Title says it - where should be plan on camping for easiest access to the main dune hot spots, do they take reservations, what facilities are available, etc., including firewood purchase? Gonna be there in June 14-16.
Any GPS coordinates for the dunes?
Thanks

 

I prefer to stay at oasis. There are many camping spots, alot have trees, you can drive through all the loops and pick the spot that best suites you. They do not take reservations, but you should not have a problem finding a spot.

It is a few miles to sand mtn from oasis, there is a trail that you can take, or you can dune it all the way there. We usually dune a little and take the trail a little, just play around all the way over there.

Do not stay at white sand, it is a hell of a ride to the mtn, and will wear you out. Bring plenty of water, there are running water bathrooms scattered throughout the campgrounds.

Firewood, bring your own. Of course there could be fire restrictions, so you might not be able to have a fire. Bring a camp stove to cook with incase the fire restrictions are in place. Dont try to cut any of the trees for firewood, those trees take a long time to grow and if anyone sees you doing that you will be in trouble. They pride those trees, and so do I.

You could also camp right at the base of sand mtn, but it gets real dusty over there and there is no shade.

I wish I could make it down for your trip to meet you, but probably wont. My wife is due a week or two after that and I want to stay close incase.

You should have a blast. I really enjoy little sahara.

Later
Bat

 

Thanks a lot Bat, that's everything I needed in one response.
We'll bring wood - no way would I consider desecration of the landscape by cutting any wood. We were hoping to buy wood and avoid hauling an extra few hundred lbs. and losing the trailer space, but if that's what we must do then we will.

 

You could buy wood in some of the towns around the dunes, I think the convenience stores in nephi sell bundles of firewood. I think it was like two bundles for $8 or something like that. So, you could do that to save some space, then you are only about 45 minutes from the dunes.

Bat

 

Oasis is the place. The mtn wil be quiet, but it only takes one guy to keep you awake all night shooting the hill.. Explore the whole area. Most people who come just shoot the hill. There is a trail that rides along the Sand Mtn ridge line along the top. DSAholic and Demon Ds didn't even know this trail was there till I took them on it and they live here.. The first thing I do is explore then I go back and ride it if I liked it.. The Mtn can be brutal if the wind kicks up..

 

Yeah, that ridgeline trail is pretty cool.

Bat

 

Trails are my favorite, I'm sure I'll love it. I'm hoping for lots of sand trails. Wanna night ride too - hopefully I'm not the one bothering the campers at the mountain like you mentioned, but I'll have to do some night riding. I'll hit camp and start popping tops by midnight though.
I guess I should ask - should I bring my radials too? I mean is there good desert riding outside the dunes that is worth bringing knobbies to explore, which would otherwise tear up paddles?

 

We were there June 30th and july 1st 2002. The only people that were camped at the Oasis were us and Sandgod and Demons group. I never saw anyone camped at the hill.

Most of the trees at the oasis are more like shrubs but they're big enough to get under for shade. You'll have no problem finding the hill, It towers over everything out there.

Here is a video of Sand mountain from the bottom where you'd camp at.



LS Utah Sand Mountain. 291kb, windows media player required.

 

Yeah, there is plenty of desert to explore if you want to do that. But I find all my time is spent playing in the sand.

I think you can ride to an area called cherry creek, I could be wrong never did it, but 3tv told me about it once. I think it is a fairly long ride all desert.

Bat

 

hey hightower, me and the wife are planning to be there a day before you guys. we can find a spot at oasis for everyone. i bought an enclosed trailer for hauling our bikes. it will be a good portable garage in case we need it. were planning on sleeping in it while were there. cant wait!!!!!!!!