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Best time to visit Nevada

Sand Mountain in Nevada 2024

Off-road paradise for sandboarders, bikers, and quad riders

Best time: March–May | September–November

Sand Mountain Recreation Area, located outside of Fallon, has been drawing adrenaline-lovers for decades. Interestingly, this giant sand area in the middle of Nevada desert originates from the ancient glacial Lake Lahontan that dried up 10,000 years ago. Covering the area of about 8,500 square miles, Lahontan was one of the largest lakes in North America at its time. The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is open to all off-highway vehicles. Sand Mountain is great for jumps, trail riding, dirt biking, and quad riding.

The large dune is 3.2 km (2 mi) long and 182 m (600 feet) high. There are many things to enjoy when visiting this unique place, but the most amazing is that this mountain is one of the few singing sand dunes in the world. The sands vibrate together as a result of the wind and create a long eerie sound. Its sound can reach 105 decibels and last for several minutes.

Spring and fall offer the best conditions for riding at Sand Mountain. While winter can be cold and rainy, summer is super hot, dry, and windy. The Mountain is located on Highway 50, which was called the Loneliest Road in America by Life magazine. Visitors can camp in the area but mind that there is no water.

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