Alder Dune Campground

We stayed here for 3 nights in July 2017. We didn't have reservations anywhere, naively thought that coming in on a Wednesday that we would be able to find a spot somewhere between Florence and Newport. Well, those days are over my friend! We absolutely lucked out and found the last spot in the campground. It was secluded, level and had sunlight! The spots are all fairly private. Water spigots throughout the campground, vault toilets. Really lovely host couple, rolling around in their golf cart with their little dog. I hesitate to let y'all in on this little gem right off 101. There is a nice trail over to Sutton Lake campground. To enjoy the Pacific beach, drive north to Heceta head, lots of day use areas dotted all along there.

Federal campground $12 with senior pass. $24 with out. Dry camping, sites are well spaced, Outhouse’s and a water spigot. Great place to spend a couple nights.
Straight talk no services

We were having a hard time finding a first come spot off 101, and lucked out here. It’s right on the 101, not right on the ocean. It’s a walk through the dunes to the beach. Some spots are FFS, others are reservation only. Cash or check only. Spots are close to one another but pretty heavy foliage between sites; varying lengths, but nothing for anything over 25’. No hookups. Firewood for $6. Water spigots (not threaded) throughout the campground. Toilets available (didn’t use).

With many camping options in the rea, this is a very nice, quiet campground. There is an abundance of hiking trails right from camp and a wonderful day use area. The bathrooms were very clean. Discount for having the proper pass.

Beautiful campground nestled in the forest.  The geo coorindinates at the entrance are:
44.069651, -124.100708

Cost reflects 50% discount for Golden Age pass.

Assessment: This beautiful place is NOT big rig friendly for sites 1,2,3 if you are pulling anything.  The road leading into this 'cul-de-sac' for these sites looks more like a pedestrian pathway.  Large bushes and limbs will lay thick on your truck and camper.  With thick vegetation, the bushes against the truck made it impossible to see out of the side view mirrors. Backing into site 2 is nearly impossible. Thankfully the camp host, Robert (a retired truck driver), was able to help me into site 2. I was about ready to leave after making several unsuccessful attempts. I'll be forever grateful for his help.

If you do reserve sites 1, 2, or 3 and have a larger rig swing as far to the left as you can (like get off onto the shoulder) as soon as you pass through the yellow gate.  The first road on your right is for sites 1, 2, 3. It is not marked.  If you don't set yourself up for this turn and you are in a large rig you can't make that turn.

I did not see any low lying limbs anywhere in the park that might be a problem for high profile rigs.

After walking around the rest of the campground, I feel the rest of the sites are set up pretty well for backing in.  But,  be aware the roads are narrow.  Even meeting a car can be problematic in sections. Also,  many of the sites slope far down.  Leveling from front to back might not work for some rigs.

All of the water faucets in the campground are non-threaded except one.  Just across the street from site 9 is a threaded faucet.

With all that I've stated above, we do like this place.  It is secluded and you feel like you are in a wilderness area.  We like the family feel of this place, too. Lots of families staying here.

We felt comfortable and safe. The proximity to the ocean almost guarantees cool days and nights in the summer months.  Perfect recipe for camping.

Lots of shade,  so be aware your solar system may not keep your house battery charged.  I had to crank up my inverter generator for the first time in years to recharge the house battery.

Vault toilets, but in the day use area that is within easy walking distance there are flush toilets and running sink water.

Lots of hiking trails to the dunes and the beach.  The beach hike is slightly over 2 miles (round trip) from the day use area.

The campground is close to Hwy 101, and you will hear traffic from time to time, especially those truck drivers that are using their loud engine (jake) brakes. This type of noise doesn't neither us,  but be aware that it's there.

All in all a very nice campground that I would come back to again.

Average campground. I still think $24 for dry camping is ridiculous, but not only are these prices here to stay, I’m sure they’ll go up. 2 years ago I stayed at an Oregon state park FCFS with water and electric for $22 …No such thing anymore…Ahh, memories!

Sites are rather close together, so if you have a neighbor, you will here their conversations, music, generators, etc. Some sites have quite a bit of foliage and shrubbery to block views, but still, you’ll get an earful, depending on your neighbors. I didn’t make it out to the dunes and seashore because it was quite rainy while I was there, but I’m sure it’s a lovely hike. Pit toilets in campground, flush toilets in day use area. The site I was in (28) was fairly level, but just driving by others you could they would require serious (if not impossible) leveling. Also, site 28 is backwards. When you back in, your fire pit and picnic table are on the wrong side, which is not a big deal except that the entire seating area is surrounded by tall shrubs with a “doorway” located towards the front of the site. So, if you’re carrying heavy or hot items out of your trailer, you have go all the way around the nose of your trailer or vehicle to access the actual site. This site should have been a pull through. Dumpsters available for trash.

I didn’t see any water spigots, but I wasn’t looking because I had just filled-up the day before. One loop is reservation only and the other FCFS. FCFS is getting so rare these days, I was delighted to see it here. I do wonder what happens when the FCFS sites are full but there are unreserved sites available..? Beware big rigs, there are some tight areas in this campground, but doable if you back-up and pull forward a few times to get the right angle. Lots of canopy so if you’re depending on solar, that might be an issue. Campground is right off 101, but there is a bit of a descent and a whole lot of forest to buffer highway noise. Other than the occasional loud semi, it was quiet. I stayed on a Sunday and Monday and only 3 or 4 other campers in the FCFS section.

Also beware of campers with zero control over their dogs. This has become more common the past year and a half. Aggressive dogs off leash and on leash, can be a problem. I’m a dog owner, but my dog is well socialized and obedience trained on and off lead. It’s work, but very worthwhile. I would say the pit toilet I used was pretty clean and I did see camp hosts out and about cleaning and emptying trash from restrooms. No usable AT&T internet for me, but I was able to receive texts. Calls were dropped, and of course not able to stream anything.

Alder Dune provides access to a wide variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, fishing, swimming, bicycle riding, and boating. Car top boats, canoes, or other small watercraft may be used at either Alder or Dune Lakes. Other activities in the area are fishing and boating at other area lakes including Sutton, Munsel, Mercer, and Siltcoos Lakes, as well as beach combing on the beautiful Oregon beaches. Alder Dune is the second largest campground on the Mapleton Ranger District. It is within the Sutton Recreation Area, which consists of Sutton, Alder Dune, and Baker Beach Campgrounds, as well as Holman Vista, Sutton Lake, and a variety of trails with beach access. Facilities include flush toilets, water and trailer parking.