Honeyman State Park
🏕️ Oregon Dunes Gateway — Two pristine freshwater lakes, 350+ campsites adjacent to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, sandboarding, year-round camping, and the Oregon Coast’s finest outdoor recreation base camp
Three miles south of the charming coastal town of Florence, Oregon, Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park sits at the intersection of two landscapes that define the central Oregon Coast: the towering sand dunes of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and the dense, ancient forests of Sitka spruce and shore pine that have been holding back the sand for millennia. Named for Jessie M. Honeyman, a civic leader who championed the creation of Oregon’s state park system in the 1920s, this 522-acre park is centered around two beautiful freshwater lakes — Cleawox and Woahink — and provides the most accessible and family-friendly gateway to the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America.
With over 350 campsites, 10 yurts, two swimmable lakes, miles of hiking trails, sandboarding on towering dunes, kayaking and paddleboarding, and seasonal boat rentals at the historic Cleawox Lodge, Honeyman is consistently ranked among the most popular state parks in the entire Oregon system. This is the rare campground that offers something for everyone: families with young children love the calm, warm lakeside swimming; adventure seekers scramble up 400-foot dunes and board back down; anglers fish for trout and bass; and photographers find world-class compositions where forest meets sand meets water.
The Lakes
Cleawox Lake
Cleawox Lake is Honeyman’s crown jewel — a crystal-clear freshwater lake nestled between forested hillsides and the towering dunes to the west. The lake’s south shore features a sandy swimming beach with calm, warm water that’s perfect for families with young children. On the north shore, the historic Cleawox Lodge (originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s) houses seasonal boat rentals.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | ~90 acres |
| Swimming | Sandy beach, unsupervised, warm in summer |
| Boating | Non-motorized only (kayaks, canoes, SUPs) |
| Rentals | Pedal boats, kayaks, SUPs (Memorial Day–Labor Day) |
| Fishing | Stocked rainbow trout, largemouth bass |
Woahink Lake
Larger and deeper than Cleawox, Woahink Lake is the motorized boating option. A public boat ramp provides access for motorboats, jet skis, fishing boats, and water skiing. The 3.3-mile Woahink Lakeside Trail circles portions of the shoreline through old-growth forest.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | ~800 acres |
| Motorized Boats | Allowed — public boat ramp available |
| Water Sports | Skiing, tubing, wakeboarding |
| Fishing | Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch |
The Oregon Dunes
Honeyman’s western boundary opens directly onto the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area — 40 miles of sand dunes stretching along the coast from Florence to Coos Bay. Some dunes reach heights of 400 feet, making this the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. From the park, you can walk directly from the Cleawox Lake area onto the dunes.
Sandboarding and Sand Activities
- Sandboarding: Bring your own board or rent one in Florence. The dunes near Cleawox Lake offer excellent boarding terrain with slopes of varying steepness
- Dune Hiking: Walk west from Cleawox into the open dune fields for panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the lakes, and the surrounding forest
- OHV/ATV: Registered campers in H Loop and Yurt 316 have ATV access from October 1 to April 30 only. Day-use ATV access is not permitted in the park
Hiking Trails
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleawox Lake Trail | 1.0 mile | Easy | Lake shore, CCC lodge, swimming beach |
| Woahink Lakeside Trail | 3.3 miles | Moderate | Old-growth forest, lake views, wildlife |
| Honeyman Dunes Loop | 2.3 miles | Moderate | Sand dunes, Pacific views, forest-to-dune transition |
| Interpretive Trail | 0.5 mile | Easy | CCC Lodge to campground, forest ecology signs |
Camping
Honeyman’s campground is one of the largest and most popular in Oregon, with over 350 sites spread across multiple loops in a forested setting.
| Site Type | Count | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Full Hookup | 47 | Water, electric (30/50 amp), sewer |
| Electric + Water | 80+ | Forested sites, fire rings |
| Tent Sites | 200+ | Standard and premium options |
| Yurts | 10 | Heated, some pet-friendly, $56-$66/night |
| Group Areas | Seasonal | Tent groups, by reservation |
Reservation Tips: Summer weekends book out 6 months in advance — reserve immediately upon the booking window opening. Midweek camping offers better availability. The campground is open year-round, and winter camping here is surprisingly pleasant — the Oregon Coast’s mild maritime climate rarely drops below freezing.
Essential Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 84505 US-101, Florence, OR 97439 |
| Hours | Day-use: dawn to dusk, Campground: year-round |
| Day-Use Fee | Oregon State Parks day-use parking permit required ($5/day or $30/year) |
| Pets | Allowed on leash in campground and trails; some pet-friendly yurts |
| Phone | (541) 997-3641 |
Getting There
Honeyman State Park is located 3 miles south of Florence on US Highway 101. From Eugene (the nearest major city), take Highway 126 west to Florence (about 60 miles, 1 hour), then turn south on US-101 for 3 miles. From Coos Bay, head north on US-101 for approximately 50 miles.
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr-May) | Wildflowers, whale watching, rhododendrons | Low-Moderate |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Warm lakes, full rentals, sandboarding | Very High |
| Fall (Sep-Oct) | Quiet camping, fishing, mushroom foraging | Moderate |
| Winter (Nov-Mar) | Storm watching, solitude, mild temps | Low |
Nearby Attractions
- Florence Old Town: 3 miles north — restaurants, galleries, bay front shops
- Sea Lion Caves: 11 miles north — America’s largest sea cave, wild sea lion colony
- Oregon Dunes NRA: Direct access — 40 miles of dunes, ATV staging areas
- Heceta Head Lighthouse: 14 miles north — one of the most photographed lighthouses in America
- Darlingtonia State Natural Site: 5 miles north — rare cobra lily carnivorous plants
Can you swim at Honeyman State Park?
Yes! Cleawox Lake has a sandy swimming beach with calm, warm freshwater — one of the best lake swimming spots on the Oregon Coast. The water is unsupervised (no lifeguards), so swim at your own risk. Water temperatures are warmest in July and August. Inflatable toys and small rafts are popular for floating.
Can you ride ATVs at Honeyman?
ATV access within the park is limited to registered campers in H Loop and Yurt 316 only, and only from October 1 through April 30. Day-use ATV access is not permitted. For ATV riding during the summer, use the Oregon Dunes NRA staging areas outside the park (Sand Dunes Frontier or Spinreel, both within 20 miles on US-101).
How far in advance should I book camping at Honeyman?
For summer weekends (June through September), book as soon as the 6-month reservation window opens. Popular weeks around July 4th and Labor Day sell out within minutes of becoming available. Midweek nights are easier to get, and fall/winter camping rarely requires advance booking. Reservations are made through the Oregon State Parks reservation system.
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