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| Home > California > Dumont Dunes |
Dumont Dunes
Saturday, December 14, 2024
| Other Names | Dumont, Dumont Dunes OHV Area, Dumont Dunes Motorized Trail, Sperry Wash Route, Amargosa River, Amargosa Canyon |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This popular desert area offers 8,150 acres of dunes and open sand riding. Primitive camping is permitted almost anywhere on the flat and the only amenities are vault toilets so at the very least, bring your own water and snacks.
The main dunes are very tall and steep and require big horsepower and sand tires but the smaller dunes next to the highway are ideal for beginners. A use permit is needed to access the dunes and should be purchased before entering area because the BLM is phasing out the self-pay kiosks.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Yes | Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB) |
| Whip Flags | Yes (96 inches) | Whip Flags Required For Safety |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | No Restriction | |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 ATVs | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Permitted | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | CA OHMVR restrictions apply |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
 Camping | No Restriction | (camp anywhere) |
 Campfires | No Restriction | |
| Night Riding | Yes | OHVs must have operating headlight and tailights |
| Trail Blazing | Some Areas | |
| Alcohol | No Restriction | |
| Rule Enforcement | Some | Jeep/SUV Patrol Gate Inspection |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 8,150 acres (13 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 10 | |
| Climate Type | Desert | |
| Elevation | 700 to 1200 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Heavily Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  None | |
| Hard Pack | None | |
| Sand |  All | paddle tires or sand tires recommended |
| Mud | None | |
| Dust | None | |
| Rocks |  Little | |
| Trees | None | |
| Steep Hills |  Many | |
| Water Crossings |  Few | Sperry Wash OHV Route |
| Small Jumps | Many | |
| Large Jumps |  Some | |
| Berms | None | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | None | |
| Roads | Few | |
| Intersections | All | |
| Rider Traffic | Many | |
| Shade | None | |
| Ranges/Gunfire | None | |
| Hazards | Some | (hazards not marked) Razorbacks |
 Novice |  Mostly | |
 Amateur | Some | |
 Expert | Little |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails, Off-Road Dunes |
| Land | BLM |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 30+ Miles (SW) | Baker/Valero Gas Station (760) 733-4505 |
| Diesel | 30+ Miles (SW) | Baker/Valero Gas Station (760) 733-4505 |
 Water | 30+ Miles (SW) | Baker/Valero Gas Station (760) 733-4505 |
 RV Hookup | 20-30 Miles (NE) | Delight's Hot Springs Resort (800) 928-8808 |
 RV Disposal | 20-30 Miles (NE) | Delight's Hot Springs Resort (800) 928-8808 |
| Campground | 30+ Miles (SW) | Afton Canyon Campground (760) 252-6000 |
 Conv Store | 30+ Miles (S) | Baker Country Store (760) 733-4252 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | Yes ($30.00 per vehicle) Non-Holiday Weekly Pass |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
| Comment | Holiday Weekly Pass - $40.00 |
RATINGS
| Pros | large area, nice desert scenery |
| Cons | no amenities or shade |
| Our Rating |  Very Good |
| Recommended Stay | 1-2 Days Spring/Fall |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Baker, CA | ||
| From: Baker, CA
1) Take I-15 to Valley/Kelbaker Exit 2) Turn north off the exit ramp, continue over bridge 3) Continue straight past intersection onto SR-127 (you will pass the Mad Greek restaurant on the right) 4) Continue north on SR-127 about 31 miles. 5) Little Dunes staging area will be on the right (east). Stage here or... 6) Continue 3.1 miles past Little Dunes 7) Turn right (east) on Dumont Dunes Road, continue 3 miles 8) Proceed over water crossing (passable with RVs), continue about 1 mile to staging area. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | BLM - Barstow Field Office 2601 Barstow Road Barstow, CA 92311 (760) 252-6000 blm_ca_listening@blm.gov www.blm.gov |
| Contact Info | Nevada Offroad Buggy 3054 South Valley View, #130 Las Vegas, NV 89102 (888) 755-5900 (702) 871-4911 nevadaoffroadbuggy@gmail.com |
| Comment | Sells Dumont Dunes Pass |
| Contact Info | Doghouse Repair 1371 W. Basin Ave Pahrump, NV 89060 (775) 727-9344 www.doghouserepair.com |
| Comment | Sells Dumont Dunes Pass |
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
The main dunes at Dumont are scenic and huge with lots of razorbacks and varying slopes to keep it interesting.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
This is actually the entrance to the smaller dunes staging area, which is a nice alternative to the main staging area for families and beginners.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
Things were quiet on this day, but on holiday weekends, like anywhere, it can be a real carnival. Note how huge some of the climbs can be so use judgement and be safe.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
Some areas like this are off limits for riding, but make for a pretty good backdrop. You can see these particular hills from the main access road.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
There are large expansive flat areas and gentle rolling hills where you can camp and ride. (Just make sure you can be seen. Don't camp or stage on the back side of a hill or in a dip and keep a light on.)
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
This is a view of the main dune, front and center that you see when you enter.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
This rocky and sandy 4x4 route begins near the entrance to the main dunes area and it's a nice alternative to the pure sand dunes if you want to do some desert riding.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
Dumont dunes has some of the best scenery around.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
Here is a better look at how expansive the flats are. You can ride and camp anywhere on this flat but stay offf the vegetation.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
Here is an example of some smaller dunes and jumps that are great for beginners and young kids.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
The main dunes.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
Only big horsepower machines can reach the top of the larger dunes and a sand tire or paddle tire is needed.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
This is another view of the main staging area.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
This isn't a huge area but the backdrop makes it my favorite dunes in California.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
One of the nice things about Dumont is all of the open flat space for kids and beginners to really ride with no worries.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
There are also some mild dunes here. These are a lot of fun too.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
There is a shallow water crossing on the main road on the way to the staging area. It looks wide sometimes but it is very shallow and the bottom is paved.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
Adjacent to the dunes before you cross over the water this trail heads out into the flat.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
A view of the dunes with the mountains in the backdrop.
Dumont Dunes OHV Area Photo
This is the water you will have to cross to get into the park. It looks worse than it is though. There is pavement underneath so it's no problem for any 2WD vehicle.
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS