Imagine flying down a mountain, carving turns as though you're on a snowy slope. Except it's 90 degrees and that mountain is all sand. This is sandboarding, the desert's answer to snowboarding. It's fast, thrilling and surreal—it’s trading white mountains for painted deserts and Mars-like landscapes.
There are no ski lifts to take you to the top, and no luxury cabins to chill in after. Just true grit, campfires and thrilling adventures. Sound intriguing? Here’s a roundup of the most unforgettable sandboarding spots across the Southwest.
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Reed Naliboff_Unsplash
Imperial Sand Dunes
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Public Domain
Star Wars Imperial Sand Dunes
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Desert LCC - CC BY 2.0
flat tailed horned lizard
1. Imperial Sand Dunes, California
Arizonans often know this one as a marker while heading to San Diego. If you feel like you can picture C3P0 walking around, that’s probably because this is a filming location for many of the scenes on the planet Tatooine in a few Star Wars movies. This is one of the longest dunes in the country, with sections for RV and tent camping and ATVs to really live life in adventure. Sandboarding can be done in the non-motorized Algodones Dunes Wilderness Area. Not only is the sandboarding fun, but the rippling also makes a perfect backdrop for some incredible photography. This is also where the desert wildlife lives. It’s not too uncommon to catch a glimpse of a horned-toad lizard or a burrowing owl and hear the coyotes howling at the moon at night.
Know before you go:
- No sandboard rentals; it’s BYOB here.
- Best at sunrise or sunset for cooler temps and golden light.
- Summer temps can exceed 120°F. Take precautions or visit in spring or fall.
When you go:
- Imperial Sand Dunes, blm.gov/visit/imperial-sand-dunes
- Glamis, California, visitglamis.com
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New Mexico True
Sledding at White Sands NP
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Megan Byers_Unsplash
White Sand National Park
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Rinusbaak - Dreamstime
Night Sky With Milky Way
Milky Way Over Yucca Plant At White Sands National Park, Near Alamogordo, New Mexico
2. White Sands National Park, New Mexico
These dunes are a bit mind-blowing when you first see them because they look like snow…or maybe even a landscape dropped from the moon itself. The sands are filled with white gypsum and is a great option for families as the dunes are smaller and gentler, and there is a shop to rent the equipment. While most dunes are barren are far as vegetation goes, these have several agave and desert plants throughout. Rent a plastic saucer from the park or gift shop and enjoy, but don’t skip the nighttime here because this is one of the best places for stargazing in New Mexico. At night, the white sands glow making a gorgeous reflection, and thanks to the low-light pollution here, the Milky Way can be vivid. There is backcountry camping with permits required if you want to spend the entire night under the stars.
Know Before You Go:
- Only plastic saucers are allowed for sand sliding—buy or rent one at the park gift shop.
- Summer can be scorching, and shade is minimal. Bring plenty of water and a wide-brim hat.
- Occasionally closes for military testing (check the NPS site before visiting).
When you go:
- White Sands National Park, nps.gov/whsa
- Las Cruces, New Mexico, visitlascruces.com
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James Mirakian_Pexels
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
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James Mirakian_Pexels
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
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balazsimon_Pexels
Slot Canyons
3. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah
If the dunes of New Mexico are from the moon, these sands in Utah just might be from Mars. Situated between red rock cliffs and ponderosa pines, the peach-colored dunes offer a softer, more scenic ride with views of Zion national Park to the south. While most of the park is for off-roading vehicles, there are great areas for sandboarding and sledding as well. Rent a board from the park office, hike up the nearby trails and enjoy. Nearby in Kanab, Utah, are the Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyons to explore as well. More than just a fancy name, these are very narrow slots at the bottom of a canyon that you simply have to see to know its full beauty.
Know before you go:
- Sandboard and sled rentals are available at the visitor center.
- Dunes are more compact than other locations—great for beginners.
- Campgrounds are available with showers, water and shaded picnic areas.
- Slot canyons near Kanab may require a guide or permit—check ahead.
- Be prepared for tight spaces: Some slot canyon passages are just a few feet wide.
When You Go:
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, stateparks.utah.gov/parks/coral-pink/
- Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyons, blm.gov/visit/peek-boo-slot-canyon
- Kanab, Utah, kanab.utah.gov/2147/Visitors
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Visit Colorado - Lumenati
Great Sand Dunes National Park
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Brand USA - Chase Dong
Great Sand Dunes National Park
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Visit Colorado - Lumenati
Great Sand Dunes National Park
4. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Colorado isn’t just home to some of the tallest mountain peaks in the Southwest—it’s dune hills are epic, too. At the Great Sand Dunes National Park, some of these hills reach over 750 feet! Sleds and sandboards are available to rent here, and this is where the more experienced, thrill-seekers gather to hike up the peaks and make the gritty descend down. For those with young kids, there are plenty of smaller slopes here, along with a lot of diversity. Not only are you surrounded by the famous Colorado snow-tipped mountains, there’s also the Medano Creek that runs seasonally (usually in late spring) for splashing or even tubing if the levels are high enough.
Know before you go:
- Boards and sleds can be rented in nearby Alamosa or Hooper (regular snowboards won’t cut it).
- Summer sand temperatures can exceed 140°F—go early or late in the day.
- Campsites book up fast; reserve in advance if you want to stay at the base of the dunes.
When you go:
- Great Sand Dunes, nps.gov/grsa/index.htm
- Mosca, Colorado, uncovercolorado.com/towns/mosca
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Josh Spencer; CC BY 3.0
Monahans Sandhills State Park
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Claire Gillman-CC BY 2.0
Monahans Sandhills State Park
5. Monahans Sandhills State Park, Texas
Sandboarding is for the cowboys, too. This West Texas gem offers miles of dunes that shift and reshape with every wind. It’s less well known, which also means it’s uncrowded and feels like your own private sandboarding playground. There are no trails here, just explore at your own leisure. These dunes are perfect for families with campgrounds that include recreational areas like volleyball, picnic tables and more. And just down the road is Monahans Main Street, an Old West-style downtown with restaurants and antique stores to explore. As far as sandboarding, plastic sand disks are the way to go for these dunes, available at the visitor’s center.
Know before you go:
- Watch out for high heat and strong winds in summer months.
- Camping offers electricity and water, but reservations are required.
When you go:
- Monahans Sandhills State Park, tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/monahans-sandhills
- Monahans, Texas, business.monahans.org/visitorguide
Sandboarding, Southwest Style
Whether you want soft, peach-colored runs in Utah or towering adrenaline drops in Colorado, the Southwest is the perfect sandbox. So, grab your board (or sled), pack the sunscreen and hit the dunes. You’ll come back sandy, sun-kissed and totally stoked.