Dumont Dunes OHV Area

Dumont Dunes sprawls across 8,000 acres of pure sand in the Mojave Desert, offering the closest thing California has to an Arabian sand sea. The dunes rise up to 300 feet above the desert floor, creating natural half-pipes and bowls that attract everyone from sandrail pilots to motorcycle riders testing their mettle against gravity. Comp Hill serves as the proving ground where weekend warriors attempt the near-vertical climb that separates pretenders from the real deal — expect to see plenty of spectacular failures and occasional triumphs.

Easy to moderate difficulty depending on where you point your vehicle, but don’t underestimate the sand’s ability to swallow underpowered rigs. You’ll want aired-down tires, recovery gear, and plenty of water since temperatures regularly hit triple digits. Best visited October through April when the desert isn’t actively trying to kill you. No permits needed, but camping requires paying the fee station. What you get is pure freedom to explore terrain that changes with every windstorm, plus some of the best stargazing in Southern California.