Sand Lake Recreation Area - Digital Recreation Fees

Frequently Asked Questions

Why digital payments not cash?

Large amounts of cash can attract the wrong kind of attention; payment modernization is part of a nationwide safety effort. Digital payments also allow recreation employees and camp hosts to spend more time on maintenance issues and other important projects. It is part of a national effort to modernize payment options and it provides visitors with consistency in payment processes on the Siuslaw National Forest.

How can I make a digital payment?

Day Use, Dispersed and Sand Camping: Valid day pass or recreation pass.

• Day pass: Recreation.gov website, mobile app or West Winds Automatic Fee Machine.
  • Northwest Forest Pass Recreation pass: Forest Service office or online.
• Reservation-only campsites
  • Recreation.gov website, mobile app, or 877-444-6777
• West Winds Campground:
  • Pay with a credit or debit card at the West Winds Automatic Fee Machine

Developed Campsites [Payments accepted on Recreation.gov online/phone]	Fee per NIGHT
Sand Lake Rec Area – East Dunes Campground (Recreation.gov online/phone)	$25
Sand Lake Rec Area – West Wind Campground* (Automatic Fee Machine only)	$25
Sand Lake Rec Area – Sandbeach Campground (Recreation.gov online/phone)	$25
Hebo Lake Campground (Recreation.gov online/phone)	$18
Rocky Bend Group Campground (Recreation.gov online/phone)	$75
Castle Rock Group Campground (Recreation.gov online/phone)	$75

 

Dispersed & Sand Camping [Rec.gov Day use pass or annual pass accepted as payment]	Fee per NIGHT
Sand Lake Rec Area – West Winds Sand Access	$5
Sand Lake Rec Area – Derrick Rd. Dispersed Campground	$5
South Lake Dispersed Campground	$5

 

Day Use [Rec.gov Day use pass or annual pass accepted as payment]	Fee per NIGHT
Sand Lake Rec Area – West Winds Day Use Area - OHV Staging	$5
Sand Lake Rec Area – Fisherman’s Day Use	$5
Drift Creek Falls Trail and Day Use Area	$5
Hebo Lake Day Use	$5
Cascade Head Scenic Research Area - Interpretive Wayside	$5

*West Winds Campground fee payment can only be made at the West Winds Automated Fee Machine (AFM). 
 

Will campsites on the Hebo Ranger District still have first come, first served (FCFS) option?

Yes, some campsites on Hebo Ranger District will have a FCFS option. No cash/checks accepted; payments can be made using the automated fee machine or on rec.gov.

 Reservation-only sites can be reserved same day, but only online/mobile.  

• Sand Lake Recreation Area – West Winds Campground
  • All sites will be FCFS year-round.
  • Pay by credit/debit card at the West Winds Automatic Fee Machine.
• Sand Lake Recreation Area – Sandbeach Campground
  • Some sites are seasonally available first come, first served (FCFS).
  • November-to-May: sites 1-49 and 70-81 are FCFS.
  • Pay for seasonal FCFS by credit/debit card at the West Winds Automatic Fee Machine.

We hope to install additional cell boosters in the future. Visitors can also drive-to-signal in order to reserve or pay-for a site.   
 

What about reservation sites?

Sand Lake Recreation Area – Sandbeach Campground

• May-to-October: all campsites are reservation only.
• Recreation.gov website, mobile app, or 877-444-6777
• November-to-May: sites 50-69 are reservation only
• Visitors can also use the credit card machine in the West Winds Day Use Machine to pay for the seasonal FCFS spots. 

Sand Lake Recreation Area – East Dunes Campground

• Sites 1-37 can be reserved up to two weeks in advance.
• Recreation.gov website, mobile app, or 877-444-6777
• Sites 38-59 can be reserved up to six months in advance.
• Recreation.gov website, mobile app, or 877-444-6777
   

What if I don’t have a smart phone?

Any mobile device will do, including a tablet. Call (877-444-6777) to make reservations or purchase day passes on a computer before visiting Sand Lake Recreation Area.
 

How can I pay if there is no cell service?

Use the West Winds Automatic Fee Machine for day use passes and West Winds/East Dunes campsite fees. Drive-to-signal if there is no cell service and the West Winds Automatic Fee Machineis not functioning.
 

Where can I find reliable cell service?

• Sand Lake Recreation Area and Rocky Bend Campground Countryside Church of the Nazarene in Cloverdale: 8 miles from Sandlake | 17 miles from Rocky Bend 
• Hebo Lake Campground and Castle Rock Campground Center Market located in Cloverdale: About 7-to-8 miles 
• Pacific City: 10.7 miles from Sandlake | 13.3 miles from Hebo Lake Campground

Does my permit/pass work?

Day use and sand camping fees require a valid day pass, Northwest Forest Pass, or Interagency Pass. Purchase a day pass at the recreation.gov website, mobile app, or West Winds Automatic Fee Machine.

Pass Name	Pass Description	Price
Day Pass	Honored at Forest Service fee sites including day use, boat ramps, OHV staging, and some sand camping. Valid for the date indicated on the permit.	$5
Northwest Forest Annual Pass	Honored at all Forest Service operated recreation sites in Washington and Oregon where a day pass is required. Valid for the dates indicated on the permit.	$30
Interagency Annual Pass	Honored at most federally operated recreation sites in the United States where a day pass is required. Valid for the dates indicated on the permit.	$80
Interagency Annual Senior Pass	For those age 62 or older. Honored at most federally operated recreation sites in the United States where a day pass is required. Valid for the dates indicated on the permit.	$20
Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass	For those age 62 or older.  Honored at most federally operated recreation sites in the United States where a day pass is required. Valid for the lifetime of the passholder.	$80
Interagency Annual Fourth Grade Pass	Free for current fourth grade students and a few guests. Honored at most federally operated recreation sites in the United States where a day pass is required. Valid for the dates indicated on the permit.	Free
Interagency Lifetime Access Pass	Free for those with a permanent disability. Honored at most federally operated recreation sites in the United States where a day pass is required. Valid for the lifetime of the pass holder.	Free
Interagency Annual  Military Pass	Free for active military personnel and their dependents. Honored at most federally operated recreation sites in the United States where a day pass is required. Valid for the dates indicated on the permit.	Free
Interagency Lifetime Military pass	Free for next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life, and veterans. Honored at most federally operated recreation sites in the United States where a day pass is required. Valid for the lifetime of the pass holder.	Free

What's the deal with Sand Lake Recreation Area – East Dunes Campground? 

East Dunes Campground is now on recreation.gov for digital reservations and payment. Previously, all 59 campsites were available first come, first served (FCFS).

To serve our guests who preferred FCFS: Sites 1-37 are only reservable two-weeks in advance.

All sites are reservable same-day if available. For best results use the recreation.gov website or mobile app before leaving home.
 

How do I share concerns?

Contact the Hebo Ranger District at (503) 392-5100.
 

What credit/debit cards are accepted at the Automated Fee Machines?

Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover, JCB, and Union Pay.
 

Is there an online transaction fee?

Yes. An $8 fee applies to transactions on the Recreation.gov website and mobile app.
 

Can I buy passes at the Hebo Ranger District office?

Yes, call before visiting to ensure pass availability. Passes are also available from the Siuslaw National Forest website.

 

When will my payment process?

Payments may take time to process. Mobile app payments will process when your device connects to cell service. Fee Machine payments may take a few weeks to show on your statement.