All Activity

Every year, Dumont around New Year’s is a little different, a little chaotic, and usually a lot of fun. Based on our DDR group Facebook poll, most people aren’t planning a quick weekend trip, they’re coming out for the whole week. With New Year’s landing midweek this year, it makes sense to stay put, ride when you want, and not worry about packing up right away. At Dumont, New Year’s is about more than just riding. It’s campfires, music, cold drinks, and whatever random stuff ends up happening once the sun goes down. Fireworks are illegal at Dumont, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see or hear them once midnight rolls around. Be prepared for that especially with your pets! If you’re heading out for the week, make sure your rigs are ready, fuel and food are handled, and stock plenty of firewood. This is typically the coldest time of the year at Dumont, and nighttime temps drop fast once the sun goes down. Vendor Row should also be active, with vendors on site for parts, supplies, and the usual essentials that keep long trips running smoothly. New Year’s at Dumont is usually a medium-busy holiday. The dunes see steady traffic, the camps stay active, and the new year starts the same way it always does out there, in the sand, with plenty going on around camp, Comp, and other hotspots like Swingset and the North Pole.

Every December the crowds thin out, the air cools down, and the dunes seem to slow everything down just enough to remind me why I fell in love with Dumont in the first place. Buggy Roundup lands right in that sweet spot, two weeks after Thanksgiving and about two weeks before Christmas, and it’s always a weekend I look forward to more than anything else in the season. Buggy Roundup didn’t start as a big deal. Thirteen years ago, I’d be out at Dumont, spotting the same sandcars over and over, thinking, I know that car, but I don’t know the owner. Everyone recognized each other’s rigs, waved to each other on dune rides or when passing each other’s camp, and that was it. I thought it would be cool to pick one weekend where all the sandcar guys could camp in the same place, ride together, and actually get to know each other. It was just a simple idea, but over the years, it’s grown into what it is today, a weekend where the community comes together, old friends reconnect, and new friendships form, all centered around the dunes and the sandcars we love. This year was our 13th annual Buggy Roundup and it did not disappoint. A few early arrivals showed up Wednesday to claim camp. By Thursday morning, most of us had set up in our usual spot across from Bathroom 10. This day was all about getting settled in, checking out rigs, catching up with friends, and meeting a few new faces. By late afternoon, the itch to ride hit, and we set out for a sunset ride, finishing on Sunset Hill just as the light started to fade. Friday we kicked things up a notch with dual group rides, something new this year. Justin from Sand Cars Unlimited led a group south while I took another group north. The goal was simple, give everyone room to run and a chance to ride closer to the front. It mostly worked, though a few random buggies appeared mid-ride and added a little chaos, just enough to keep things interesting. Both groups ended up at Comp Hill. Some guys pulled wheelies, but most were just happy to stop, chat, and hang out. That’s really what Buggy Roundup is about, the rides are fun, but the real reason everyone comes back year after year is for the camaraderie. We’ve built something that goes beyond just showing up at the dunes, it’s a community of sandcar guys who share the same passion, who mostly just support each other and have respect, swap stories, give advice, and just enjoy hanging out together. After Comp Hill, we headed back to camp for the traditional buggy weigh-in, no prizes, no competition, just a chance to see what your car weighs and talk a little crap with friends who get it. Friday evening ended with another sunset ride, always the best way to chase the last light across these dunes ending at the North Pole. Saturday morning started with our tradition of Sandcars & Coffee, a great way to kick off the day. This year brought over 100 sandcars together with the unofficial number was something like 106. After a little breakfast and coffee, we rolled out for the main group ride. Over 100 cars roared south, passing by Tim and Kawai taking some action shots of everyone, then carved the face hills, looped north, and finished at the Dumont sign for a group photo. Not the cleanest photo in the world, but that’s not the point. Doug led a slower-paced ride north, and although we had talked about our plan ahead of time, the two lines of buggies still ended up coming together. I had to get creative, picking some interesting lines over rough razorbacks that had been jacked up by the recent rain. With that many cars running together, it’s amazing just to watch the line stretch out across the dunes. Looking back at the endless snake of buggies as it winds through the sand is impressive, almost mesmerizing. The group rides aren’t really about speed, there’s no way to hammer down with that many cars, but we managed to have fun at a good pace, even with the chaos. It’s just so cool seeing the dunes come alive like that! The afternoon brought the raffle, with prizes both donated and purchased, including an impressive custom clock made by my buddy Gary, the chrome buggy hitch plug, and a really cool 13th Annual Roundup trophy built by Alex and Sergio, the Monster Jack guys. The clock features the Buggy Roundup logo set inside some transmission gears, a really cool piece of art, and the chrome hitch plug has become a fun tradition, passed around each year to someone new. Theron Merrill scored the clock and hitch plug, while Michelle and Terron took home the 13th Annual Roundup trophy. Energy was high, everyone was laughing, and the raffle was a fun way to bring everyone together in the afternoon and give away some fun prizes. After the raffle, we didn’t waste any time and headed out for one final sunset rip, finishing on Sunset Hill like always. The light was perfect, the dunes were quiet, and it was a great way to soak in the weekend before heading back into camp. That night, Leonard helped us get a huge bonfire going, and Allen kept feeding it firewood all night, making it almost comically huge, forcing everyone to back up from the intense heat. We added a little something new this year with bourbon and s’mores, which went over better than expected, and of course, a couple of the late-night fire jumps went from being a joke to something that had to happen. We built a ramp out of firewood and an old table, and Ryder nailed it while Brian barely made it on an ATC. It was pretty funny, and luckily nobody got hurt. Later on, for those who stuck around the fire, we handed out popcorn, a little treat to cap off the night. At the end of the weekend, it all comes down to the people who show up, the community we’ve built, and the energy everyone brings. Each year, old friends reconnect, new friendships form, and the dunes feel alive in a way that only happens when we’re all out here together. Thank you to everyone who came out and made BRU 13 exactly what it is, a weekend full of laughs, chaos, and memories we’ll be talking about until next year. Can’t wait to see you all at BRU 14 next December! Best trip of the season! And for those who know...what's the first rule of Buggy Roundup? Photos by Tim... CLICK HERE FOR TIM'S GREAT PHOTOS FROM BUGGY ROUNDUP 13 Want in for next year? No problem! Stay tuned here and join the Dumont Dune Riders Facebook group!

