Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
The Bureau of Land Management coastal lands span critical stretches along the Pacific coastline of California, Oregon, and Washington. These public lands protect a range of sensitive coastal ecosystems including sandy dunes, rocky headlands, tidal estuaries, and unique coastal forests. The landscapes include important habitat for migratory birds, marine mammals, and threatened species. Historically, these areas have supported indigenous communities for millennia and reflect both cultural heritage sites and modern conservation efforts. Popular outdoor activities include beachcombing, kayaking, horseback riding, bird watching, and primitive camping. Notable locations within BLM coastal holdings include the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which features some of the largest temperate coastal sand dunes in the world, and the impressive coastal terraces of the King Range National Conservation Area in Northern California. Visitors are drawn to the wild, less-developed scenery and opportunity to explore off-the-beaten-path beaches and trails. The BLM actively manages these lands to balance visitor recreation with preservation, focusing on habitat restoration, invasive species control, and fire resilience. Interpretive programs and accessible trailheads help connect visitors with the dynamic coastal environment across hundreds of miles of BLM-managed beachfront and adjoining uplands.
