About Lost Forest/Dunes/Fossil Acec
The Christmas Valley Sand Dunes Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in south-central Oregon is the largest inland shifting sand dune system in the Pacific Northwest. It is a popular destination for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts with nearly 8,900 acres of the Sand Dunes site open to vehicle use. Nearby, the Lost Forest Research Natural Area is an unusual stand of ancient ponderosa pine forest, the remnant of a forest that existed in a cooler and wetter age. Another facet of the ACEC is Fossil Lake, the site of paleontological work for more than 100 years and where hundreds of species of reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals have been identified. - Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) are allowed only on designated routes or areas. [Oregon ATV permits required](https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/ATV/Pages/ATV-permits.aspx). - Camping is allowed in designated sites only. Sites are primitive with…
- Managed by: Bureau of Land Management, BLM
- Where: 38 mi northeast of Silver Lake, OR · 43.35641, -120.37113
Things to do:
Weather by month
Typical daily highs and lows (°F), 1991–2020 NOAA normals. Best months: May–Jun & Aug–Sep (comfortable days, mild nights, little rain). Nights below freezing: Oct–Apr.
Fly over it in 3D, check today's weather and fire news, plan the drive and print a trip plan.
Good to know
Verizon 4G · AT&T 5G
From the carriers' FCC coverage maps, which tend to be generous.The Milky Way casts shadows and the sky is crowded with stars.
Class 1 of 9, from NASA/NOAA night-light data.Dump station: 18 mi
Propane: 18 mi
Camps nearby
- Peters Creek Campground 11.7 mi
- Green Mountain Campground 17.6 mi
- The Pines RV Park 17.7 mi
- Lakeside RV Park 17.8 mi
- Knapper Camp 22.9 mi
- Valley View RV Park 23.3 mi