Imagine a sea of dunes, some 300 feet tall, stretching for 40 miles to the horizon, like some foreign land you have just stumbled upon. This sandy wonder is known as Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, and is one of the most popular film locations for movies involving sandy settings.

This huge sand box is located only 20 miles west of Yuma, which serves as a gateway for all off-road driving enthusiasts – more than a million of them come every year in spite of all the heat. There are several camping areas including Buttercup, Grays Well, Gecko, and Roadrunner; all sites have parking pads and toilets.

Address: State Historic Park,201 N. 4th Avenue,Yuma, AZ 85364, Phone: 800-293-007

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.