Big Dune [aka Amargosa Dunes], NV - 10/01/14

After our visit to Scotty's Castle, we traveled south toward Stovepipe Wells and turned left onto Highway 374 toward Beatty, NV.  In Beatty, we turned right onto Highway 95 south to Highway 160 west that goes to Pahrump (where we are staying until mid-November).

About 30 miles south of Beatty, we saw these huge sand dunes on the right in the middle of the Amargosa Desert. What the heck are those big sand dunes doing there?

Then I saw on the map we have of Nevada that it is just labelled Big Dune. We drove down a dirt road for a few miles, but the road was running parallel to it so we returned to 95. Tonight I did some research and have learned more about this place. You can get there by turning right onto Valley View Road off of 95, drive 2 miles west, then turn right onto a dirt road that leads to the dunes. The area is managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). There are signs posted advising visitors of protected areas.

Big Dune is a formation of sand dunes that is 5 square miles in size. The highest peak tops 500' above the surrounding terrain of the Amargosa Desert.  It is not a well known attraction (yet) and is used as a recreational area for dirt bikes and ATVs by the locals. Camping is permitted on the east and west side of the dunes.

What fun it was to discover this unexpected sight! We are learning so much about this desert environment...fascinating.

You can see some great photos of the dunes at this website:  www.silverstateghosttowns.com