This part of Death Valley National Park is made up of an otherworldly terrain of clay, sand and the surrounding mountains.
The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is a spectacular natural phenomenon in the heart of Death Valley. It consists of dunes 100 feet (30 meters) high that offer unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. Notice the ever-changing patterns carved into this sandy landscape.
Bring your family to the dunes and climb to the peaks for stunning vistas. Reach the highest summit at the Star Dune, which is formed by consistent winds. Race down the side of the dune with your friends.
The dunes seem to be made up of rippled and smooth sections. Watch the sunset or sunrise from this sandy vantage point and admire the way the mountains turn shades of dark red. Eventually, they become silhouettes in a shadowy, bumpy realm.
Spot the animal tracks left in the sand from the night before. Most wildlife you can expect to see here will be rodents and small birds. At night, catch a wonderful glimpse of the moon, but beware of the rattlesnakes on summer evenings.
As you explore the dunes, notice harder parts underfoot that have turned into a type of clay, cracked into a labyrinth of patterns. Much of the sand began as rock from the Cottonwood Mountains.
Note that the shifting nature of the sand means the attraction has no official trail. The dunes have been used in a range of Hollywood productions, including Star Wars.
Find the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes on the northern end of the valley in the center of Death Valley National Park. There is a fee to enter the national park, which includes access to the dunes.
Arrive by car and leave your vehicle in the parking lot. Visit some of the other nearby attractions, such as the Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station, the Devil’s Cornfield and Grotto Canyon. Make sure to bring enough water and sunscreen for your time in this hot, arid land.
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