Featured Thanksgiving Weekend 2026 at Dumont Dunes

Halloween is behind us, and Thanksgiving weekend is next! November 26–29, 2026 means another long weekend of dune runs, campfires, turkey dinners, and hanging out with friends and family at Dumont.

Thanksgiving still draws a decent crowd, but it usually isn’t quite as crazy as Halloween. The weekend has more of a family atmosphere, with duners spending their days riding together and their evenings sharing food and hanging out around the campfire.

Whether you’re heading out early for the whole week or squeezing in a few days, there’s something pretty hard to beat about Thanksgiving dinner at camp after a day in the sand.

For many families, cooking Thanksgiving dinner at Dumont is part of the tradition. From deep-fried turkeys to everyone bringing a favorite side dish, camps find plenty of ways to put together a full feast out in the desert. It’s a good excuse to slow down, enjoy camp, and spend a little extra time with your people.

Waterpumpers: Dune Masters & Sandpipers

The waterpumpers are a longtime Thanksgiving tradition at Dumont. These V8-powered buggies bring a little old-school dune history to the weekend, with drag racing and hill climbs that are always worth checking out.

Hill Climbs: Slowest to the Top Wins

The hill climbs aren’t about who can get to the top the fastest: it’s just the opposite! The goal is to be the last one to reach the top without stopping. On the steep side of Comp Hill, that’s harder than it sounds. Go too slowly and the paddle tires dig in, sinking the buggy into the sand. Give it too much throttle and you climb faster than you want to. It takes careful throttle control and a well-built machine with the right combination of power, gearing, and traction to keep crawling uphill while outlasting the other racers.

More than anything, the waterpumper tradition is about nostalgia. It’s a connection to the early days of Dumont, when these V8-powered buggies helped shape the dune scene. Seeing them line up again brings back memories for longtime duners and gives newer generations a look at a tradition that families have kept going for decades.

Getting Ready for the Trip

Make sure your entrance pass includes holidays, get the toys ready, and leave room for the turkey! Before heading out, check DDR’s weather page and nearby services directory for help planning your trip.

If you’re making a longer stay out of it, plan ahead for fuel, water, propane, and everything you’ll need for Thanksgiving dinner. Bring warm layers for evenings at camp, and browse our Vendor Row directory for food, parts, and supplies.

Take care of the dunes, pack out your trash, and keep an eye out for each other during the busy weekend.

Who’s spending Thanksgiving in the sand? Share your plans in the comments, and post your photos and trip reports when you get back!