North Beach extends along the Pacific Ocean at Horsfall Beach within Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, three miles north of North Bend off Horsfall Beach Road in northern Coos County. This expansive sandy beach sits at the northern extent of the 40-mile Oregon Dunes system, where towering sand mountains reach heights of 500 feet creating the largest coastal dune field in North America. The Bunker Trails wind through dune complexes west of Horsfall Beach Road, offering hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians access to ocean views across 9.3-mile loop trails navigating sandy terrain and forested deflation plains. The Oregon Dunes formed over 175,000 years as Coos River sediments washed into the Pacific and prevailing winds deposited sand inland, creating an ecosystem supporting endemic species including silvery phacelia and pink sand verbena. Frank Herbert visited these dunes in 1957, inspiring his science fiction novel Dune published in 1965 and launching a literary franchise exploring desert ecology.
Swimming at North Beach proves dangerous due to powerful Pacific surf, rip currents, cold water temperatures averaging 50-55 degrees year-round, and complete absence of lifeguard services. Sneaker waves strike without warning, sweeping beachgoers into the ocean. Wading in shallow areas requires constant vigilance. Off-highway vehicle recreation dominates North Beach activities, with designated OHV zones permitting dune buggies, four-wheel-drive trucks, and all-terrain vehicles to explore open sand areas and drive on the beach north of Horsfall Campground. Bull Run Beach Access serves OHV users exclusively with ramps accessing sand. Horsfall Beach Access provides observation tower views across dunes to the Pacific, with paved parking for pedestrian beach visitors. Beachcombing, kite flying, and photography attract families to quieter beach sections south of the campground closed to vehicles. Harbor seals haul out on beaches during pupping season. Horsfall Sand Camping permits primitive camping directly on open dunes adjacent to OHV areas.
Access North Beach via Highway 101 north from North Bend, turning left onto Trans Pacific Lane after two miles and continuing 1.1 miles to Horsfall Beach Road. Turn right and follow Horsfall Beach Road 2.5 miles to the beach terminus. Paved parking accommodates approximately 50 vehicles at Horsfall Beach day-use area with no entry fees. Vault toilets serve visitors year-round. The observation tower offers panoramic dune and ocean views accessible via wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. Horsfall Campground operates 69 campsites including 34 sites with electrical hookups and 35 standard sites, charging 24 dollars per night for electric sites and 20 dollars for standard sites through Recreation.gov reservations. OHV permits cost seven dollars daily or 35 dollars annually, required for riding dunes and beach vehicle zones. Cell phone service proves unreliable. Bay Area Hospital operates seven miles south in Coos Bay at 1775 Thompson Road providing emergency services.
Dining concentrates in North Bend six miles south along Highway 101 and Virginia Avenue. Captain's Choice Family Fish House at 1210 Virginia Avenue serves clam chowder, crab melts, fish and chips using Pacific rockfish, and grilled salmon with harbor views. Back Alley Pub and Grill at 1225 Virginia Avenue inside North Bend Lanes prepares burgers, homemade pizzas, grilled subs, and soups in a modern bowling center offering cosmic bowling. Tres Amigos Mexican Restaurant at 1611 Virginia Avenue cooks enchiladas, burritos, tacos, and combination plates with house-made salsas. Lucky Dragon Buffet at 1611 Virginia Avenue offers Mongolian grill with fresh meats, vegetables, and noodles cooked to order. Kozy Kitchen Restaurant serves breakfast all day alongside lunch and dinner comfort food. North Beach's combination of accessible OHV dune riding, Frank Herbert literary heritage, and expansive sandy beach creates Oregon's premier destination for off-highway vehicle recreation within North America's largest coastal dune ecosystem.
