We're going to Glamis for Turkey Day with our two girls, ages 10 & 5 and would like to know where the best place to camp is at. Any info on what it's like party wise that weekend would be great, because my husband doesn't want to miss out on any of that!! Is it possible to go on a family ride there with our 5 year old, who is just learning, or is it just too crowded? Any info, hints, idea's would be great. We're coming down from Oregon and spending all Monday in Disneyland and riding Tues through Fri. If we leave on Sat. morning do we miss the big parties or do they not do them as much because of the restrictions on some of the big hills? Thanks for the help.....

 

good luck, the flats along gecko road arent really the best place for a new rider. buggies and bikes pass by sometimes going in excess of 70mph. it seems to be pretty calm at the end of gecko road, but on a big weekend like that, you dont always get a choice in where you will be camping.

 

Get as far down Gecko road as you can. The closer you are to Roadrunner campground the better. You may THINK you want to be in the middle of the fun but I wouldn't have my 5 & 10 year old kids anywhere near the rowdies. You will find plenty of people who will party 24/7 on Gecko but they will do it with class. Plus getting there on Tuesday AM willl get you a good spot. I'd park on the westside of the road, [ the side away from the main body of the dunes] you get less people buzzing your campsite. Remember to bring warm clothes and sleeping gear. For some reason, people from outside the desert southwest think it's 80 degrees at night. It can be in the 30's and VERY windy. My first T-Day was '01 and I slept on a beach chair in a $15 sleeping bag during a 40 degree sandstorm. If it had not been for my thick Midwest blood I would have frozen to death. Be prepared for anything temperature wise.

 

You have some alternative riding areas in the Imperial Sand Dunes. But they are all going to be crowded, not as crowded as Glamis though. Gordans Well is my favorite. And around 4 they have sand drags that get a little crazy(for your husband.) There is also Buttercup and Ogilby for the family oriented.