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.
Practical info
When is the best time to visit Sand Mountain in Nevada?
The ideal time to plan the visit to the Sand Mountain area is during March - May or September - November. This would be a perfect time for riding, as the temperature remains mild. During the winter season, it might get colder and rainy, while summers might be too hot, dry, and gusty with heavy dust storms. Hence, visitors should plan the visit accordingly, avoiding harsh weather. Show more
Where is Sand Mountain located?
Sand Mountain is situated outside of Fallon, Nevada, on Highway 50, which is popularly known as the Loneliest Road in America. It is around 150 miles away from Reno, the nearest city with flight transportation. To reach the desert dune location, visitors need to travel through US-80 or US-50, each taking around 2 hours of drive time. Once arriving, the mountain can be spotted on the right side from a distance as you drive down the highway. Show more
What is the origin of the Sand Mountain in Nevada?
Sand Mountain is an ancient sand dune which was created around 10,000 years ago due to the drying of an ancient glacial Lake Lahontan. At that time, it covered an area spanning around 8,500 square miles and was one of the most extensive lakes in North America. Over time, wind and erosion from water shaped this sand dune into its current form. One of the unique features of this dune is that it creates eerie sound due to vibrating sands on its peak and has been categorised as one of the few singing sand dunes in the world. Show more
Are there any restrictions for vehicles in Sand Mountain?
The Sand Mountain Recreation Area permits off-highway vehicles, such as bikes, sandboards, and quads. However, visitors using these vehicles need to comply with all the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages the area. Vehicles need to follow the 15 miles per hour speed limit and stay within the assigned region. The area does not have any water sources, so visitors must carry bottled water for consumption during the visit. Show more
Can visitors camp in Sand Mountain and is there water available?
Sand Mountain provides camping facilities without charge, however, the area doesn't have any water provisions. Campers need to be responsible for collecting their waste and keeping the surrounding clean. BLM assigns the camping sites on a first-come and first-served basis. There are areas designated for primitive camping, but it's recommended that visitors come equipped with firewood for their open fire needs. Visitors will need to carry water for their consumption and maintenance is to be ensured by observing the Leave No Trace guidelines. Show more
