Overview Of Winnemucca Sand Dunes
Open: Year Round
Latitude / Longitude: 41.086305, -117.708034
Usage: Light (Moderate on holiday weekends)
Managed by: BLM / Private Land
Fee: No
Camping: Free dispersed camping with one main designated camping area off the highway at the staging area. Some noise from the highway. No amenities.
Location: Northern Nevada
Directions:
From Winnemucca NV
Travel North on Hwy 95 for 9 miles
Dunes and staging area are easily visible on the left
Winnemucca Sand Dunes
The Winnemucca Sand Dunes are the largest dune field in Nevada. The dunes are actually a series of sand dunes that stretch over 40 miles long. Some of the larger dunes are about three miles long and one to two miles across.
The highest dunes in this region are only about 100 feet high, but they stretch off into the distance as far as the eye can see.
Although the dunes aren’t very high, there is still excellent riding. You’ll find plenty of short climbs, rolling terrain and sandy trails to keep you busy.
At 4,400 feet this is a “high” desert area, but it’s not high enough to have cool summer temperatures. Summer riding is pretty unpleasant from late June to early September with temperatures in the 90s.
The shoulder seasons of October – November and April – May are ideal for riding with temperatures in the 50s and 60s. In May, temperatures begin to rise with an average of 72 degrees.
Riding is possible year round, but not ideal in the coldest part of the winter from December – February. Although the temperature aren’t too bad in the winter, it does gets into the 40s. A bit of snow is likely, but they only get about 12 inches of snow a year, so it doesn’t stick around or accumulate.
More Off-Roading In Nevada
Nevada has lots of great sand dunes open to off roading. Be sure to check out the Crescent Sand Dunes in Tonopah, Big Dune OHVA in Amargosa and Sand Mountain in Fallon.
The Nellis Sand Dunes offer some great riding just outside North Las Vegas.
- Only 10 miles to food, water, gas, motel and supplies in Winnemucca.
- These dunes are generally not crowded. But, on three day weekends, there may be 20 or so motorhomes camping.
Rules & Regulations
- All OHVs are required to be registered.
- Out of state vehicle registration is accepted and legal if the OHV is in NV for less than 15 days.
- If your vehicle is licensed for on road travel, you do not need to purchase an OHV sticker
- Whip flags are required
- A spark arrestor is required
- Mufflers and noise limits are in effect
- Campfires are permitted, but no wood is available to purchase on site
- Ride only on trails and approved riding areas
- Camp only in designated areas
- Do not burn wood containing nails, screws or other metal hardware
- No pallet or tire fires
- Respect other campers. Reduce speed to 15 mph in camping areas
- Discharge of firearms, fireworks or projectiles are not allowed
- The BLM forbids and/or strongly discourages the use of glass containers in heavy use areas
- Do not dump waste water
Nevada’s Rules of the Road
- Any motorized vehicle that doesn’t have normal safety equipment such as lights and mirrors or is not built to federal vehicle standards is designated an off-highway vehicle (OHV).
- OHVs can only be used off-highway. This includes ATVs, pocket bikes, motorized scooters and snowmobiles.
- A vehicle manufactured and designated for “off-road” or “non-road” use only, can not be driven on Nevada public streets or highways even if it has safety equipment.
- The OHV designation is usually found in ownership documents, the owner’s manual or by a U.S. DOT label attached to the frame of the vehicle.
- Only two-wheeled motorcycles can be converted to on-road use, other OHVs may not be converted.
- There are no driver license or minimum age requirements for OHVs operated off-highway in Nevada. City and county governments may designate small portions of public streets for access to or from off-road areas only. Age restrictions or other requirements may apply.
Nevada Off-Highway Vehicles Program
Nevada Trail Etiquette
- Motor vehicles are permitted on designated trails only.
- Always plan ahead and prepare for uncertainty.
- Travel with warm clothing, first aid, food, water and appropriate tools to fix a problem.
- Traveling in groups is always a good idea, as well as informing someone of where you will be going.
- Make sure your vehicle has a spark arrestor
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Trail Users