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!
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.
This year Halloween is on a Friday night! Therefore Halloween weekend will be Oct 31-Nov 2nd. Lots of people pre-plan their work days off super early so hopefully this helps! We'll have to wait and see, but trick or treating and Halloween festivities will likely still be Saturday night but we'll see if the community makes their plans for Friday. Saturday night has been the traditional for decades out there so you can likely plan on that. 👍
Thanksgiving is right around the corner! It is a week-long dune trip for some groups when friends and families gather at the dunes to prepare their annual feasts. If you are wondering how busy it gets, Thanksgiving does draw quite a crowd, but it's not quite as crazy as Halloween.
Catch the waterpumpers in action as the Dune Masters and Sand Pipers clubs compete in their 54th annual hill climbs. Their drag races will not take place this year.
Friday: Hill Climbs on the steep, left side of Comp Hill starting at 10:00 AM
And don't forget, Santa will be at the North Pole on that Saturday 11/30 from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM hard stop. Details to come.
Stay up to date on the Dumont Dunes Santa Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/144674787256195/?mibextid=oMANbw
Our 12th Annual Buggy Roundup is December 12-15, 2024. Have you got a buggy? Come out and join us to camp, hang, and run the dunes together. This is not a big party weekend. It's actually pretty chill. But if you love buggies and want to get together with the rest of the buggies of Dumont, this is the weekend for that. Everyone is always super cool and respectful. If they aren't, they'll be asked to leave and won't be invited back. We hope to see all the regulars plus some new faces this year!
Weekend Agenda
(times are subject to change so don't stay cooped up in your motorhome. Pay attention)
Thursday
Get there early, meet the early arrivals, and go make some tracks in the sand
Friday
Run the dunes and burn some fuel!
Curious what your car weighs? We'll have the scales set up Friday afternoon in the middle of camp. Come over and weigh your buggy.
Saturday
Sandcars & Coffee 8AM-9:30- Park your buggy in the center of camp. (Many guys do it the night before). Grab a coffee, wake up, mingle with other buggy people.
10AM group ride: We will do a group ride with ALL the buggies ending someplace like North Pole, Comp or whatever feels right.
Grab yourself some lunch and then head to the raffle area.
1PM We will raffle off some prizes
The rest of the day will be more duning finishing the last ride on Sunset Hill.
Saturday Night
group bonfire
possibly dune videos on the big screen
Sunday
Pick the sand out of your ears, go for another morning dune run, and then pack it up when you feel like it (or stay another day to enjoy Dumont some more)
LOG IN & RSVP on the EVENT PAGE link below
(If you have trouble logging in or can't figure it out, it's cool. Just show up. You can also message me, @dunefreak or DM Dumont Dune Riders on FB or IG)
Halloween weekend kicks off the upcoming dune season at Dumont Dunes! Although Halloween is Thursday the 31st, Halloween weekend at Dumont will be celebrated the weekend before on Oct 25-27th. Saturday Oct 26th, is the night you'll find trick-or-treaters going camp to camp and duners in costume over at Comp Hill having a good time. In addition, Friends of Dumont Dunes has announced a trunk or treat from 4:00-6:00PM on Saturday just west of Vendor Row.
Halloween weekend always brings out thousands of excited duners which means we always have to take a little extra caution. Keep your head on a swivel but most importantly slow down around camps and other duners. Holiday weekends can be a little crazy and chaotic, but also safe and fun at the same time.
Besides Halloween, it's always been one of the biggest weekends at Dumont. Although the Jeep races and hill climbs no longer happen on President's weekend, you'll still see the crowds of duners, some of your favorite vendors, and action on Comp Hill. Don't forget to swing by the sand highway (between Comp and North Pole) at 2-3PM for the "unofficial" daily drags. It's nothing more than duners lining up and racing, but it's a new trend at Dumont that everyone seems to love. Don't forget to take extra caution at the end of the drags and DON'T turn into traffic that may be coming from behind.
As for highway 127, if you are coming from Baker, the road is open to one-way traffic with flagging operations and a pilot car. Roadwork MAY be completed by then; if that happens, we will post an update. It should be done any day now. They are getting close!
Stay safe and pack out what you pack in. There is no trash collection at Dumont so we must keep our playground clean if we want to enjoy it for years to come. Be sure to post some photos from your trip on the forum and tag us on Instagram!
HWY127 is now fully open to through traffic with construction occurring in shoulder areas only from Monday through Friday 6AM-4PM. This portion of work is expected to continue through June 2024.
NO FLAGGING IS REQUIRED AT THIS TIME BUT MAY OCCUR AS NEEDED TO COMPLETE REPAIR WORK.
The route remains fully open to traffic during an outside of work hours. Crews continue shoulder repair work and an approximate 2 mi section of the route.
Little Dumont
Little Dumont is open.
Photos of original storm damage/ Source: Caltrans District 8
That's right we're doing it again! The group, as a whole, has decided that we have so much fun getting all the buggies together that we should have a second one this season. So we are rounding up all the buggies once again towards the end of the 23-24 season. It will be Easter weekend, March 29-31, 2024. Easter is never very busy so that shouldn't really change things. We will camp in the same area across from bathroom 10 and we will have the same format as previous Buggy Roundups. If you are new or haven't been to one in quite a while, this is a group trip for all buggy owners where we camp together and run the dunes together. It's a great opportunity to meet other buddy guys and girls and be part of the sandrail and dune community. So don't be a stranger. Put it on your calendar and show up with a fun attitude.
"Schedule"
Thursday: Get there early, meet the early arrivals and go make some tracks in the sand
Friday: Run the dunes and burn some fuel!
Saturday: 8AM-9:30 Sandcars & Coffee, 10AM group ride, lunch...(you'll be on your own for lunch. Sorry. The lunch catering fell through), 12:30~1PM raffle prizes, the rest of the day will be more duning finishing the last ride at sunset hill.
Saturday Night: group bonfire, dune videos on the big screen
Sunday: Pick the sand out of your ears, go for another morning dune run and then pack it up when you feel like it (or stay another day to enjoy Dumont some more)
LOG IN & RSVP BELOW
(If you have troubles logging in or can't figure it out, it's cool. Just show up)
Questions, comments, more info- hop on the forum.
Buggy Roundup/ Camp Rules
Those that wish to camp with the group for Buggy Roundup must agree to the rules set by us, Dumont Dune Riders.
1) Don't be a d*ck! We've never had an issue with anyone at buggy roundup, but we will not tolerate any BS. We are there to have a fun weekend of duning and hanging out with each other. You will be asked to leave camp if you cause problems.
2) No loud music. We all love to have a good time and party, but please be respectful of others in camp. We cram alot of RVs into one place and all have different tastes in music.
3) Unsafe driving or behavior will not be tolerated. This includes no passing on group rides unless you can do it extremely safe while giving that person plenty of room (ie: cut an entire dune to do it. Don't catch them by surprise.)
4) No side x sides, bikes, quads or ATCs in the group photos or Sandcars and Coffee. We get asked this every year so I feel I need to say it. If you have a side x side or any other dune toy besides a sandrail, you are not UNinvited. If you love buggies, you can absolutely come out and camp with us. Please just understand and respect that this is a annual event for buggies. You are welcome to join in on the rides, but please let the buggies get in line first. Other machines don't mix well with buggies on dune runs.
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