Spend time amid shifting sands

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area offers a variety of hiking trails, campgrounds and picnic areas for visitors to spend a couple hours, an entire day or a weekend near the shifting sands.

Off-road vehicle enthusiasts also will find Oregon's finest sand-racing area offers more stomach-lurching thrills than any theme park.

At several dune entrances, trail markers point the way through the dunes to the beach. Hikers can bring along a lunch and take a break at one of the dune lakes or "islands" on the way to watch the waves. And don't forget a camera to capture the ever-changing sandscapes.

A list of the trails and campgrounds in the 40-mile area between the North Spit and Florence can be found on the Internet at .

The visitors center is located on the north end of Reedsport - it shares a building with the Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce - and can be reached by calling (541) 271-3611.

Check out the races

The popular dunes-racing events attract thousands of visitors to the South Coast. The event, in its fifth year at this tiny coastal community, features drag racing organized by the American Sand Drag Association.

Races are set up for pee-wees and juniors, sportsmen and, of course, pros. For more about the event, those interested would be remiss not to check the Web site.

Slide down on a board

Dunes are great for climbing to a view, but who hasn't thought about sliding down?

Forget that ragged piece of cardboard. Get with it! Rent a board and jam it right!

Sandboarding is a lot like snowboarding in heavy powder. The board is waxed and feet are secured with toe and heel straps. Dunes closed to motorized use provide an ever-changing challenge of height, sand density and condition.

The stretch of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area at Lakeside offers choice, untouched cliffs and sand-ramps to board. Sneak off and find the perfect ride of solitude and sand.

Go for a thrill ride in an ATV

Salivating for a spin in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area without an all-terrain vehicle can be a drag, but don't let it.

For ATV permits, locations and general information, wanna-be riders can call the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area office in Reedsport at (541) 271-3611.

ATVs may be rented in Hauser at Spinreel Dune Buggy Rentals Inc. or Pacific Coast Recreation, further north at Winchester Bay, Dune Buggy Adventures and Discovery Point ATV rental, and south of Florence at Sand Dunes Frontier and Theme Park. The ODNRA has a complete list of area outfitters. Some companies also offer group tours of the dunes in large off-road vehicles.

Hike a trail through the dunes

Get lost in the dunes.

Well, don't actually get lost, but do hike out into the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area at Lakeside. The day-use side of the Eel Creek Campground offers visitors a place to park and walk to the beach.

There, hike off onto the John Dellenback Dunes Trail. It's a 3-mile round-trip tromp with elevation varying from 100 to 1,500 feet, depending on shifting dunes. Expect a workout as you meander across Eel Creek, through a shore pine forest and out onto the rugged dunes. This trail is rate moderate to most difficult.

The trek crosses an area of the dunes closed to off-road vehicles. It's well worth the hiking effort. Posts mark the trail out toward the beach, but take note: Expect to work up a sweat. Few people wander the trail that leads to the remote beach north of Tenmile Creek.

Take sunscreen, a windbreaker, snack, water and plan to do some wading in the early summer. This spring's heavy rains likely have covered the trail through the "rough," the trees and brush that separate the dunes from the beach.

This is a fee area, with the daily fee set at $5. At the trailhead, there are water, toilet and picnic table amenities available, but out on the dunes, you're on your own.