Trail Overview
This scenic desert route provides direct access to the world-famous Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Area, offering an exciting gateway for offroaders, SxS drivers, and dune enthusiasts. Branching east from Death Valley Road (Highway 127), the trail traverses wide-open desert terrain, crossing the Amargosa River bed before climbing toward the striking volcanic formations of Red Hill. This pathway serves as the main corridor for reaching the massive, wind-swept sand dunes, making it a popular choice for four-wheel-drive vehicles, dirt bikes, and ATVs looking to test their skills on the open sand. Drivers will encounter a mix of hard-packed dirt, loose gravel, and deep sand, which demands aired-down tires and steady momentum to prevent getting bogged down.
Navigating this route requires careful attention to changing desert conditions, especially during the hot summer months when temperatures regularly exceed triple digits. The crossing of the Amargosa River is typically dry but can become muddy or impassable after rare desert rainstorms, transforming the sandy wash into a challenging obstacle. Upon reaching the plateau near Red Hill, visitors are greeted by expansive staging areas suitable for parking and setting up camp, though the area is entirely dry with only vault toilets and no water or trash services. High-clearance vehicles with capable four-wheel-drive systems are highly recommended to handle the steep, off-camber sandy climbs and unpredictable transitions leading into the main dune field.
Difficulty
Difficult: Steep slopes, soft sand and off-camber hills are available. Be extremely careful when turning across side hills. Air-down tires. Vault toilets only. NO water, shade, picnic tables or trash removal.