There are 4 main sand dunes in Washington state. From the great Moses lake dunes that are perfect for different outdoor activities to the Vantage dunes that are great for rock climbing.
In this article we’ll explore more about these beautiful dunes, how to access them, activities you can do with your family and more. If you want to have an awesome desert experience, here are the dunes in Washington.
Where To Find Sand Dunes In Washington State
There are several places where you can find sand dunes in Washington. These are:
1. Moses Lake Dunes
Moses Lake Sand Dunes are located on the southern side of Moses Lake. The Moses Lake Sand Dunes cover about 3000 acres and they provide a chance for people to do lots of activities from fishing to skiing to ATV riding.
The all-year rolling sand provides motorists an opportunity to explore the sand and adjacent to the dunes there is MudFlats about 3000 acres of sand, trails and mud that you can explore. The Mud Flats is only open from 1st July to 1st October.
Moses Lake Sand Dunes provide a beautiful space for recreational activities but you need to go there prepared because there are no amenities apart from the vault toilet. You might need to carry water and a portable umbrella for shade.
The dunes are covered with volcanic ashes so expect to get dusty. You can carry a sand snake paddle tire if you’re planning to go with your vehicle for the first time. Driving through the deep sands without a sand tire can wear your tires off and worse still damage your vehicle.
How To Get To Moses Lake Sand Dunes
Moses Lake Sand Dunes is just 4 miles away from Moses Lake City. To get to the dunes, you will need to take exit 174 off of 1-90 (ensure you follow the signs on south) or drive south on Division Street.
Camping in Moses Lake Sand Dunes
Camping is allowed in Moses Lake Sand Dunes and it’s actually free but as we said earlier, there are no amenities. There are no restrictions on campfires but you aren’t allowed to burn tires or pallets when camping.
Moses Lake Sand Dunes in Washington Rules and Regulations
- You’ll need spark arrestors
- You’ll need to get a helmet
- You’ll need a whip flag which you’ll raise 108″ above the ground
- You’re not allowed to ride ATV
Related Read: Check out other sand dunes in Arizona
2. Beverly Sand Dunes
If you’re looking for a place to start your sandboarding adventure then you might want to visit Beverly sand dunes.
This place has a small dune area, about 300 acres, and you can find sandy trails that are usually open to all OHV’s.
We normally consider Beverly Sand Dunes as the best desert to visit especially for anyone working with a tight budget. You get free parking and camping services.
The only thing you need to find a workaround is lack of amenities besides a vault toilet and a garbage bin so you have to come fully prepared.
Even though you will not pay for riding or parking, you will need to display a Discover pass and a Washington ORV Tab.
3. Vantage Sand Dunes Quincy, WA
Vantage Sand Dunes is a great place for sandboarding and desert photography. Also, if you’re a rock climber, you’ll love this rock climbing hub.
Winters are a good time to visit the Vantage Sand Dunes. And, you will need to arm yourself with heavier and warm clothes because the snow.
The desert landscapes around the Echo Basin and Frenchman Coulee gives visitors a breathtaking experience, perfect for photography.
The Vantage is a rock climbing hub with caves curved by the water during the Ice Age Floods.
You can visit there with a group of friends or family. Activities that take place in Vantage Sand Dunes are mainly hiking, mountain biking and trail running.
Related Read: Check some tents for the deserts plus hats and coolers to keep you cool.
4. Juniper Dunes Wilderness
Juniper Dunes Wilderness is located in Tri-Cities in Washington and has an elevation of 300 feet. The Juniper Dunes Wilderness area was designated by the United States Congress and now has over 7140 acres.
Juniper trees are the main vegetation you’ll find in this desert. Also, a few flowers and bushes are noticeable in spring.
The weather at Juniper does get to the extremes at times. Strong winds build the dunes and then precipitation (7-8 inches) moistures the dunes. In winter, a foot of snow drifts down.
In summer, temperatures rise above 100° Fahrenheit and the elevation ranges from 750 to 1130 feet above sea level. Surprisingly, despite the extreme weather conditions, there are animals that thrive in Juniper Dunes Wilderness.
The Wilderness is surrounded by private-owned lands. You have to get permission to travel via the old trails that come to an end at the boundary.
Getting to the Wilderness is a bit risky not unless you have a high clearance vehicle.
There are people who get stuck in the Wilderness because of the loose sand especially in summers where there is little or no moisture in the sand.
You can park the vehicle at the Off-Highway Vehicle staging area and walk up to the Wilderness gate.
Final Word
Washington state is a beautiful destination whether you’re aiming to ride the sands or have fabulous camping moments. There are a lot of things to do and sand dunes in Washington to explore. With good planning, you can find incredible sand dunes. We have mentioned four but you can go deeper and explore more.