Recreation Region: Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area - North

Carter Dunes Trail #1384

At the interface of the trees and sand, hikers can follow the blue-striped trail post that mark the way over the sand, through the deflation plain and end at the beach. From winter through early summer, water and wildlife abound in the deflation plain which is often flooded in winter.

This trail connects to Taylor Dunes Trail #1335.

Current Conditions

Snowy Plover restrictions in place March 15 - September 15
7/1/2025: Carter Dunes Trail is open. New maintenance scheduled for Aug. 2025.

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

#1384

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

Trail Map:

Trail Map (Geospatial PDF ~ 1.6 mb)

To use your mobile device's GPS to track your location on the map: Download the geospatial PDF (geoPDF), download and install an app, such as The Avenza Maps app, that reads geoPDFs.

Close to:

A valid recreation pass is required at Carter Dunes Trailhead

Getting There

Trailhead/Starting Points

Access to this trail is at Carter Dunes Trailhead (fee site)

Directions

Drive 10 miles south of Florence, OR on Highway 101. Turn to the west to the Carter Lake Campground. You'll pass the Taylor Dune Trailhead on the left. Continue 1/2 mile along the campground loop to the trailhead.