If you are the type of person who leaves for vacation with a couple of quads on a trailer hitched to the back of your SUV, then this list is just for you. It does not matter if you live in the middle of the United States or on one of the coasts, there are plenty of opportunities to rattle down dunes here in the U.S.
St. Anthony Sand Dunes, Idaho
This 10,600-acre playground of clear, shifting, white quartz sand is well-known for both its beauty and its recreation opportunities. Throughout the years, prevailing winds carried the sand from the nearby Teton and Snake Rivers and left them as dunes among the hills. Today, these dunes are not only a popular spot for off-road vehicles, they are also home to the Wilderness Study Area that houses one of the largest herds of wintering elk in the United States.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
In 1972, 32,186 acres of dunes, forest, streams, and lakes were set aside as the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Located between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, nearly fifty miles in length, this recreation spot is the largest area of dunes in the country. There are places along the stretch where the dunes extend 2.5 miles inland, and some are as high as 500 feet, making it a great location for off-road vehicles.
Sand Lake, Oregon
Sand Lake Recreation Area is a popular off-road vehicle site in Oregon that includes 1,076 acres of the Siuslaw National Forest. The area sits adjacent to the ocean beaches of Cape Lookout and the mouth of the Sand Lake Estuary. The place has become a popular destination over the last several years. Due to the increased demand on Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day weekends, there are only 1,200 permits available during these days and each off-road vehicle must have both be licensed and in possession of a permit.
Hot Well Dunes Recreation Center in Safford, Arizona
This 2,000-acre area of rolling sand dunes offers a stellar opportunity for off-highway-vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts. All types of vehicles including sand rails, ATV’s, motorbikes, and four-wheel- drive trucks are allowed to ride anywhere within the fenced boundary. For those who might be less familiar with riding or are looking for a slower pace, there are low, sparsely vegetated dunes available. In addition, there are several larger dunes that provide a challenge for the more adventurous rider.
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