Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 500-acre park with sand dunes, Cleawox Lake, and Woahink Lake — gateway to the Oregon Dunes, the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America (40 miles long!). Named for civic leader Jessie Honeyman.

Visitor Information

About Honeyman State Park

Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park is one of Oregon’s most popular camping parks — a 500-acre wonderland of towering sand dunes, freshwater lakes, and coastal forest near Florence. The park serves as the primary gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which stretches 40 miles along the coast and is the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. Named for civic leader and suffragist Jessie Honeyman, who championed Oregon’s state park system in the 1920s-30s.

Things to Do

Swimming in Cleawox Lake (warm and sandy-bottomed) and Woahink Lake (larger, excellent for water skiing) is the main summer attraction. The sand dunes rise over 150 feet and offer exhilarating dune hiking — rent sandboards in Florence for a unique experience. The park has 5+ miles of hiking trails through coastal forest, excellent bass fishing in the lakes, and 355 campsites (reserve early for summer — this park fills fast). Night sky viewing is excellent due to minimal light pollution.

Getting There

Located 3 miles south of Florence on Highway 101 in Lane County. Day-use fee: per vehicle. Camping reservations recommended May-September at oregonstateparks.org.

Insider Tips

Dune playground: Honeyman offers access to the Oregon Dunes — the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America (40 miles long, up to 500 feet tall). Pro tip: Cleawox Lake within the park offers warm freshwater swimming — a rare treat on the cool Oregon coast. Sandboarding: Rent a sandboard in Florence and ride the dunes — Oregon’s version of snowboarding.

Best Time to Visit

Summer: Swimming in Cleawox Lake and dune exploration. Fall: Fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures. Spring: Wildflowers bloom in the dune deflation plains. Winter: Dramatic dune landscapes under moody skies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall are the Oregon Dunes?

The Oregon Dunes reach up to 500 feet above sea level — the tallest coastal dunes in North America. They stretch 40 miles along the coast between Florence and Coos Bay. The dunes inspired Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel “Dune.”

Wildlife & Nature

Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park — the second most popular camping park in Oregon — sits at the gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The park’s unique landscape includes two freshwater dune lakes (Cleawox and Woahink), towering sand dunes, and coastal forest. The Oregon Dunes — stretching 40+ miles along the coast — are the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. The dunes support endemic species including the western snowy plover and the coastal blue butterfly. Cleawox Lake provides warm freshwater swimming unusual on the cold Oregon coast. Shore pines, rhododendrons, and huckleberries colonize the stabilized dunes. The transition from bare sand to established forest demonstrates ecological succession in real time.

Nearby Attractions

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area offers ATV riding, sandboarding, and hiking. Florence — a charming coastal town — has Old Town waterfront dining. Sea Lion Caves — America’s largest sea cave — is north of Florence. Heceta Head Lighthouse is one of Oregon’s most photographed landmarks. Darlingtonia State Natural Site protects carnivorous cobra lilies. South Jetty access provides beachcombing and whale watching. Siuslaw River offers crabbing and fishing.