Thanksgiving Weekend falls on November 27–30, 2025, and it’s one of the more popular trips of the year. If history holds, we can also expect to see the Dune Masters and Sand Pipers out there hosting their annual hill climbs, and possibly some drag action as well. Stay tuned for confirmation as the weekend gets closer.

The 2025/26 Dumont season is here, and the first big holiday weekend is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for Halloween weekend, October 30 – November 2, 2025. As always, Halloween is one of the most popular and fun weekends at Dumont. Camps fill up, costumes come out, and the dunes light up with glow whips, spooky setups, and plenty of Halloween spirit. Many duners go all out decorating their camps with lights, inflatables, and themed displays—making the night rides through camp a tradition of their own. 🕸️ Trick-or-Treating Saturday night trick-or-treating around camp is back again this year. Kids (and adults!) can make the rounds in costume, and it’s always a blast to see the creativity that shows up in the dunes. Be sure to bring some candy to hand out so everyone can join in the fun! 🚗 Trunk-or-Treat at Vendor Row The Friends of Dumont Dunes group will also be hosting their annual Trunk or Treat at vendor row on Saturday night. This is a safe and fun way for kids to load up on candy, and for everyone to join in the Halloween celebration. Saturday, November 1st, 🕓 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, 📍 West end of Vendor Row, Dumont Dunes, 🚗 Vehicle lineup starts at 3:30 PM — don’t forget to back in your rigs so kids can enjoy the treats safely! As always, please remember to: Bring your whip flag and dune permit Pack out all your trash Be safe and look out for others, especially at night when the dunes get busy. Halloween weekend is the perfect way to kick off another season at Dumont—big crowds, cool weather, decorated camps, candy, and plenty of dune action. See you in the sand! 🏁

Dates: December 11–14, 2025 Location: Dumont Dunes What is it? Group dune trip for buggy people (not an official or organized event) The Buggy Roundup is a long-standing Dumont tradition — a gathering of sandcar enthusiasts who come together once a year to enjoy the dunes, camp as a group, and have a great time. There are no sponsors, no fees, and no competition — just pure dune fun. 🏕️ Camp Setup We’ll set up camp in the usual buggy camp area (across from bathroom 10 in the main camping area). Everyone is welcome to join the group camp, but there’s plenty of space if you prefer to camp nearby. Please park smart and help keep camp organized — large circle style if possible. 🕶️ What to Expect Group dune runs throughout the weekend Big campfires each night Plenty of downtime to hang out, talk cars, and meet new people Sandcars & Coffee Saturday morning Raffle on Saturday A chance to see some of the coolest sandcars around Sunset rides ⚙️ Basic Rules & Etiquette To keep the Roundup fun and safe for everyone: 1) Don’t Be a D*ck We’ve never had any issues at Buggy Roundup — let’s keep it that way. This weekend is about good vibes, fun dune runs, and hanging out with great people. No drama, no attitude. If you cause problems or bring negative energy to camp, you’ll be asked to leave. Simple as that. 2) Keep the Music Down We all enjoy a good party, but please be respectful of everyone in camp. With so many RVs packed close together and all kinds of musical tastes, loud music isn’t cool. Bring your tunes, just keep the volume to your own camp area so everyone can enjoy their weekend. 3) Drive Safe — No Reckless Behavior Safety comes first. That means no unsafe driving or stunts near camp and no aggressive passing on group rides. If you need to pass someone, only do it when it’s 100% safe — like cutting an entire dune with plenty of space. Never surprise the person in front of you. We’re here to have fun and keep it safe. 4) Buggies Only for Group Photos & Sandcars & Coffee This trip celebrates sandcars and buggies, so please keep side x sides, quads, bikes, and ATCs out of the group photos and Sandcars & Coffee lineup. That said — if you love buggies, you’re welcome to camp and hang with us! Just respect that this weekend is for sandcars. You’re free to join group rides, but let the buggies line up first. Different types of machines don’t mix well on the same dune runs. RSVP There's no RSVP required, but it's nice to hear that you're joining us. You can RSVP on here or private message me, @dunefreak You can also DM @dumontduneriders on IG to let me know you're coming but it's not necessary. Or reply to any of the posts on Facebook. Join the Buggy Roundup Facebook group solely for the attendees of Roundup: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17NfZdCcRC/ This weekend is all about good vibes, great people, and fun lines. Let’s keep the tradition alive and make Buggy Roundup 13 another legendary weekend at Dumont!