Tahkenitch Campground

Because there are so many campgrounds to choose from, let me start by listing out all the options. This is one of many campgrounds in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. There are campgrounds in the Siltcoos Area (Carter Lake, Lagoon, Tyee, and Waxmyrtle), the Umpqua Dunes Area (Eel Creek), the Spinreel to Horsfall Area (Bluebill and Wild Mare), and here in the Tahkenitch Area. Of course, there are even more in the entire Siuslaw National Forest (which this is part of).

There are actually two campgrounds with deceptively similar names in the Tahkenitch Area: Tahkenitch Campground (this page) and Tahkenitch Landing. Both are campgrounds, and both are right next to each other. Make sure you're looking at the right one when researching and reserving.

This one (Tahkenitch Campground) has no hookups, but does have flush toilets and drinking water stations), 26 sites, but 17 of them are tent-only, some of the back-in sites are actually asphalt with a little picnic area. On the other hand, Tahkenitch Landing has 28 sites with no hookups, no water available, and vault toilets.

So, I think Tahkenitch Campground is the better option because of the layout (more privacy) and water availability, but the Landing has waterfront sites available, and has more options are larger rigs. Recreation.gov lists max rig lengths and has some low-resolution site photos during the booking process.

Privacy is really hit or miss at both campgrounds, and you will hear highway noise at both.

Great hiking trails accessible from the campground, and this is a great campground if you're planning to do use the off-road vehicle trails. You can't access the OHV/ORV trails from the campground, and you can't use your OHV/ORVs in the campground. Sadly, this is not always a rule that is followed, which contributes to noise. There's a boat ramp at the park, and the day-use area is next to the Landing.

Really, as long as you get a good spot somewhere in Oregon Dunes, you can't go wrong. This is a fantastic place to spend awhile exploring the region, and I wish I had more time when I was there.

Flush toilet / water available / bathroom sink / no shower / table / fire pit / easy access / high shade.

Nice campground but not all sites are equal in terms of privacy. If you are ready to not have your car just next to your tent, you can have really cosy sites. Sanitaries are clean and well maintened thanks to the camphost. From the campground there is some trails to the beach crossing the dunes, wild and quiet, really beautiful. The area around is gorgeous: Oregon Dunes, Cape Perpetua, Yachats…

Definitly a good base camp!

Mid June. I got in late after fishing at Loon Lake all day. I arrived about 7pm and saw no sign for any fee so I didnt pay. There were about 3 RVs in the back spots so I took the first spot on the front right when turning into the camping ground. Supposedly there is a nice day use area which brings you out to the dunes but I did not check that. There was a van parked in the parking lot all night so he prob got a free spot as well. I was in then out bright in the early morning, got breakfast at a good donut shop in Reedsport. Also having a fire was a must have both in the evening and morning in order to keep the crazy bugs away. This area near Reedsport is more wet and probably a bit swampy compared with all the stream, compared to towns north of there, so consider that if tent camping, to be prepared for mosquitos primarily. I recommend using this for an RV spot and you can probably get away without paying for a night sport for one or two nights on a stop through without paying. If they had a sign with a fee then maybe someone would pay but the bugs prob drove everyone mad anyways so they made it a free sport probably.