"Where can I ride my ATV?" This is a questions we often ask. For those living west of the Mississippi, there is a good chance to have been to a sand dune riding area. And depending how long you've been riding, you may have tackled several dunes already. Here is a list of top 10 dunes in America compiled by ATV Rider.
One rule applies to all the locations below: Whip Flags are a must! Some facilities will fine you up to $100 if you don't have one on your OHV. Other shared rules were the spark arrestors on every machine, no glass containers on the dunes, no burning of wood pallets and be aware of speed limits on paved roads and near campsites. You now have a starting point for sand excursions. Make sure to check out www.DuneGuide.com for more information before you go.
 1.
St. Anthony's, Idaho
Eastern Idaho, 50 miles
northwest of Idaho Falls
10,600 acres of sand for riding
Open April 1- December 31
RV hookups and showers available
Three campgrounds
Operated by BLM
208-523-1012
No fee to ride the dunes, but
each campground has overnight
fees.
|
 2.
Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation
Area (Glamis), California
Just
under 160,000 acres for riding
Open 365 days 24/7
Open camping, no water or
electricity
Valut toilets at Gecko and
Buttercup campgrounds
Operated by BLM
760-344-3919 (October-May
Fees are $25 for a week pass;
$90 for the season (Oct. 1-Sept.
30)
This is the biggest set of dunes
in the US. It's actually divided
into four areas: Glamis, Gordon
Wells, Gecko and Buttercup. YOu
can witness it all here.
Thanksgiving Day weekend can see
over 150,000 from more than a
dozen states. All riders are
required to have helmets and
green stickers on the ATV.
Summer temperatures can reach
120 easily. Drag racing up
Oldsmobile or Competition Hill
is always a crowd pleaser. |
 3.
Little Sahara Recreation Area,
Utah
Western
Utah, 115 miles Southwest of
Salt Lake City
60,000 acres of sand
Open 365 days 24/7
215 sites in four campgrounds
Limited flush toilets
Operated by BLM
435-433-5960
Fees includes day use and
camping, $8 per vehicle in
off-season; $10 during holiday
weekends. |
 4.
Dumont Dunes, California
North
of Baker on Highway 127
10,590 acres of sand
Open 365 days 24/7
Open camping, no water or
electricity
12 vault toilets
Operated by BLM
760-252-6000
Fees are $20 per week; $60 for
an annual pass (Oct. 1-Sept. 30) |
 5.
Oregon Dunes Recreation Area,
Oregon
Western
Oregon near Florence, Reedsport
and Coos Bay
6,000 acres of open dunes, some
on the beach; 5,000 acres of
trails
Open 365 days 24/7 for camping;
sunrise to 10:30pm for riding
Over 800 campsites in numerous
campgrounds
Operated by Forest Service
541-271-3611
400 Forest Service day parking
spots
Fees include a regquired
two-year permit for $10; $5 per
day parking fees, but a $10
10-day pass and $35 annual pass
are available. |
 6. Oceano Dunes State Recreation
Area (Pismo), California
Southern
California, 12 miles south of
San Luis Obispo
Approx. 1,250 acres open during
peak season
Open 365 days 24/7
Dry camping
Vault and chemical toilets
Perated by Parks & Recreation
805-473-7220
Fees are $5 for day-use per
vehicle; $10 per night for
camping; $40 for an annual pass. |
 7.
Coral APink Dunes State Park, Utah
Southern
Utah, near Kanab
Approx. 3,500 acres of sand
Open 365 days 24/7
22 RV sites with water only
One shower building, limited
electricity
Operated by State rangers
425-648-2800
Fees (in state-run park) are $14
per night camping; $5 for each
day OHV.
The Coral Pink Dunes are often
called the most photographed
dunes in the West. Along list of
movies have been filmed in this
area. Riders younger than 18
must wear a helmet,
8-15-year-olds must have
completed a safety course, which
you can schedule to take on-site
for only $10; call
1-800-OHV-RIDE. Children under
eight years old are not allowed
to drive any ATV. Quiet hours
are strictly enforced from 10pm
to 9am, which includes
generators. There are not many
tall dunes, but you will find
lots of steep climbing to keep
you challenged. The dunes are
6000 feet above sea level, which
robs some horsepower. A 400EX
(properly jetted) could climb
most hills. The BLM section to
the north can be ridden at night
with working lights. Avoid
riding in the state are at
night, especially during quiet
time. These dunes are friendly
for all level of riders. Rangers
are on duty, and pay phones are
available. |
 8.
Little Sahara State Park,
Oklahoma
Four
miles south of Waynoka, Oklahoma
1,600 acres of sand
Open 365 days 24/7
100 RV sites with water and
electricity
100 primitive campsites
Operated by state rangers
580-824-1471
Other private campgrounds off
site
Fees are $7 per day riding; $8
for dry camping; $16 per RV
(with water and electricity
hookups); three shelters run $30
each plus camping fee. |
 9.
Sand
Mountain, Nevada
Northwestern
Nevada, 85 miles east of Reno on
Highway 50
2,400 acres open for riding
Open 365 days 24/7
No water or electricity
available
6 vault toilets
Operated by BLM
775-885-6000
Large camping area
Fees are $20 for a week pass or
$45 for an annual pass. (These
prices could be higher now)
Nearby Fallon has supplies along
with hotels and food. Holidays
can get crowded. Memorial Day
weekend is big for drag racing
enthusiasts; the crowd was
7,000-plus in last Memorial Day
weekend. This facility is under
the microscope for possible
closing of some trails. The big
dune itself is close to 3 miles
long, almost 1 mile wide and 600
fee tall. Camping is first come,
first served. Don't be surprised
if a limit is set on how many
people/campers are allowed in on
holiday weekends. Vendors are
present on big weekends. There
is a pay phone just off the main
highway, and cell phone coverage
is weak. |
 10.
Killpecker Dune, Wyoming
Southern
Wyoming
12,182 acres of white sand
Open 365 days 24/7
No water or electricity
available
2 vault toilets, 2 picnic tables
and a covered pavilion
Operated by BLM
307-352-0256
Day-use parking are
Fees are voluntary. Remember,
all money raised will go back
into campground improvements, so
be generous. To ride, you must
have a Wyoming permit, which can
be purchased at any of the three
dealerships in nearby rock
Springs.
This is a best-kept secret of
Wyoming. The sand itself is
great, and there is plenty of
it. The tallest dune is more
than 300 feet with a couple of
others almost as big. With the
altitude in nearby Rock Springs
(31 miles away) at around 6,000
feet, it's one of the highest
dunes on this list. The
elevation translates into a loss
of some horsepower from thin air
and a need to rejet. The sand is
almost pure white and reflects a
lot of sunlight. Riding while
the sun is high in the sky can
make it difficult to see the
elevation changes as you move
along. The 22-mile county road
that leads to the dunes is often
very rough and full of
washboards. In a big motor home,
top speeds are about 12 mph
before the dashboard rattle gets
excessive. Take your time and
save your suspension and tires.
There is no phone for
emergencies and wish you luck in
getting cell phones to work. |
