move around angled trees at times. Arriving at the beach, the weather was pleasant and we enjoyed lunch. On the return trip, we walked without shoes over the sand and enjoyed the views.

Gallery