Contact Info
1661 South Fourth Street
El Centro, CA 92243
El Centro, CA 92243
- Phone:
- 760-337-4400
Basics
- Location:
- Northwest of Yuma, Arizona
- Type:
- Sports & Recreation
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 expansive dune formations offer picturesque scenery, opportunities for solitude, a chance to view rare plants and animals, and a playground for OHVs.
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).
Hours + Fees
Season:
Open year round
