About

The Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (also known as ISDRA or Glamis) has been called many things… and they are all true!

Glamis is the largest (40 miles in a band averaging 5 miles wide) off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation area for sand dunes in the United States. There’s golden sand as far as the eye can see. This means you can completely unleash the adventurous spirit in your blood through your off-road vehicle.

It’s easy to see why Glamis is a favorite location for OHV enthusiasts. Generations have been coming here year after year.

But that’s not all. You may have seen the dunes in famous movies like Star Wars, The Scorpion King, Lawrence of Arabia, and many others.

Whether you’re looking for an amazing adventure, one-of-a-kind scenery or endless miles of quiet solitude, Glamis has it all. There’s no other place like this in the world, so do yourself a favor and come for a visit today.

Located in the southeast corner of California, the Imperial Sand Dunes are the largest mass of sand dunes in the state.

Formed by windblown sands of ancient Lake Cahuilla, the dune system extends for more than 40 miles in a band averaging 5 miles wide. Dunes often reach heights of 300 feet above the desert floor, providing outstanding opportunities for recreation. A favorite place for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts, the dunes also offer fabulous scenery, opportunities for solitude, and a home to rare plants and animals.

With most of the off-road action taking place in the recreation area south of Highway 78, the open areas allow all types of vehicle recreation. Limited areas surround the dunes require vehicles to travel on designated routes. Closed areas prohibit motorized vehicle use entirely. Information and maps for all of these areas are available at the ranger stations.

The North Algodones Dunes Wilderness offers a tranquil alternative to the fast-paced action of the main dunes. This wilderness encompasses more than 26,000 acres, with the largest and tallest dunes located in the central area. Visitors are welcome to walk or ride horses in this remote area. The wilderness is closed to all vehicles and mechanized use.

The ISDRA is a public facility operated by The Bureau of Land Management with fee management by Basecamp Hospitality.