OCEANO DUNES STATE RECREATION VEHICLE AREA (PISMO BEACH, CALIFORNIA)

(4 hours south of San Francisco and 2.5 hours north of Los Angeles,off of Highway 101)

I live two hours north of Pismo Beach for eight months of the year, so I frequent this area the most. While some of the park has been closed due to conservation, there is some good dune riding without having to drive twelve hours to Glamis. We usually have 6 to 8 Pilots at a time running through the dunes. These are not wimpy, slow runs through the dunes - we are at full throttle for an hour or more at a time. Somebody will most likely turn one over. Our wheels show the damage of close riding. The leader stays out front while the rest of battle for position.

This is the only off road area on the West Coast, open to the public, that permits camping on the beach. The sand is grainy, not silty like the sand in the Glamis area, so traction is a little better. You can find us at Pismo from Easter to Labor Day on holiday weekends camped at Pole 4 - look for my Weekend Warrior, green F350 and a ton of Pilots. Stop by and say hello!

The park is occasionally closed due to heavy surf conditions during the winter months. 

For more information check out : Oceano Dunes SVRA Home Page

COOS BAY, OREGON

(2 hours north of the California/Oregon border off of Highway 101)

This area, by far, is the most scenic dune area I have ever ridden. Big dunes with trees and ponds throughout the area. Our preferred area to camp is Horsefal Campground just north of Coos Bay. The camping area is paved and easily accessible. Take an hour and a half ride to Spinreel and grab some grub and a soda. Then turn around and head back to camp through the most beautiful dune area on the West Coast.

BUTTERCUP RECREATION AREA

(20 miles west of Yuma Arizona,40 miles east of El Centro off of Interstate 8)

Buttercup is the southern extension of the Algodones Dunes. These dune runs from north of Glamis to Mexico. While I believe you must experience Glamis at least once, Buttercup is not as crowded or dusty as Glamis. Big dunes abound and plenty of Pilot-friendly desert riding is available. Camping is easy for the motorhomes and two wheel drives. The area is located off of Interstate 8 at the Grays Well exit. This area is managed by the BLM. More information is available at their site.

DUMONT DUNES

I have not had the pleasure of riding at Dumont, but a few of my friends from the Fresno area frequent this area. I will update about this area as soon as I get some info from Terry or Ray. This area is managed by the BLM. More information is available at their site.

SAND MOUNTAIN, NEVADA

I am planning a summer trip to Sand Mountain. I will update after the trip!