How to Hike Kelso Dunes

Kelso Dunes is by far the most popular spot in the Mojave National Preserve for watching the sun set. Kelso Dunes are the second highest sand dunes in California behind Eureka Dunes. The dune complex covers 50 square miles, and the dunes reach a height of 700 feet.

Instructions

1. Take I-15 east from Barstow for about 60 miles to Baker. Turn right, or south, on Kelbaker Road and drive 42 miles to the signed road on the right for Kelso Dunes. Drive 3 miles to the Dunes parking area.

2. Read the interesting interpretive signs at the Kelso Dunes trailhead. The signs tell about the geological history that created the dunes. Because the dunes are isolated from any obvious source, their creation was a mystery until very recently.

3. Challenge yourself by climbing to the top of the highest dunes. The dunes are really many dunes stacked upon each other over the course of 25,000 years, which explains why they reach a height of 700 feet. Views from the top of the dunes include rewarding vistas of the surrounding desert and the Providence mountains. No formal trail is possible across the ever-shifting sands of the dunes.

4. Create small sand avalanches. One of the more popular activities at Kelso Dunes is making avalanches that can create harmonic booming sounds. As the uniform sand grains tumble down through extremely dry air, they create a resonant booming noise. The effect is a truly unique experience for visitors to Kelso Dunes.

5. Visit in the spring to see an array of desert wildflowers growing on and around the dunes. Although wet weather will prevent you from experiencing the booming sounds, which require very dry sand.