That depends on where you’re coming from and where you want to camp. Your best bet from San Diego and Arizona is to get an Arizona and/or California map. For those of you from Southern California, follow this link for precise directions.

What is the camping like??

The popular term is "Dry camping." That is to say there are no water, sewer hookups, or electrical outlets. You are on your own and must be self sufficient. The only thing supplied by the government is a few pit toilets, a few porta-potties, some asphalt campgrounds, some camping pads (gravel), and plenty of sand. You can camp anywhere in the sand as long as you are 10 ft. or more from the road. You’d better have 4 wheel drive for that.

What kind of riding is there?

99.99% is sand hills and "sand highways". The tallest dunes are over 200 feet from their base and tend to scare newcomers by their height alone. There are a few hard pack areas by the tracks and the canal (see below) but are no fun to ride.

Are there water and restrooms available?

Water no. There a few pit toilets in the paved campgrounds and a few porta-potties scattered along Gecko Road. Showers can be purchased at the Store (see below).

Is there a camping fee?

Yes. $25 per week  per primary vehicle or a $90 yearly pass. See (Fees). A primary vehicle is any vehicle that is not an OHV (off-highway vehicle). If you drive the Motor home and your wife or friend(s) drive a car, you need to have a pass for both. At last count, there are 17 vending machines where you can buy permits. They accept credit cards and cash.

Is there a gas station there?

No.

Can I shoot a gun there?

No - SHOOTING IS PROHIBITED WITHIN ½ MILE OF CAMPGROUNDS AND SHOULD BE CONDUCTED WELL AWAY FROM OTHER CONCENTRATIONS OF PEOPLE AND PROPERTY.

Are there trash cans there?

No, but there are huge dumpsters placed at strategic spots. Be sure to place your trash INSIDE them and not around them.

What happens if I get hurt?

Depends on how bad. If you can get yourself off the dunes, you can probably get yourself to Pioneers Memorial Healthcare, phone number and address is available from the link. If you are too injured, the rangers will attempt to go get you in the dunes and put you on an ambulance to Brawley. This could take from several hours to a day or more if they can’t find you in the dunes. If you have a cell phone, you can dial 911 and be connected to the Cahuilla Ranger station: GPS coordinates will greatly speed things up.

How big is the place and how do I find my way around?

BIG! Really Big. The dunes are 3 to 5 miles wide and about 16 miles long from Hwy. 78 to Hwy. 8. The best way to find your way around is by GPS. Here’s a link to the most popular coordinates: GPS

If you don’t have a GPS it’s still relatively easy to find the major hills and campgrounds. Glamis runs on a diagonal. If you look at a map, it looks like it goes from the top left to the lower right. For the most part people just use North, East, West and South when referring to directions out there since it very nearly runs North and South. So for simplicity sake, I’ll do the same here. The West side has a canal running along it, East has a railroad along it, North would be Hwy. 78 and South is Hwy. 8. Picture it as a big tall rectangle. The Glamis Store (see #11 below) is at the upper right northeast) corner by the tracks and Hwy. 78. The developed campgrounds are on the canal side. There are thousands of acres of camping on the railroad side – use the road along the tracks to get to them. The BLM is now grading this road periodically.

The tracks go over several washes. Each wash has a bridge. Each one is numbered, some very elaborately. If you know what number bridge at which you’re camped, you can know which way camp is. The numbers start at the Store and get higher the farther  south you go – that is to say, they increase to the right   As seen from the air, all the major hills are in a row. These are also numbered. The BLM has  numbered signs on them starting at Hwy. 78. If you want to go from hill to hill, just ride due north or south, depending on which way you’re traveling across the dunes. Aim for the next highest point you can see. There’s always a big valley at the base of each of the major hills. You might have to ride up or down the valley to find the gathering spot. If you are going for help, be sure that you know to what number hill you need to return to. The rangers will know what to punch up on their GPS.

If you are deep in the middle of the dunes and it starts to get late, what do you do? That depends on where you are camped and how much fuel you have left. Generally, you can climb a tall dune and see where the tracks and canal are. Pay attention to the sun (sets in the west, remember). If you’re running low on fuel, or even THINK you are, head for the tracks or canal directly. This depends on what side you camped, naturally. This is because it is much easier to walk out if you have to on hard level ground. Upon reaching either, it’s easy to figure out which way to go. The bridges are numbered and the water in the canal flows toward the developed campgrounds and hwy. 78. If you’re SURE you’ve got plenty of gas, head right into the sun to get back to Roadrunner and Gecko. Works every time and is a fun ride. If you’re camped down by Dunebuggy Flats, just head toward the canal and parallel it while staying on the dunes heading south. There’s no sure fire way to find a camp along the tracks until you develop a feel for the place. Head diagonally in the general direction until you hit the tacks and can read a bridge number.

Is there a store close by?

