Parking of the Dunes Trailhead | Informal Campsite

August 18th, 2023 by shaderfx

Stayed here for a night having my National Park pass in my car window. No problem. Very quiet a night. Nice long trail through a wooded area to the beach. This spot has pit toilet and garbage bin.

December 10th, 2022 by wanderingstoners

Nice spot! Make sure you have a pass (national pass or state park passport) for this spot though or you may wake up with a ticket.

July 16th, 2022 by rachel.calvelli

Short pull off tucked away from highway. Pit bathrooms and a bench in middle of Parking lot. Have a national pass, don’t see any rangers yet only 1 other person. Nice trail to dunes and highway noise isn’t bad!

June 4th, 2022 by cascarpe

stayed one night. two others came later in the night. pit toilet, paved level parking, one picnic table. no one bothered us, we also had our park pass visible. stayed longer than 8 hours.

May 2nd, 2022 by elizabethandursula

A small paved lot where I was alone all night on a grey, damp Monday. National Parks Pass displayed and no issues. It’s accessed by a short driveway from HWY 101 so the traffic is close but the noise wasn’t an issue—between the trees and my closed windows I slept great. Some cars came and stopped for the restroom but no one stayed. What I really loved was the trail access—I did 8 miles first thing, through woods to the dunes on the beach and back, and didn’t pass a soul. I’d definitely stay again.

July 23rd, 2021 by kfinlists

Two others parked here overnight. Plenty of room. Road noise didn’t bother us and we had our parks pass displayed but were not disturbed. Level enough and a bathroom and picnic table right there. The trail was nice but it’s a long way to the dunes on that trail!

July 16th, 2021 by gerberding

If you have windows open or a pop top like me, it’s extremely noisy all night. Trucks every few minutes even at 2-3-4 am. Okay in an emergency.

July 4th, 2021 by sarahewallace1

I stayed here on a holiday weekend and the parking lot was full. Two cars left so I was able to squeeze in. People were camping on the dunes… so I had the place to myself, but cars didn’t move. A ranger came by at 7:30a to check passes. He said the ticket is steep and it’s heavily enforced. He also said he wouldn’t park his car overnight due to break-ins in the area (he was referring to leaving it while on the dunes, but still good to know). Though I did feel safe there. The signs at the trailhead make it seem like dogs are not allowed on the beach, but he said it’s ok as long as you keep them leashed/away from the protected bird habitat. He also said to watch out for bears and mountain lions because of my dog. They’re in the area, FYI. Overall, a good spot in a pinch for a night. I’m sure it’s nowhere near as crowded when it’s not a holiday.

June 25th, 2021 by teal.bowden

Really nice, small parking lot away from the road tucked in the forest. Enough room for about 3 class Cs and two smaller cars or vans. We checked this out because the Safeway in town wasn’t too nice. Stayed one nice and had a great sleep with a small skoolie, rv, some cars and a bigger trailer rig. In the morning at about 8am a ranger came by, and checked everyones rigs for day or annual passes, and said theres no problem with sleeping here as long as people keep the area clean and trash free, he mentioned he kicked someone out a few weeks ago who was throwing beer cans and acting sketchy. Be respectful and this place should stay open.

June 22nd, 2020 by Aud

Good night on the parking. We were alone. No so much noise. We have the america beautiful pass but this one doesn't work for it so we used the 5 dollars permit parking took earlier to go to the beach more north.

December 8th, 2019 by jenny.l.harris

Stayed here on a Saturday night. An SUV came in around 7:30 and stayed the night too. A park ranger or cop (too dark to see which) slowly drove through around 8:30. I assume they checked access passes (which we had hanging in our windshield) because they didn’t talk to either the SUV dude or us. Woke up to 3 different vehicles coming into the parking lot to use the bathroom throughout the night. Otherwise an okay spot as it was not trashed, the bathroom was clean, and the trail to the dunes is lovely.

October 27th, 2019 by goroxygofar.wordpress.com

Excellent spot. We displayed our national parks pass on the dashboard. Not sure if anyone came to check. Pit toilets are clean and have lots of toilet paper.

October 18th, 2019 by silksteel11

Stayed one night. Still no “no overnight” signs. It was quiet and no one else there. Pit toilet on site was pretty clean.

August 22nd, 2019 by leidianeac

Dormimos tranquilamente a la noche, nadie nos molestó. Es silencioso como dijeron. No confiamos en dejar nuestro RV sólo en el día siguiente para ir a las dunas porque había vidrio roto de ventanas de auto en el suelo.

June 6th, 2018 by federicocanzani85

Good stop for one night... as said before, NO “NO oVERNIGHT” sign, but is says you must have either state park permit or national park annual pass if you are here...

April 26th, 2018 by Disfrute La Naturaleza

Parking lot to a trailhead to the dunes. No "no-sign" but you have to have a national park pass or pay the fee to the dunes.
Surprisingly quiet at night considering the nearby highway.