There’s something undeniably thrilling about racing across rolling sand dunes with the ocean breeze in your hair and the roar of an engine beneath you. Dune buggies turn ordinary beach visits into adrenaline-pumping adventures, combining the freedom of off-road driving with some of America’s most stunning coastal scenery.
These lightweight, open-air vehicles were practically made for navigating the shifting sands that hug our coastlines.
Locating the ideal area for dune buggy fun is not always that easy. Some of the coasts may restrict mechanical transportation for the purpose of protecting such sensitive ecosystems, while others might lavishly welcome dirt bike or off-road enthusiasts, together with trails for them.
Here’s a list of 13 coastal sand dune parks where you can legally unleash your dune buggy and experience the ultimate sandy playground.
Pismo Beach State Vehicular Recreation Area – California
Pismo Beach offers one of California’s most accessible dune buggy experiences, with over 1,500 acres of coastal sand dunes open to off-road vehicles. The park sits right along Highway 1, making it easy to trailer your buggy directly to the sand.
The dunes here range from gentle slopes perfect for beginners to challenging hills that test even experienced drivers.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area – Florence, Oregon
Florence’s Oregon Dunes span an impressive 40 miles of Pacific coastline, creating the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. The recreation area offers everything from rental buggies for first-timers to expert-level terrain that’ll make your heart race.
The contrast between towering dunes and the dark Pacific creates a landscape that feels almost otherworldly.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – Kanab, Utah
While technically inland, Coral Pink’s unique pink-hued sand creates a coastal dune experience unlike anywhere else in America. The 3,700-acre park allows off-road vehicles in designated areas, and the stunning coral-colored sand makes every photo look like a postcard.
The dunes here shift constantly, ensuring that each visit offers new challenges and terrain to explore.
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Little Sahara Recreation Area – Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s Little Sahara proves that you don’t need an ocean to create an epic dune buggy destination. This 1,600-acre park features some of the most diverse sand terrain in the country, from beginner-friendly flats to steep faces that challenge expert drivers.
The fine, white sand here behaves just like coastal dunes, shifting and reshaping with every wind storm.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes – Mears, Michigan
Michigan’s Silver Lake combines the best of both worlds: massive sand dunes and actual lake access for cooling off after a day of riding. The 2,000-acre area allows off-road vehicles on designated trails and open dune areas.
The proximity to Silver Lake means you can transition from sandy thrills to refreshing swims in minutes.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park – Nags Head, North Carolina
North Carolina’s Outer Banks feature Jockey’s Ridge, the tallest living sand dune on the East Coast at 426 feet high. While the main dune is protected for hang gliding, surrounding areas offer excellent dune buggy opportunities.
The constant Atlantic winds keep these dunes moving and changing, creating new challenges for return visitors.
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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Empire, Michigan
Empire’s Sleeping Bear Dunes tower up to 450 feet above Lake Michigan, creating some of the most dramatic dune landscapes in the Midwest. Designated off-road areas allow dune buggies to tackle these massive sand mountains.
The views from the top stretch for miles across Lake Michigan, making the climb worth every sandy gear shift.
Warren Dunes State Park – Sawyer, Michigan
Sawyer’s Warren Dunes offer a more intimate dune buggy experience along Lake Michigan’s eastern shore. The 1,952-acre park features rolling dunes that are perfect for families and beginning riders.
The beach access means you can combine dune riding with traditional beach activities, creating full-day outdoor adventures.
Bruneau Dunes State Park – Bruneau, Idaho
Idaho’s Bruneau Dunes feature the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America, rising 470 feet above the surrounding desert. The park allows off-road vehicles in designated areas, and the remote location means you’ll often have the dunes to yourself.
The contrast between the massive dune and the surrounding sagebrush creates a uniquely Western landscape.
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Great Sand Dunes National Park – Alamosa, Colorado
Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes rise over 750 feet high, creating North America’s tallest sand dunes against the dramatic backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. While the main dune field is protected, nearby areas offer excellent off-road opportunities.
The seasonal Medano Creek at the base adds an unexpected water element to your dune buggy adventure.
Monahans Sandhills State Park – Monahans, Texas
Texas knows how to do everything big, and Monahans Sandhills delivers with over 3,840 acres of shifting sand dunes. The park encourages off-road vehicle use and even offers sand disk rentals for additional fun.
These dunes move constantly, with some shifting up to 20 feet per year, ensuring that every visit reveals new terrain to explore.
St. Anthony Sand Dunes – St. Anthony, Idaho
St. Anthony’s sand dunes cover over 10,600 acres of southeastern Idaho, creating one of the largest dune systems in the region. The area welcomes off-road enthusiasts with open arms and minimal restrictions.
The high desert location means cooler temperatures and stunning views of the surrounding mountains during your sandy adventures.
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Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area – Glamis, California
Southern California’s Imperial Sand Dunes, known locally as Glamis, offer some of the most challenging and extensive dune buggy terrain in America. The recreation area spans over 40,000 acres of pristine desert sand dunes.
This place attracts serious off-road enthusiasts from across the country, especially during the cooler winter months when the desert becomes more comfortable for extended riding sessions.
Sandy Adventures That Never Get Old
These coastal and near-coastal dune parks represent the perfect marriage of natural beauty and motorized adventure, offering experiences that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else. Each location brings its own character to dune buggy riding, from the pink sands of Utah to the towering peaks of Colorado, proving that America’s diverse landscapes create equally diverse off-road opportunities.
The communities surrounding these parks have built entire economies around sandy adventures, with rental shops, guide services, and specialized mechanics who understand that dune buggies aren’t just vehicles—they’re tickets to freedom. Whether you’re a weekend warrior looking for family fun or a serious off-road enthusiast seeking the ultimate challenge, these dune parks continue to provide the kind of pure, unfiltered adventure that keeps people coming back year after year.
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