Overview

Out in the seldom visited, far northern end of Desert National Wildlife Refuge lies Desert Dry Lake, a dry lakebed that covers some 15 square miles. As a result of several millennia of prevailing winds blowing out of the west, two dune fields have developed. One is located at the northeast corner of the dry lakebed (Desert Dry Lake Dunes North), and the other is located at the southeast corner of the dry lake bed (Desert Dry Lake Dunes South).

At Desert Dry Lake Dunes North, the main dune field covers about 0.6 square miles (370 acres), with an additional sandy area covering another 0.2 square miles (130 acres). The dunes probably are not 100 feet high, but they feel high when trying to climb to the highpoint. The sand drifts, but some parts are vegetated with annual flowers and a few perennial grasses and shrubs.

This hike is about 2 miles round trip with minimal elevation gain.

Link to a map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking in the desert, ...this is a pretty safe hike. Depending on road conditions, the trailhead might be accessible with a 2WD-HC vehicle, but inquire locally or use a 4WD vehicle just to be sure. Be sure to keep sand out of your camera gear.

While hiking, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this hike is fairly short, it is remote, so be sure to bring the 10 Essentials. This is a wildlife refuge, so pay extra attention to respecting the land and the wildlife out there.

Location

Desert Dry Lake Dunes North is located on the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, but up towards Alamo (northeast of Las Vegas), and it is a full day trip to get there.

From town, the quickest way to get there is to drive north on Interstate-15 for 21 miles to Exit 64. Exit onto Highway 93 northbound. Consider topping off the gas tank at the truck stop, as this is the last gas station except for going out of the way to Alamo.

At 66.5 miles out, turn left onto Pahranagat Headquarters Entrance Road, then stay right onto Alamo Road. Drive west and then south for 21.3 miles to Dunes North Trailhead (Site 0735) on the left. Drivers may also continue south on Alamo Road for another 1.4 miles to Dunes South Trailhead (Site 0736), on the left.

The other dune field, Desert Dry Lake Dunes South, is located another 4.5 miles south along Alamo Road.

The Hike

From the North Trailhead (Site 0735), the new trail runs out 0.7 miles to the old trailhead (Table 2, Wpt. 01) on the edge of the dunefield. The trail continues, but there is only sand, and hikers are on their own to find a fun way to the highpoint (Wpt. 02) of the dunes. Note that the dunes move; the highpoint may have moved since I recorded the waypoint. When ready to leave, wander back towards the old trailhead (Wpt. 01), which can be seen from most places in the dunes, and then follow the old back to Alamo Road.

From the South Trailhead (Site 0736), the old-road trail continues 0.5 miles to the old trailhead (Wpt. 03), and from there, again, there is only sand, and hikers are on their own to find a fun way to the highpoint (Wpt. 02). When ready to leave, wander back towards the south trailhead (Wpt. 03), which can be seen from many places in the dunes, and then follow the old-road trail back to Alamo Road.