Del Rey Beach & Sunset Beach State Recreation Areas and Fort Stevens State Park
Highlights
This is the longest section of Oregon beach that is open to vehicles. This trail provides exceptional access to the beach and the ocean. This beach route will take you through Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site, Sunset Beach State Recreation Site and Fort Stevens State Park. You can spend the day beachcombing, hiking, fishing, surfing, horseback riding, watching wildlife, exploring a shipwreck and the adjacent historic military fort.
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If you enter Gearhart from the north:
Head south on US-101 --> Turn right onto Gearhart Lane (0.6mi) --> Gearhart Lane turns into North Marion Avenue (0.2mi) --> Turn right onto 10th Street (0.1mi) --> Road ends at beach entrance.
0.6 mi
If you enter Gearhart from the South:
Head north on US-101 --> Turn left onto Pacific Way (0.6mi) --> Turn right onto North Marion Avenue (0.5mi) --> Turn left onto 10th Street (0.1mi) --> Road ends at beach entrance.
Fun beach to hang out and drive on. The entrance off of 10th street had some fluffy sand and is where we saw most cars get stuck. Just stay right of the sign and don't lose momentum and even 2wd vehicles can make it through.
We ran the beach, North to South, from Gearhart and back at a fairly low tide and it was open all the way to the jetty at the north. The sand from the end of the pavement to the wet sand was extremely soft and deep, we didn't air-down so some speed was needed to get through. were able to "drive through" the ship wreck which was cool and saw a few Bald Eagles. There were many varying rigs on the beach from monster 1-ton crew cab diesels to AWD mini-vans. If you are in the area and have a 4wd or even AWD vehicle, go experience beach driving.
What a great drive. Everyone had fun on the ride. The ocean looked incredible and every so often the waves come crashing in a little further and your driving in ocean water. The most fun was the flocks of birds that take off and fly around your vehicle is formation as they peel off and speed away. If you think Voodoo donuts are good you have to come out and make donuts on the Oregon Coast. Most of the time we were alone on the beach and lots of sand to play in.
I'll always give the Oregon coast a 5-star rating. It's worth making a point to go back on the off-season, as the extra length around Fort Stevens is very rewarding.
This was a wonderful walk on the beach, with fresh sand to explore. We didn't see a clearly marked "exit ramp" so we left the beach at the ship wreckage. I explored the sand with my tires as you would with your toes, to get a real feel for the beach. Even put my "toes" in the ocean. This was a lovely, lazy Sunday drive!
This was a super easy trip along the beach. We were camping at the nearby KOA and decided to enjoy the coast. Since driving on the beach is legal, this was pretty nice. Nothing really exciting about it, other than allowing my Jeep's toes to touch the Pacific Ocean. I only felt the need to shift into 4WD LO when exiting. This was our first time doing any beach driving in our JL.
Spectacular weather on the coast today! Today was the 1st time I have experienced a closure on the route due to live fire from the Oregon Army National Guard. They had about a mile long stretch closed between waypoints 3&4 with humvees stationed on either end of the closure. Sounded like M4s and light artillery, with the occasional Sikorsky UH-60 fly over; it was pretty cool. They opened the route up at the top of each hour to let everyone pass through. The air was thick with the smell of freedom :)
Drove the entire length; awesome drive! The northern leg is open from midnight to noon during the restricted months per local signage. The National Guard had the middle section closed due to training activity but they opened the beach to traffic for 15 minutes at the top of each hour. No stopping allowed; only allowed pass though the military base section. Go early! we started in Gearhart at 9am and had the beach largely to ourselves. When we came back south it was crowded with the areas near the entrances being the worst. Next time I do this trail I'll be on the beach at day break. The tide was so low we drove on sand west of the wreck. Had a Subaru in the group and he had no problems.
What an epic day at the beach! The sand was DEEP and very dry at both the 10th St entrance (waypoint 1) and at the Peter Iredale Road Ramp Access Point (waypoint 4). I don't think either access point was 2wd friendly, but both Highland Lane (waypoint 2) and Sunset Beach Road (waypoint 3) were.
Excellent for every vehicle including the responsible, experienced 2WD sedan driver. Remember the moist sand is easier to drive on. We stayed on the threshold between the wet and dry sand and drove North. Exit at Peter Irdale wreckage was deeper and rutted but passible with momentum and a good line. Avoid getting high centered! Slow down to 10 mph for those pedestrians!! There is plenty of room to 'go fast' and mess around north of Sunset Beach or so. Take it easy and beach cruise!!! Awesome, simple trek on the sand.
First time beach driving in my truck. Definitely was glad to have 4WD. Momentum is key. Stopped on this route on our way back from an Oregon beach, headed back to Seattle.
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I have a deep passion for adventure, exploring, and the outdoors. I love hiking, camping, Overlanding, and adventure motorcycle riding. I have a goal of spending at least 30 nights a year in a sleeping bag (which I rarely hit), and my happy place is getting as far from civilization as possible and finding the less explored corners of North America. My other passion is my family and raising my five kids. We're a little nomadic in nature, having lived in Oregon, Louisiana, California, DC/Virginia, Colorado, Washington, and now I'm back in Colorado. I suffer from wanderlust and enjoy a good coddiwomple.
I have been wheeling most of my life, mainly to get to a trailhead or campsite. My offroad vehicle of choice has varied dramatically over the years; I have recently discovered ADV motorcycles, and I don't think I will ever look at Overlanding the same. When exploring with the family, my 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser or 2016 Toyota Sequoia are my go-to vehicles. Previously I've had a Gen2.5 Mitsubishi Montero, Subaru wagons, an old Ford farm truck, and an 80's diesel Mercedes which was surprisingly good at exploring the back roads of the NW.
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