Contact Info
Highway 78 to I-8
Near El Centro, CA
Near El Centro, CA
Basics
- Location:
- Around El Centro
- Length:
- Miles and miles of trails
- Time:
- 3 hours+
Description
The Imperial Sand Dunes are a 40-mile long dune system. They are one of the largest in the United States. Formed by windblown beach sands of ancient Lake Cahuilla, some crests reach heights of over 300 feet. These grand dunes set a dramatic scene, and besides riding your off-road vehicle up and down these dunes, you'll want to keep an eye out for rare plants and animals.
The BLM manages portions of the dunes system for different uses. The portion of the dunes south of California State Route 78, is a popular OHV recreation area. Two BLM campgrounds along paved Gecko Road provide hard surface parking, vault toilets, and trash facilities. The Cahuilla Ranger Station, located on Gecko Road, is open weekends during the winter season (October-May). Other portions of the Imperial Sand Dunes include Mammoth Wash (north of Algodones Dunes Wilderness) and Buttercup Valley (south of Interstate 8).
Attractions
Helpful Links
Attractions
Details
Location:
Around El Centro
Length:
Miles and miles of trails
This is an area, rather than a trail, and you can offroad endlessly.
This is an area, rather than a trail, and you can offroad endlessly.
Time:
3 hours+
