White Wash Sand Dunes Trailhead

White sands is the closest campground from the entrance of little sahara recreation area, and also closest to the dunes, putting you right amongst them in some cases. Compared to Sand Mountain area though, the dunes around White Sands are much smaller, sharper(abrupt crests) and difficult to navigate at high speeds. Except for a few trails around the edges, you won't be able to drive near as fast... White sands is the closest campground from the entrance of little sahara recreation area, and also closest to the dunes, putting you right amongst them in some cases. Compared to Sand Mountain area though, the dunes around White Sands are much smaller, sharper(abrupt crests) and difficult to navigate at high speeds. Except for a few trails around the edges, you won't be able to drive near as fast in most cases, always being forced to slow down over the crest of the dune ahead. You never want to charge over the top of a dune that you don't know the other side of. Most accidents come from accidental jumps, blind turns, blind cresting or rollovers from turning too sharp or getting too sideways on a steep slope with insufficient speed. However, all the above makes white sands perfect for smaller, less powerful, or non-turbo utvs, atvs and motorcycle. There are few to no dunes in this area that most machines can't navigate with enough speed or even without paddles. To climb a dune, accelerate just before the bottom of smooth transition slopes, or right at the bottom after abrupt transitions (sharper, abrupt curve leading into the slope). You don't want to slam into abrupt transitions going up or down dunes as they can be dangerous, collapsing your arms into the handle bars at best, or throwing you over the handle bars straight into the hill or ground at worst. Even in a utv these abrupt transitions/curve can cause neck injury or suspension damage. If you aren't running paddles, most machines or even 4x4 vehicles can navigate these dunes by airing down tires to ~10 psi on ohvs, or 15-20 on 4x4 street vehicles. Don't forget to air up for the drive home, making an 12v air compressor a necessary tool if you intend to use your 4x4 etc. With all the above in mind, these dunes have been a staple adventure for my family since my early childhood riding in my dad's jeep. Avoid mid summer if you don't like the heat. White sands is more protected from wind offers some shade from native cedar trees throughout. Most vault toilets also have water spigots to refill drinking water containers etc. Stay safe or there!