FAQs
It depends on what you plan to do and where you want to go. Generally, passes are required at sites that offer picnic tables, restrooms, signs, or other amenities. Passes are generally not required at remote or undeveloped sites such as wilderness trailheads or for dispersed camping along Forest Service logging roads.
Required passes and fees are listed for each site in the Recreation Section. We sell passes at any of our Forest offices and online. Many day use sites have on-site fee tubes. You can also purchase passes at some local businesses.
See our Recreation Passes section for details on what passes are needed and where to get them, including options for annual passes. You can also check with your local Forest Service office for more information.
No, you would need to purchase another one.
Some campgrounds are first come, first served and some take reservations. You can make reservations online at www.recreation.gov or phone 877.444.6777. Campgrounds fill up quickly from May - October and on holiday weekends. Camping in developed campgrounds is limited to no more than 14 days during any 30 consecutive day period. Camping outside of developed campgrounds (dispersed camping) is limited to 14 days during any 60 consecutive day period.
Our Camping & Cabins page has general information about both developed and undeveloped camping on the Siuslaw National Forest. From that page, you can follow links to individual campground descriptions with details including which ones take reservations. You will find additional developed campgrounds under OHV Riding & Camping and under Horse Riding & Camping.
Some campgrounds are especially designed for Off Highway Vehicle use. OHV Sand Camping is also allowed in some OHV riding areas. Check our OHV Section for details about these sites and areas.
Camping on the beach is regulated by the State of Oregon. For details, see Oregon State Beach Rules. See answers to more frequently asked questions for beach restrictions.
Sand camping is allowed on certain Siuslaw National Forest lands. Different regulations apply to areas open to motorized use and areas closed to motorized use on the Forest.
- For areas open to motorized use, see the OHV Sand Camping section under OHV Riding & Camping.
- For areas closed to motorized use, camping is allowed in most areas within certain guidelines. See our Dispersed Camping page for more about camping outside of developed campgrounds, including areas that are off limits.
- Please follow good dispersed camping and Leave No Trace practices.
Yes, but depending on the size of your group and what you are planning, you may need a Special Use Permit. For details and application information, see our Special Use Permit section.
Rules about fires on the beach are established by the State of Oregon.
- Small recreational beach fires in the ocean shore recreation area are allowed provided they are located in the open dry sands area, downwind of and below beachgrass and the driftwood line; no fires are allowed in dunes or beach log accumulations.
- No fire shall be placed in driftwood, left unattended or be permitted to cause damage to facilities or natural resources. Every fire shall be extinguished with water before its users leave the area.
- No fire shall be permitted within 25 feet of a seawall that is constructed of wood or other combustible material.
- At the discretion of a park manager, fires normally permitted in the ocean shore recreation area may be restricted or prohibited due to high fire hazard conditions.
See Oregon State Beach Rules and answers to frequently asked questions for beach recreation. Follow the link and look for rules under Division 21: General Ocean Shore State Recreation Area Rules.
Driftwood collection is regulated by the State of Oregon.
State Park Beaches
The taking of driftwood in small amounts by visitors for souvenirs, for personal use or as gifts is permitted. The removal of large amounts of driftwood, or any wood with mechanized loading equipment, shall be prohibited except as approved by the park manager. Chainsaws must be approved by the park manager. No wood shall be removed which is imbedded in the beach or in sand dune banks.
Non-State Park Beaches
Driftwood removal for firewood and/or ornamental purposes shall be for personal use and restricted to wood which can be loaded by hand only. No mechanized loading and/or removal equipment shall be permitted. Removal of firewood and/or ornamental wood may be restricted to individual beach areas, quantities of wood, and time of year. Power saws may be restricted in certain beach areas. Periodic moratoriums on the issuance of vehicle permits and quantity limits on firewood gathering may be established for sections of beach where the driftwood supply has been depleted due to human removal activity or by act of God. No wood embedded in the beach or in sand dune banks shall be removed. Upland property owner wishes will be respected when considering vehicle permits for wood gathering. Exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of the State Parks Director.
Oregon State Beach Rules
Look for Oregon State Beach Rules under Division 26: Beach Log And Driftwood Removal Policy.
Sand Dune Riding
You can ride in designated areas in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and in the Sand Lake Recreation Area. Check our Motor Vehicle Use Maps to see OHV trails and areas open to cross country travel. Also check out our OHV section for information where you can ride, rules for riding, campgrounds and staging areas and more.
Forest Riding
Routes designated for OHV uses will be identified on the Motor Vehicle Use Maps. Also, in summer, be sure to check our Fire Page for public use restrictions before heading into the woods with your OHV.
In all cases, the State of Oregon establishes and administers OHV permits and regulations. You can find more information on the Oregon State Parks website or by calling Oregon Parks and Recreation Department information center at 1.800.551.6949.
You can ride non-motorized mountain bikes on any Forest Service roads and on designated mountain bike trails. Visit our mountain bike page for more information.
E-bikes (electric bikes) are classified as self-propelled motor vehicles and are only allowed on roads and trails open to motorized vehicles. Review our motor vehicle use maps to learn where e-bikes are allowed.
Yes, dogs are allowed within these guidelines:
- In developed sites such as campgrounds and picnic areas, dogs must always be restrained or on a leash no more than 6 feet long.
- Some beach areas are closed to dogs to protect nesting Western Snowy Plovers from March 15 – September 15. These areas are posted. See restricted areas, including maps of dog friendly beaches.
- Pack out dog waste.
- Leave aggressive or unusually noisy dogs at home.
- For the safety of others and your dog, we recommend keeping your dog on a leash wherever you are hiking.
- Remember to bring extra water, first aid supplies, and an identification tag for your dog.
The Siuslaw National Forest does not have any designated swimming areas.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages and regulates fishing and shellfish gathering. Information is available from the Fishing section of their website. Visitors must comply with all state rules when fishing or crabbing on the National Forest.
The placement of a monument, memorial, or commemorative plaque or bench along trails, overlooks, roadways, or other public place has become an increasingly common practice to memorialize loved ones and important events. This practice can have great significance for friends, family, or people close to the event. For others, memorials can impact their experience, particularly when they are found in natural settings. For this reason, and due to the increase in requests for such memorials across National Forest lands, we are unable to permit them.
No. At this time, we do not have the ability to permit this use.