Top 10 Sand Dune Riding Locations

Story by Seth Fargher. 4

Oceano Dunes – California

(Photo courtesy Jason McClintock)

One of the smaller riding locales on our list, the Oceano Dunes Recreation area, also known as Pismo Beach, earns a spot on the list for its long-standing history as one of America’s favorite dune locations. The only dune riding area in California with beach access, some say that vehicles have been driving on the beach along this stretch of coastline for over 100 years. Despite only 1,500 acres of open sand, the opportunity to both ride, as well as camp right on the beach, makes this a popular duning destination for many California residents. It also plays host to the Pismo beach Huckfest, a crazy event where people will launch anything from an SUV to a full blown trophy truck to see who can jump the farthest.

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  • Soneone annoyed at having to enter a name.

    Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan is small, crowded to the point that it is difficult to get in on holiday weekends, and closes at dusk meaning no night riding or camping in the dunes. Years ago they stopped allowing motor vehicles within a couple hundred feet of the beach and have a number of annoying and overprotected rules and regulations.

    But…it’s still packed all summer long requiring them to limit access on most weekends because they are the only ride-able dunes east of the Mississippi River, where most of the US population resides. I will not deny that based on the merits of the riding area alone it does not necessarily deserve to push one of these other locations off this top 10 list. That said, it deserves an honorable mention for being the only option within a reasonable distance for a huge part of the nation’s population.

  • Jared

    Great article! I was at Sand Hollow this past weekend. Had a blast, only took the paddles this time because we were riding for just a few hours. If you plan to ride all day keep your dirt tires on so you can venture around the trail system. 

  • cesar

    Here in Necochea, Argentina have one of the best dunes of the south atlantic coast.

  • Darrenn

    The only thing bad about Glamis is that the heat is only tolerable a few months of the year. Otherwise, it is amazing! If you make it out there, get away from the crowds and camp as far awa from the main road as possible. I’ve ridden all day on the best dunes there and only seen a couple of people. The area that was formerly closed due to a rare milkweed is open again and most people either don’t know it or just don’t venture out that far. Plenty of fresh sand to ride on!