dunefreak

Dune season is finally getting underway! Paul Carter sent us some fresh photos from Dumont today along with an update on the dune conditions and entrance road. He said the wind was whipping pretty good out there today. The tops of the dunes are getting razor sharp, but they're also pretty chunked up in spots. Razorbacks are typical of what we call "summer dunes." After sitting all summer with very little traffic, the dunes can get crazy steep with big drop-offs and some nasty transitions. Throw in some rain followed by high winds and the dunes can really get torn up. The rain can leave the sand hard-packed and uneven, and then the wind comes through and reshapes everything. These early-season conditions can be pretty sketchy, especially if you're used to riding the smoother dunes later in the season when they've had more traffic. If you're heading out, take it easy on those first few rides and pay attention to the terrain. The dunes can look completely different from how they were last spring. Entrance Road Conditions Paul also sent over a couple photos showing standing water and muddy runoff across the entrance road. He mentioned that his motorhome scraped in one spot on the way in, so watch those rough spots, especially if you're bringing a big rig or trailer. He also confirmed there are no speed bumps in the entrance lane right now. Keep the Updates Coming! We've started a new ongoing Dumont Conditions & Trip Reports thread in the DDR forum for the 2026/27 season. If you're heading out, already camping, or just got back from a trip, jump in and share some photos or let everyone know how things are looking. Road conditions, weather, dune conditions, whatever you've got! [Join the Dumont Conditions & Trip Reports discussion Big thanks to Paul Carter for sending over the photos and keeping everyone updated! Be safe out there and enjoy the start of dune season! 🤘 Photos courtesy of Paul Carter – October 13, 2026.

Friends of Dumont Dunes hosts the annual cleanup! Starts at 8AM. More details to come.

Friends of Dumont Dunes hosts the Santa Day and Toy Drive Saturday November 28th. More details to come.

SAVE THE DATE! Buggy Roundup 14 – December 10–13, 2026! Get ready for another epic weekend at Dumont Dunes! Four days of sandcars, dune runs, campfires, good friends, and great times in the sand. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!

Bust out those dune turkeys and get ready for Thanksgiving weekend at Dumont! Enjoy some great rides, good food, campfires, and quality time with friends and family. There's no better place to spend Thanksgiving than in the sand!

Friends of Dumont Dunes will be holding their annual Veterans Day Flag Run on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The group traditionally gathers at Vendor Row before heading out on a patriotic ride to Veterans Hill (the swingset), where a flag-raising ceremony is held to honor our veterans. Bring your American flags and come show your support! Exact meeting time and additional details to come.

Halloween festivities get started Saturday afternoon with the Friends of Dumont Dunes annual Trunk or Treat from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Vendor Row. Decorate your rig, bring the kids, and plenty of candy to hand out. Trunk or Treat 4:00PM -6:00 PM Location: Vendor Row, Dumont Dunes

Dune season is upon us! 2026–2027 Dumont Dunes season passes are now available, so now is a great time to pick yours up before heading out to the dunes. Laminated season passes are available at select off-site vendors in Las Vegas, Baker, Pahrump and Shoshone, as well as directly from the BLM Barstow Field Office. Full list here. Online non-laminated passes are also available through Recreation.gov. Keep in mind that season passes are NOT available from the entrance fee machines at Dumont. Those machines sell weekly passes only. Vendor availability can change throughout the season, so check our Dumont Dunes Passes page for the current vendor list, pass prices and purchasing information. It's also a good idea to call the vendor to check on availability for heading there: https://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/passes/ Grab your pass, get the toys ready, and we’ll see you at Dumont!

