Kelso Sand Dunes

These massive sand dunes rise 650 feet above the desert floor, stretching across 45 square miles of golden sand. The dunes are famous for their “singing” — a deep booming sound that occurs when you slide down the steep faces or when wind moves the sand. The acoustics are strongest on the tallest dune faces during dry conditions. No official trails exist; it’s pure sandbox exploration where you make your own path up the shifting slopes.

Access via Kelso Dunes Road, a 3-mile dirt road off Kelbaker Road that’s suitable for most vehicles when dry but can be soft sand after storms. The parking area has pit toilets but no water. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light and cooler temperatures for the steep climb to the top. Footprints disappear quickly in the shifting sand.

Singing sand dunes in the heart of the Mojave