Dumont Dunes OHV Area: Big Bowls, Big Climbs, Big Desert Sky

Dumont Dunes OHV Area: Big Bowls, Big Climbs, Big Desert Sky


The First Run

Dumont Dunes is a monster playground rising out of the Mojave, built for anyone who lives for steep faces, deep bowls, and endless dune lines. The wind never stops shaping the sand, so every trip brings new climbs and fresh lines. Out here, the sky feels massive, the air bites, and the sand shifts under your tires—every run is different, every ride alive. People show up for the challenge: big bowls, razorbacks, and fast dune highways. But they stick around for the solitude and the raw, wide-open beauty. Out on the flats, you’ll find sand-rail legends, SxS crews, dirt bike diehards, and families turning the desert into their own pop-up town. Dumont’s got its own vibe: wild, remote, and made for anyone who loves carving a perfect line through a sea of sand.

The Dirt: Why We Rip Here

  • You’ll find the main dune field towering over the flats — steep faces, sharp ridges, and massive bowls that test your throttle control and your nerve. These dunes are big, fast, and constantly shifting.
  • Most riders chase the flowing lines on the north and east sides, where the sand shapes up into long, smooth runs—perfect for SxS and sand-rail carving. Dirt bikes hunt for the smaller cuts and pockets that show up after a windy night.
  • What catches a lot of folks off guard is just how much open desert surrounds the dunes. You can rip through rocky washes, blast across desert flats, or follow scenic routes like Sperry Wash along the old Spanish Trail.
  • Ask anyone—Dumont changes overnight. That bowl you hit yesterday? It might be twice as deep today. That ridge you trusted? Now it’s got a razorback waiting for you.
  • People come for the remote vibe. No towns, no noise, no distractions—just dunes, sky, and the sound of engines echoing across the valley.
  • Get ready for extremes: blazing heat in summer, freezing mornings in winter, and wind that can turn the dunes into a moving wall of sand.
  • Visibility flips fast out here. One gust and your tracks are gone, drop-offs are hidden, and that clean line turns into a blind crest.

Basecamp: Facilities & Camping

  • Primitive camping sits anywhere in the open area — no designated sites, no hookups, just flat desert where you can build your own camp layout.
  • RVs roll in and set up on the flats, but you’re on your own. Bring water, power, shade—everything you need for a weekend in the sand.
  • Staging areas pop up along the main access points, especially near the big dunes where everyone gathers before blasting out.
  • Showers and bathrooms stay limited to a handful of vault toilets. There’s no water, no trash service, and no amenities beyond the basics.
  • Night riding flips the script—Dumont turns into a world of rolling shadows. Only the experienced head out after dark, lights blazing and navigation dialed in.
  • Concessions show up only on big holiday weekends. Any other time, you’re heading to Baker, Shoshone, or Pahrump for supplies.
  • Dumont goes wild on holidays—Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year’s, MLK, Presidents’ Day. Huge crowds, big camps, and a festival vibe take over the dunes.

The Damage

  • Bring cash—Dumont runs on passes: daily, weekly, or seasonal. Holiday weeks cost more, and the machines want exact change.
  • Card readers? Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t—especially on busy weekends or when the wind kicks up. Best bet: grab your pass ahead of time from the Barstow Field Office.
  • Season passes come in two flavors: regular and holiday. If you’re hitting the big weekends, you want the holiday pass.
  • Camping’s covered in your entry pass—no extra charge for camping out, but you’re capped at 14 days straight.
  • No federal passes apply here — no Senior, no Veterans, no America the Beautiful. Dumont’s fee system stands alone.

Trail Rules & Safety

  • Helmets are required for all ATV riders and strongly recommended for everyone — dune crashes hit harder than they look.
  • Flags are mandatory on all OHVs, with an 8‑foot whip and a red or orange flag for visibility across the dunes.
  • Alcohol stays in camp — the dunes demand full focus, especially with blind crests and fast transitions.
  • Let loose on the trails, but keep your head up. Razorbacks, drop-offs, and shifting sand can turn a sure thing into a surprise.
  • Pets must be leashed, and the heat can be brutal — bring shade and water for them too.
  • Glass containers, pallets, and firewood with nails are banned — they destroy tires and damage the dunes.
  • Fireworks and shooting are prohibited across the entire OHV area.
  • Campfire permits are required for any flame, and restrictions tighten during fire season.
  • Stay out of the wilderness boundaries—the Kingston Range and nearby protected areas are totally off-limits to anything with a motor.

Final Throttle

Dumont Dunes is why we chase the desert. The dunes roll like waves, the wind reshapes everything overnight, and every ride is pure speed, flow, and instinct. Whether you’re carving bowls, climbing steep faces, or blasting the flats with your crew, the energy is raw, remote, and wide open. Out here, the community knows how to respect the sand and live free. You leave with sand in your boots, a sunburn on your face, and the feeling you just rode one of the West’s true icons.

The Specs

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