Dune Ridge Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views

There are restrooms at the Bob Straub State Park day use parking area.

Shifting deep sand make for difficult footing.

This trail branches off from the Marsh Trail and climbs the dunes to continue along the dune ridge for about half a mile. The dune grass and Scottish gorse crowds the trail so you may get wet from dew of a recent rain shower. It's not muddy, but wet sand can certainly gum up your shoes or boots.

The trail surface is deep sand that shifts underfoot. This is a popular trail for equestrian use, so be prepared to share the trail. To the west you can see the ocean waves crashing on the shore for miles in the distance. Pacific City, Haystack Rock, and Cape Kiawanda are strikingly visible to the north. To the east you can see the marshes and estuary of Nestucca Bay. Across the bay is the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and there almost always fishermen or people clamming and crabbing in the bay.

Several trails branch off for beach access points. There are shore birds and migrating birds in the estuary, as well as plenty of deer on the sand spit.

This short trail rejoins with the Marsh Trail after only about half a mile and forms part of a longer loop with the Bay Trail.