Halloween Weekend is coming to Dumont Dunes October 30 through November 1, 2026, and that means dune season is officially kicking off! After a long, hot summer, Halloween Weekend is traditionally one of the first big weekends of the season at Dumont. Camps fill back up, the weather finally starts cooling down, and the dunes come alive again with sand cars, side-by-sides, quads, bikes, decorated camps, and plenty of Halloween fun. Halloween at Dumont Halloween at Dumont has become a tradition of its own, and Saturday, October 31 will be the big day. Bring the costumes, decorate the camp, and most importantly, don't forget plenty of candy! Friends of Dumont Dunes Trunk or Treat Halloween festivities get started Saturday afternoon with the Friends of Dumont Dunes annual Trunk or Treat from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Vendor Row. It's a great way for families and kids to get together for some Halloween fun before heading back to their camps for the evening. After the Trunk or Treat wraps up, the Halloween fun continues throughout Dumont with the traditional camp-to-camp trick-or-treating Saturday night. Many families participate in both, so if you're camping for the weekend, be ready for costumed kids making the rounds through the camps and make sure you have plenty of candy to hand out. Halloween decorations have also become a big part of the weekend. Many duners decorate their camps, trailers, motorhomes, and toys with lights, inflatables, pumpkins, and Halloween displays. Some camps go all-out, so get creative and make your camp part of the fun! The 2026-2027 Dune Season Begins Halloween Weekend means another Dumont season is underway! As always on a busy holiday weekend, watch your speed around camps, keep an eye out for kids and pedestrians after dark, light your whip, and give yourself plenty of room when riding in crowded areas. So get the toys ready, stock up on candy, dig out the Halloween decorations and costumes, and we'll see everyone back in the dunes! Halloween Weekend 2026 October 30 – November 1, 2026 Dumont Dunes, California Friends of Dumont Dunes Trunk or Treat: Saturday, October 31, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM See you in the sand!

October 30 – November 1, 2026 Halloween Weekend officially kicks off another dune season at Dumont! Get the toys ready, decorate your camp, bring the costumes and don't forget plenty of candy for the trick-or-treaters making their way from camp to camp Saturday night. Friends of Dumont Dunes Trunk or Treat will be held Saturday, October 31 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Vendor Row. Camp-to-camp trick-or-treating will continue throughout the dunes afterward, so come prepared for a fun Halloween night in the sand.

Keeping Dumont Dunes open, clean, and accessible takes a strong community effort. The annual Dumont Dunes Cleanup is being organized by Friends of Dumont Dunes, in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). While this is not a Dumont Dune Riders–hosted event, we want to help spread the word and encourage the off-road community to support an effort that directly benefits all of us who enjoy Dumont. According to information shared by Friends of Dumont Dunes, the cleanup is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14. Volunteers typically meet in the morning to receive assignments and cleanup areas before heading out across the dunes and camp area. In past years, lunch has usually been provided around noon, followed by a raffle as a thank-you to volunteers. While specific details may vary year to year, Friends of Dumont Dunes has indicated they are currently seeking donations to support the event. Friends of Dumont Dunes is also accepting donations to help offset cleanup costs and support their ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Dumont Dunes. Anyone interested in contributing or volunteering is encouraged to reach out to Melanie Cooper through the Friends of Dumont Dunes Facebook group for the most up-to-date information. These cleanups play an important role in demonstrating responsible recreation and stewardship to land managers and help ensure continued access to Dumont for future generations. For official updates, meeting locations, and any last-minute changes, please refer directly to the Friends of Dumont Dunes Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16y8GiQcqS/

Presidents Weekend at Dumont is almost here! It's Feb 13–15, 2026 and it’s going to be a good one. February usually brings slightly warmer weather, and if we get some wind beforehand the dunes should be smooth with some fast lines. Vendor Row will be loaded with vendors offering food, firewood, parts, swag, and the usual holiday-weekend chaos, so if you forgot something there’s a good chance you’ll find it there. The holiday weekend means heavy traffic, so keep your head on a swivel and take extra caution. And don’t forget: pack it in, pack it out. There is no trash collection at Dumont. Have a fun, safe weekend if you plan on heading out!

Friends of Dumont Dunes & BLM host the annual Dumont clean up. Come out and show your support for Dumont.

It's the last big holiday of the season. Make it count! President's Weekend: Feb 13-16, 2026

MLK Weekend is Jan 17-19. Less crowds, more duning!

It's a week long holiday weekend with New Years Eve being a Wednesday night this year.

MLK Weekend is approaching and is considered a duner’s holiday weekend at Dumont Dunes, typically bringing lighter crowds than major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s. While there is usually more activity than a standard weekend, camps and riding areas tend to stay spread out, making it a good time to enjoy the dunes without heavy holiday congestion. Weather during MLK Weekend is often some of the best of the winter season. Daytime temperatures are usually cool and comfortable for riding, with good sand conditions as long as there isn’t any rain. Nights can get cold, so campers should plan ahead — and if you need firewood, Leonard usually has you covered. As with all holiday weekends at Dumont, a valid holiday permit is required for entry. Riders and campers should come prepared for changing desert conditions. A few vendors typically make an appearance, though vendor row is usually not at full capacity. Overall, MLK Weekend is a solid opportunity to get out to Dumont early in the year, with favorable weather, manageable crowds, and plenty of open riding areas throughout the weekend.

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.