Other places to play
The fun doesn't end at these dunes
Yuma-area residents who enjoy riding all-terrain vehicles have a huge playground in their own backyard: the Imperial Sand Dunes.
But the dunes are not the only place for people who ride quads, sandrails and dune buggies.
In Yuma County, they can go on public land if it is not posted with signs that state off-roading is prohibited.
On federal land in Yuma County that is administered by the Bureau of Land Management, quads, rails, dune buggies and other vehicles must stay on established roads, said Lori Cook, spokeswoman for the agency's Yuma Field Office.
The only BLM land in the area where off-roading is allowed is the Orenburg Sand Bowl near Blythe, Calif., she said.
ROAD TRIP
Areas outside of Yuma County popular with off-roaders include:
*Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area, near Afford. To get there from Afford, travel seven miles east on Highway 70. Turn right on ELM's Heckle Road and go 25 miles to the area. For more information, call 928-348-4400.
*Copper Basin Dunes, near Lake Havasu. To get there from Parker, cross the Colorado River to California and travel 12 miles north on Parker Dam Road. The off-roading area is located on the west side of the road. From Lake Havasu, drive south on Highway 95 about 20 miles to the Parker Dam. Cross the bridge and drive south a few miles on Parker Dam Road. For more information, call the BLM office at 928-505-1200.
*Dumont Dunes, Calif., located about 30 miles north of Baker, Calif. To get there, take Dumont Road from Highway 127. For more information, call 1-760-252-6000.
*Pismo Dunes, Pismo Beach, Calif.
*Beach at El Golfo de Santa Clara, Son.
*Beach Puerto Penasco, Son.
Here are some popular off-road areas near Las Vegas.:
*Nellis Dunes. Take Interstate 15 north to exit 58 (Apex), turn right onto Las Vegas Boulevard.
*Jean Dry Lake area. Take I-15 south to Exit 25, turn left, cross under I-15 and turn right onto the old Los Angeles Highway. Travel nine miles and turn left onto Knight Ranch Road. The dry lake bed is on the left.
*El Dorado Dry Lake Valley area. Take Highway 95 south from Las Vegas toward Boulder City. After passing the Railroad Pass Casino, turn right and continue toward Searchlight until the Eldorado Dry Lake bed comes in view on the right.
*Logandale Trails System. Take I-15 north, turn right on Exit 93, go to Liston Street, turn right on Liston Street, and turn right at the end of the street.
*For more information, about the Las Vegas off-roading areas, call the BLM office, 1-702-515-5000.
