American Sand Dunes: Where to find dunes in the United States

Last Updated on August 11, 2022

The United States covers nearly 3.8 million square miles, within this vast area, the country is divided into different environments, from snow-capped mountains to warm, sandy deserts.

Regardless of whether your country is in the desert or surrounded by greenery, chances are you will find sand dunes there! In fact, almost every single one of the 50 U.S. states has sand dunes, with the only exception of the state of Tennessee which does not have any.

Below, a list of all sand dunes in the US, grouped by state.

List of US Sand Dunes by State

Best Sand Dunes in the US

White Sands – New Mexico

The White Sands National Park is a one-of-a-kind desert characterized by distinctive white colored sand which looks like snow. The sand is in fact made of gypsum rather than quartz, which gives it the peculiar white color. Despite being in a hot desert, the temperature of the sand at the park is usually mild enough that you can walk on it barefoot, and the spot is popular for dune sledding.

Sleeping Bear Dunes – Michigan

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a United States National Lakeshore Park located along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It is a popular tourist destination known for its dune climb, and one of the few places in the US where the dunes get covered in snow during winter.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes – Utah

Coral Pink Sand Dunes is located near the city of Kanab in Utah. As the name suggests, the dunes there are characterized by a pink-orange color and a must-see at times of dawn and dusk, when the softer lights accentuate the color of the sand. It is a popular spot for sandboarding and off-road vehicle riding.

Great Sand Dunes – Colorado

The Great Sand Dunes are thus called because they are the tallest sand dunes in the US and North America. These dunes are the remains of an ancient lake now vanished, Lake Alamosa. The highest dunes are star-shaped and measure over 8000 feet in elevation, and around 750 feet from base to top.

Waynoka Sand Dunes – Little Sahara State Park, Oklahoma

Little Sahara State Park is open-year round and does not require any permit to enter. It boasts over 1,600 acres of sand dunes, ranging in height from 25 feet to 75 ft and is very popular with ATV riders and sandboarders.

USA Sand Dunes FAQs

Are there sand dunes in Illinois?

You can find plenty of sand dunes at the Illinois Beach State Park near the shores of Lake Michigan in Illinois.

Are there sand dunes in Nevada?

There are a few spots where you can enjoy sand dunes in Nevada. The Winnemucca Sand Dunes is the largest sand field in -Nevada, located north of the town they are named after. The Amargosa Valley Sand Dunes are the largest dunes near Las Vegas, while the popular off-roading site of Sand Mountain is located near the town of Fallon.

Are there sand dunes in Ohio?

There are some interesting sand dunes at the Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve in northern Ohio, near the own of Mentor.

Are there sand dunes in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma is a popular destination for those who want to enjoy sand dunes in the country. The Waynoka dunes are located within Little Sahara State Park, where visitors enjoy riding or surfing down 1,600 acres of sand dunes between 25 and 75 feet of height. The Cherokee word “Waynoka” means “sweet water”.

Are there sand dunes in Tennessee?

Tennessee is the only US state without any form of sand dune, neither natural nor artificial.

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