Yes and no. The nearest supermarket is in Brawley – about 30 miles away. There is a store called the Glamis Beach Store where the tracks and Hwy. 78 meet. They’ll have necessities you may have forgotten and a limited parts selection; hose clamps, a few belts – mostly generic stuff. There’s a restaurant and a bar there too. You can pay for a shower there. It’s worth a trip there just to get familiar with the place.

If I have a break down or need a repair, what can I do?

The town of El Centro has a full blown Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha dealer with a machine shop. Take Hwy. 86 south out of Brawley – it’s on the right several miles down. They stock many popular pistons, rings, tires, etc., etc. Brawley won’t be much help unless what you need can be purchased at an auto parts store. Clean Gene’s, across the street from the Store, has a supply of parts and welding services. Across from the Ranger station on Gecko Road just south of 78 is Sweet Marie's – she has a supply of parts and welding services. Doug can weld up just about anything.

Where are the campgrounds?

Some of the most popular campgrounds are:

Roadrunner – at the end of Gecko Road

Pads 1- 4 – along Gecko Road; you’ll see the signs

Gecko Campground – about halfway down Gecko Road from Hwy. 78

Dunebuggy Flats – off Hwy. 8 by the canal

Cement Flats - just off Hwy. 78 as you turn onto Gecko Road - its on the right

Garbage Flats – on the flats by the store on the way to Competition Hill next to Hwy. 78

Microwave Tower – north of Hwy. 8 – take Ted Kipf Rd to road on dune side of tracks – look for tall (200+ ft) tower.

Glamis Flats –right by store and there’s an access road to it off Hwy. 78

I’ve heard there are bars and food places out there - where?

All the following have food and drink (alcoholic and non).

Boardmanville – go to wash 10, go under tracks, keep going about 1 mile – can’t miss it

Pair-A-Dice – take plenty of gas and allow all day for this one if you’re camping at Gecko or Roadrunner – best bet is to take sand highway south (about 3 dunes in off the canal) to Hwy. 8, turn right, go about 1.5 miles – you’ll see it – leave for home early enough to handle any problems in daylight – take the dunes back (if they are open) if you have the time and gas.

The Store – Hwy. 78 and the tracks

Can I ride at night?

You sure can – be aware it is dangerous in the dunes at night and hard to find your way. You’ll need the required lights and a jacket. We suggest taking a flashlight as well. REMEMBER: quiet time is from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM: you can run your engines only to get in or out of camp. See the rules for a complete list.

What is the weather like?

Temperatures from June through September can go over 120° during the day and not go below 100° at night. From Oct. to May we look for 70° to 80° during the day and 40° to 50° at night. When a front or storm blows through the winds can get up to 50 or 60 MPH. Rain is seldom but does occur. Check the weather on our web site before you go, pack light and heavy clothes just in case.

What is the BLM?

It is the government agency we, as taxpayers, designate to oversee areas like this. They are The Bureau of Land Management. It is their job to see that the land is preserved. It is in their best interest that Glamis stay open for us to ride. They listen to us through the TRT to see how we want our fees spent. To fully explain the mission of the BLM and TRT here is not practical, but you can go to their web sites to learn more.

Do I need any special equipment?

First Aid kit, goggles, bandana, sun block, whip, paddles, water, firewood, tow strap, plenty of gas, common sense.

A friend of mine got hurt there. He said he was riding along and the bottom just dropped out from under him – how can that happen?

Easy. The dunes will lull you into a false sense of security. Just when you think it is safe to open it up, you’re going off a slip face (miniature cliff) and you’re 15 feet in the air. You are caught off guard and you generally go over the handle bars. Never go out alone and never out ride your "look ahead" range. If you can’t see what’s ahead, approach it as you would a small cliff – more often than not, you’ll be glad you did.

Can I get a DUI off road?

Absolutely! All rules of the road apply off-road.

What if I become separated from my riding group?

Never ride the dunes alone he person in trouble.

Is there a phone out there?

Yes, several.

South of the Ranger Station Gecko Rd.

Glamis Store, SR 78

Agricultural Inspection Station, I-8

Sand Hills Rest Area, I-8

Pair-A-Dice store – just off I-8 (old hwy. 80)

Buttercup Campground

Plank Road Site

Where is the Cahuilla Ranger Station?

Just South of SR 78 on Gecko Road

Other things to know:

1) Stay with your ATV while waiting for help – the ATV is almost always spotted first.

2) Range is limited – sand eats up gas – you can’t go as far as sand as you can on the hard pack.

3) Carry water, tools – Murphy’s Law is in full force out on the dunes.

4) An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – maintain you vehicle. Even if you do get towed back to camp, you’ve spoiled someone else’s ride.

DISPOSE OF YOUR TRASH PROPERLY, PACK IT IN…. PACK IT OUT

AND THE SAME GOES FOR THE CAMPGROUNDS