I’m a sucker for views featuring massive waves of sand that have come to define our idea of a desert. While less than 1% of the park actually contains sand dunes, the characteristics of these places are what most people imagine when they think of Death Valley. Thanks to millions of years of wind, weather and erosion, you can find a few different sand dunes in Death Valley National Park.
Why are there Sand Dunes in Death Valley?
Although the majority of people think all of Death Valley is covered in sand, that’s totally not the case. With less than 1% of the entire 3.4 million acres featuring dunes, a number of environmental factors allow for the creation of the sandy mounds.
First and foremost, there must be a source of sand, which we can obviously find here in the northern Mojave. Consistent streams of wind must also occur, which we can find in Death Valley due to the rapid temperature changes. There also must be a place for the sand to collect and remain trapped. A valley floor surrounded by mountains is the opportune spot for that, like here in Death Valley.
What Creates the Sand Dunes in Death Valley?
Let’s take our three factors that create dunes (sand, wind, a place to collect) and then analyze what leads to the creation of the sand dunes. Canyons from the mountain ranges surrounding the valley floor have eroded over time. Since these canyons are at a higher elevation, water and debris from above wash through, bringing multitudes of sand with it. As the winds consistently blow, that sand transports to an area where it becomes trapped by the mountains. There are only a few places where that can happen in Death Valley.
The Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park
Because outlying factors don’t often affect the sand dunes in Death Valley National Park, they are optimal places for geographical studies. It’s important to note that all of the dunes in Death Valley are protected as wilderness. Off-roading is prohibited throughout the park as well as sand boarding, except at Mesquite Flat.
Be sure to check the NPS website here for any alerts or road conditions within the park
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
The world-renowned vast sand dunes known as Mesquite Flat are the most popular in Death Valley. While the highest dune is only around 100 feet tall, the entire area makes up the largest concentration of sand dunes in the park.
You can find three different types of dunes at Mesquite Flat, crescent, linear and star-shaped. My favorite area of the dunes exist in the southern portion where less footprints are found. In some lower areas, you may notice a white-tiled flooring under the sand. This is a Polygon-cracked clay floor, all that remains of the ancient lake that used to be here.
Be careful walking barefoot out on these dunes; the sand can become so hot, it’ll burn the bottom of your feet. Mesquite trees, which are located throughout the dunes, aren’t fun to step on either. They play an important role here though, creating large mounds that provide safe shelter for many different types of wildlife.
Visiting Today: Located in a central area of Death Valley near Stovepipe Wells, find the parking area for Mesquite Flat just off CA-190. These are the only dunes where sand boarding is permitted.
Eureka Sand Dunes
Some of the most intriguing dunes in Death Valley are the Eureka Sand Dunes. Located in a remote area of the park, the dunes are nestled in an enclosed basin at 3000 feet in elevation. Even though the area is only 3 miles long and 1 mile wide, it features sky high sandy hills. At nearly 700 feet at their highest, these are the tallest dunes in California and even North America. The true stunner is the 4000 foot backdrop of the Last Chance Mountains.
If the sand is dry on your visit, keep your ears open for the desert phenomenon known as singing sand. Due to the friction of the grain sliding against the dunes, you can hear the a subtle sound when the sand slips. Dunes also have the ability to hold water in them like a cactus. The Eureka Sand Dunes receive more rainfall than any others in the park being at the base of these mountains.
Geologists believe that these dunes have existed for over 10,000 years. This has allowed various insects, plants and animals to thrive that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. A threatened species found at higher elevations in the dunes is the Eureka Dunegrass. The Eureka Evening Primrose is a type of flower that only blooms at night. It also shelters bugs escaping the intense heat during the day. The Shining Milkvetch is on the endangered species list and reflects light and heat with its hairs to retain moisture.
Visiting Today: Located in the northwest area of Death Valley, accessing the dunes is possible in most standard vehicles but will be a trip to get to. If traveling from the central area on CA-190, head north on Scotty’s Castle Road. Take a left for the Ubehebe Crater Road. The Eureka Dunes are about 45 miles south from there. These dunes are very fragile so sand boarding is prohibited.
Saline Valley Sand Dunes
The ancient salt lake of Saline Valley contains perfect conditions for where sand dunes can collect and become trapped. While the Saline Valley Sand Dunes cover a vast area, the remoteness and difficult access are why they rarely see people. Acting as the lowest-elevated sand dunes in the park, the Saline Valley Sand Dunes are a sight to see. The 10,000 feet-high Inyo Mountains provide a contrasting backdrop to the dunes.
Visiting Today: Access the Saline Valley Sand Dunes via a long, rough road requiring a high clearance vehicle and 4-wheel drive. The easiest way to reach them is from CA-190 on the west side of the park. Take the Saline Valley Alternate Route north for 5 miles until reaching the junction to Saline Valley Road. Take that for 40 miles until you arrive at the sand dunes. In the winter, snow and flash floods can limit access to the dunes. Sand boarding is prohibited.
Amargosa Sand Dunes
While they’re not technically located within Death Valley National Park, my personal favorite dunes are just over the border of Nevada in Amargosa Valley. The main attraction here is Big Dune, which rises more than 500 feet. Covering a total of 5 square miles, the Amargosa Dunes exist as west Nevada’s best kept secret.
Since you can’t indulge in your favorite dune activities in Death Valley, the Amargosa Sand Dunes are exactly where to go for recreation. Bring the dune buggies, the sand boards and the camera to brace yourself for this stunningly sandy spot.
Visiting Today: Access the Amargosa Sand Dunes 15 miles east of Beatty via US-95. Turning on Valley View Blvd., find the dunes 2 miles west of here via a dirt road. 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for visiting.
Panamint Sand Dunes
While all dunes in Death Valley sit on a valley floor, the Panamint Sand Dunes exist high on a slope. Although accessibility isn’t easy, the dunes supply a dramatic view of Death Valley if you make it to the top.
Visiting Today: Accessing the Panamint Sand Dunes are the hardest of the bunch. Traveling along CA-190, take find an unmarked dirt road heading north, 2 miles east of Panamint Valley Road. Drive 5 miles north until road’s end then hike 3 miles cross country over to the dunes. Sand boarding is prohibited here.
Ibex Sand Dunes
The southernmost sand dunes in Death Valley National Park are also the second-most frequented. Since the Ibex Sand Dunes aren’t visible from the road, you’ll have to travel a little further to find them.
On the east side of the dunes at the base of the Saddle Peak Hills is an old talc mine, providing a stunning view with the sandy backdrop. Also featuring a crackled-ground from an ancient lakebed, the dunes are one of the more unique sets in Death Valley. Unlike the other sandy areas, Ibex doesn’t form a continuous dune field. It instead appears as a series of distinct patches stretching for about 2 miles. In the southern portion of Ibex is the tallest dune with smaller mounds surrounding it.
Visiting Today: Located in the southeast area of Death Valley National Park, find the Ibex Dunes via the Saratoga Springs Road. You can access this high-clearance/4-wheel drive road 25 miles south of Shoshone off of CA-127. From the beginning of the Saratoga Springs Road, find parking for the dunes in about 8 miles. Accessing the area usually requires about a mile hike. Sand boarding is prohibited.
Be sure to check out my Death Valley archive here for more first-hand tips for exploring!
Before heading into natural areas, it’s imperative that you’re familiar with the “Leave No Trace” principles.
Read More: Leave No Trace: The 7 Rules of the Backcountry
Learn more about Leave No Trace on their website here.
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