Imperial Sand Dunes
DETAILS:
Overview: The Imperial Sand Dunes (also known as the Algodones Dunes or Glamis Dunes) is the largest mass of sand dunes in California and resides just above the Mexican border. It runs 40 miles long and 5 miles wide against the eastern edge of the Imperial Valley. With a system this large, there are countless entry points to access the dunes, but the area can generally be split up into 3 major sections of visitation; Mammoth Wash, Glamis/Gecko, and Buttercup Valley.
Directions: Just over 200 miles southeast from Los Angeles (50 miles SE of the Salton Sea). It will take 3-4 hours to get there depending on traffic and whichever access point you chose to enter the dunes from.
Hours of Operation: 24/7 with appropriate permits.
Parking: In regards to the Osbourne Overlook, parking is free for 2 hours on a first come, first served basis.
Cost: Permits are required for extended hikes, camping, and OHV access. See “Resources” below for current fees.
Time Commitment: Variable. Without taking advantage of an OHV (off-highway vehicle) experience, two hours is plenty to get a solid feel for the area.
Miscellaneous: The epitome of desert conditions, temperatures can easily exceed 100 degrees come springtime into summer, so I would recommend going in the winter months if that’s an option. We went in February and it was comfortably in the 70s. Sunscreen and plenty of water are obvious musts.
The Imperial Sand Dunes are literally one of the most popular OHV areas in the country, and you can find plenty of companies that offer rentals if that’s something that interests you, but make sure to book in advance! We weren’t able reserve one in time, so it’s something I hope to do the next time we visit. On that same note, make sure you keep an eye out for OHVs when you’re exploring the dunes since they can appear out of nowhere from over a ridge at any given moment if you’re not paying attention.
You first realize you must be getting close when wisps of sand begin to blow across the highway in front of you until it finally comes into view off in the distance. Like a mirage in reverse, you can’t quite reconcile what lays ahead since the terrain begins to resemble that of the African Sahara much more than anything you might find in Southern California. But as you get closer, the sight it unmistakable; miles upon miles of rolling sand dunes that would rival those anywhere else in the world. You half expect to see Luke Skywalker and Han Solo zoom past you on their skiff as they fight off Jabba the Hutt and his merciless crew. You wouldn’t be completely wrong in this assumption since the Imperial Sand Dunes is where they filmed this memorable scene in Return of the Jedi, but thankfully for all of us, no Sarlacc’s pit is within sight, or at least we think.
As impressive as these sand dunes appear on the big screen (the afore mentioned Return of the Jedi, Dune… obviously, American Sniper, The Scorpion King, Spaceballs, etc.), they are even more stunning in person if only because you can’t quite comprehend how any of this exists just a few hours outside of LA. In a region this vast, it can be somewhat daunting as to where to begin, but after a little research, we opted for the Osborne Overlook (off of highway 78 and pinned in the map below) as our access point to the dunes. This ended up being the perfect location for our quick excursion since it was equipped with a decent bathroom, a small covered area to escape the sun if need-be, free 2 hour parking, and an elevated location that allowed for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. From here, you can venture into the dunes by foot and that’s exactly what we did to experience the area first hand.
The sand is pervasive. You may not have intended your trip here as a workout but make no mistake that your legs will burn with lactic acid as you labor up one peak after another, some of which can rise as high as 300 feet off the desert floor. But I promise that scene around you will be worth. The dunes are an OHV paradise and you will no doubt encounter more than one of these Mad Max disciples along the way. To see them careening to and fro upon the roadless dunes was a sight to behold and I found myself jealous that I was not riding alongside them. Next time.
