NATTIESPASSPORTDIARIES

Golden sand as far as the eye can see, and I’m talking 40 miles of it. Once you get there, you feel like you’re in a different country, maybe the Arabian desert. You might have seen this in one of your favorite movies, like Star Wars, Lawrence of Arabia, The Scorpion King, and many others. On my way home from a road trip to Arizona, I drove by these huge sand mountains that are at least 300 feet above desert grounds. It was such a view that I instantly turned into the parking spot to check it out. It was around 4pm in February, so the sun was setting, and the sand was just so serene. While I was only there for maybe an hour it was a beautiful addition to my road trip. The Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, known as Glamis or Algondones Dunes, is the largest off-highway vehicle recreation area of sand dunes in the state! So, if you’re an off roader, camper, motorcyclist or even an influencer, this place is,
definitely for you!

How to get there:
Coming from Yuma: Hop on the I-8 W, take exit 159 Co Hwy S34/Ogliby Rd, then turn left onto CA-78 W and follow Gecko Rd to the destination (~ 1.5 hours).
Coming from Phoenix: Hop on the I-10 W, take exit 236, then follow to CA-78 W to the destination (~ 3.5 hours).
Coming from San Diego: take the I-8 E to CA-111N, take exit 118B. Take E Evan Hewes Hwy/E Holton Rd, turn left on CA-115 N, the right onto CA-78 E, turn right onto Gecko Rd (~ 2.5 hours).

Things to do:
Glamis is a very popular spot for campers and off roaders. The main activity is all-terrain vehicle riding. People love camping here in RVs, which is the most comfortable, since there is no running water and the campgrounds are pretty primitive, or in tents if that’s more your vibe. From trucks, to jeeps, to ATVs, to
dirt bikes, people have been bringing it all here. There are 3 camping spots at the dunes: Gecko Road, the Flats (busiest and loudest), and the Washes (more private and spacious, and best for first timers). There’re a couple shops in the area where you could rent out 4-wheelers and enjoy the dunes, if you don’t have your own! A lot of couples love the dunes for photoshoots, as well as photographers and influencers. Think about miles and miles of golden sand and a whole lot of creativity. Another big thing for people coming here is meditation, yoga and whole lot of opportunities for solitude. If I wanted to escape the busy world and find some peace and quiet to reflect and reconnect with myself, this would be a great place for me to go to.

Permits:
Permits are required in the wintertime starting from October 1^st till April 15^th each year. They run about $35 per week if you buy it ahead of time, or $50 per week if bought on site. You could also buy a season permit for $150. You could get your permits on the Imperial Sand Dunes’ website here: https://www.isdpermits.net/

If you want to camp and start a fire, you need a permit specifically for that. Campfire permits are required for any open fires like BBQs, portable stoves, and just regular campfires on any federally managed lands. Another thing to keep in mind, campfires can only be permitted on days where the air quality allows it, so it is not guaranteed that you’ll be able to get the permit and start a fire. You can get your campfire permit online here: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/burn-permit-information/ .

What to bring:

You absolutely need to bring WATER!! Depending on how long you are staying, you need to bring your own water supply because there isn’t any drinking water at the dunes. There are a couple vendors around the camping areas, but I wouldn’t depend on it because vendors come and go. There is a shop in the area that you could drive to, but nothing that is onsite. I would absolutely bring sunscreen and the right clothing depending on the weather during your trip. If you are camping, you’d need your basic day-to-day items, maybe bug spray, first aid kit, and of course some snacks because everyone loves snacks. For campers who would want to start a little fire and chill at night, you can buy the wood in Glamis instead of hauling it with you from home.

I am always on the lookout for unique and hidden SoCal gems and would love sharing my honest thoughts about them! Let me know if you like this place or if you plan on visiting Glamis soon!

xoxo, Nattie