Are you looking for the best dune buggy driving locations in the US? Get ready to explore some of the most thrilling Dune Buggy Driving destinations across the country. Dune buggy driving is perfect for adrenaline junkies and off-road adventurers alike.
We all like to drive. We are fascinated to try our driving skill with new and at the same time special motors. In addition, we are also keen on driving a vehicle that is designed for different terrains.
Dune Buggy is one such vehicle that will catch our fancy.
In this blog post, you will come to know about dune buggy and 10 Best Dune Buggy Driving Locations in the US.
Dune Buggy’s alternative name is ‘beach buggy. It indicates driving on beach sand.
In this context, these specially made vehicles are meant to drive on surfaces other than paved roads or modern highways.
Here are more names for these different terrain vehicles.
- Off- road vehicles (ORV)
- Off-highway vehicles (OHV)
- Adventure Vehicle
- Overland Vehicle
- Sandrail
- Off-road Go-kart
I have seen this type of off-road vehicle. It was rather small and seemed to be easy to manoeuvre.
I think I am increasing your curiosity.
Non-paved terrains include:
- Beach sand
- Desert sand dunes
In order to move on such unfriendly surfaces, special vehicles are made with bigger than normal tyres. (Examples are tractor tyres or jeep tyres).
Dune sports are indulged in, on the above mentioned surfaces.
They are fun to drive and at the same time, safe.
Please note that dune buggies do not come under (ATV) all terrain vehicles that can go on rocky terrain, forest trails, and slushy surfaces apart from sand.
10 Best Dune Buggy Driving Locations in the US for Thrilling:
Places you can go driving a dune buggy.
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Glamis Sand Dunes, California
You know one part of southern California is desert. A desert is where, sand dunes exist.
If you rent a dune buggy and if you can already drive a car, you can enjoy the fun-filled dune sports on the sand dunes.
The ORV can easily climb a dune and equally easily slide down from the top of a dune.
Same dunes here are very tall. Climbing up the dune in a dune buggy is really enjoyable. The dune system stretches up to 64 km length.
When you have had tour buggy drive stint, you can enjoy a few minutes of sandborading.
Sandboarding involves sliding down a dune on a sandboard either by sitting with legs stretched or lying down on your belly.
Incidentally, this place is also called Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.
Among other dune buggy driving destinations in the United States, this is the best.
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Pismo Beach, California
Pismo Beach is a very popular place for water sports, and dune sorts. It is located only 32 km north of Santa Maria city.
Pismo Beach is where you enjoy great clams dishes. As a matter of fact, the clams of Pismo Beach are so famous that the town hosts an annual Clams Festival.
Clams is the ubiquitous shellfish that we are all very familiar with. The shells of the clams littered all over a beach.
There is a special area earmarked for dune buggy driving in Pismo Beach.
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is where dune buggies available for rent.
I think there is a specific dune season here. Find out the period before you dream of dirt biking here in Pismo Beach.
Campgrounds are available near the above-said recreation area.
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Little Sahara, Utah
The name says it all. It is a sort of mini Sahara here. The Sahara Desert is the largest in the world and very harsh.
See different kinds of dune buggies here. The riders are even showing some tricks on the sand dunes.
The little Sahara recreation area in Utah state is, near the city of Eureka.
To make it easier for you to visualize the distance, this dune buggy location is 160 km south of Salt Lake City, the state capital.
The Little Sahara Sand Dunes Recreation Area is part of the larger Sevier Desert, Utah.
This particular place for enjoying driving the sand buggy or an ATV is much larger than the Glams Sand Dunes, California.
The Little Sahara measures a mind-boggling 240 sq. km of sand dunes.
The most challenging sand hill here measures an incredible, and unimaginable 700 feet! It is called aptly, ‘Sand Mountain’.
When you are having fun driving a ORV, those who accompanied you can entertain themselves in horseback riding, sandborading, and paragliding.
This is a true recreation area in the U.S. In addition, at night, star gazing is also possible.
If you are a family of adventure seekers or a group of adventure-minded friends, you can come here in a motorhome. There are facilities for camping.
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Palm Springs, California
This is a world-renowned resort city located on the edge of the Colarado Desert.
Apart from enjoying the warm climate and relaxing in the resort, one can hire a dune buggy and go for a drive on the sand dunes here.
More than one ORV rental company here makes it easy for you to get your buggy without waiting for long.
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Oregon Dunes
Have you ever came across the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area in the U.S.?
Here is a photo of the sand dunes in Oregon where dune buggy drive is allowed.
North Bend is the city where you can enjoy driving a OHV.
The sand dunes in Oregon are quite large measuring up to 64 km length. The dunes also offer challenge to veterans because of the height up to 500 feet!
That is quite tall and climbing up such a height is certainly difficult. But once your sandrail starts descending, you will go crazy in delight and heave a sigh of relief when your vehicle touches down the base of the sand hill.
Other recreational activities offered here include hiking, camping, horseback riding, and canoeing in Cleanwox Lake.
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Dune Buggy ride in Hawaii
I came to know that Hawaii is the top most dune buggy destination in the U.S. because of several places spread over Hawaiian Islands.
Some of the locations are mentioned below.
- Aloha, Oahu Island
- Kailua Kona, Oahu Island
- North Shore, Oahu
These are the places that are known for beautiful sandy beaches.
Beach sand is another great surface to drive a beach buggy.
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Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah
Oh, man! What a lovely pink colored sand! I feel like rolling over on the sand.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park’s pinkish sand and rocks are remarkably attractive. The lure of the pink sand dunes is irresistible.
Dune buggy buffs can enjoy a field day as the sand dunes cover a whopping 3700 acres of land.
From Salt Lake City, Kane city, where the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is located about 470 km south.
However, if you are touring Las Vegas, you will find the colourful ORV site at 320 km east.
The pink sand desert is due to the erosion of the same-colored rocks called “Navajo Sandstone”.
In addition to sandrailing, one can happily enjoy sandboarding here. Sandboards are also rented out.
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Corolla, North Carolina
Corolla is an Atlantic Ocean town in the state of North Carolina.
Corolla is located close to the famous Outer Banks, a collection of barrier islands.
Barrier Islands are known for unique geography and sand dunes are one of the key features in barrier islands.
Wind, and wave cause accumulation of sand dunes on Barrier Islands.
As such, Corolla is an ideal beach destination for riding a rented ORV.
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Michigan
Head to Silver Lake State Park for dune buggy driving, if you are touring Michigan.
This place is known for dense sand dunes on which sandrailing is really enjoyable.
Nearly 3000 acres are earmarked for various recreations and that include Off-Road Vehicle driving.
Out of the 3000 acres, about 2000 acres comprise sand dunes.
ATVs and dune buggies riding apart, the recreational activities include swimming, and fishing in the Silver Lake. I read hunting is also allowed. I am skeptic about it.
Other widely practised sport is walking barefoot on the dunes.
If you want, you can also pay the rent for an ATV and take it to the sand dunes.
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St. Anthony Sand Dunes, Idaho
The St. Anthony Sand Dunes covers a huge area comprising about 10k acres.
For a change, we are on to sparkling white quartz sand dunes on which, dune buggy driving gives you goosebumps.
One of the dunes is known as Devil’s Dune because of its 400 feet height.
The name St. Antony points to a city in the same name in Idaho State.
The majority of the tourists to the Yellow Stone National Park are oblivious of this fantastic sand dunes system, just 112 km away from the park.
This rather small city is home to over 2500 elks. Keeping company to the big animal are hundreds of moose and mule deer.
Trivia:
Do you know that the elks shed their formidable antlers once every year?
These fallen antlers can be collected for free.
