Last Updated on August 11, 2022
Arizona and the southwest are home to some of North America’s most suggestive deserts and sand dunes, most of which are filled with iconic Saguaro cacti and unique wildlife.
Sandboarding in Arizona is mostly practiced in the area surrounding Yuma and the Algodones / Imperial Sand Dunes, near the border with California and the Mexican province of Mexicali in Baja California.
As part of the Amazon Associate and eBay partner network programmes, we earn from qualifying purchases
Sand Dunes of Arizona
Yuma Sand Dunes – Yuma
The Yuma Desert comprises the far southwestern corner of Arizona. It extends about 12 miles to the north and more than 40 miles along the international boundary.
The area extends onto the Imperial Sand Dunes or Los Algodones, a system of sand dunes located between the state of California and the Mexican province of Baja California, but they are only 17 miles west of Yuma and about a 3 hour drive east of Phoenix.
Ehrenberg Sandbowl – Ehrenberg
The hilly, sandy terrain of the Ehrenberg Sandbowl makes this site a popular place for off-highway vehicle use. The area is a starting point for visitors to explore a variety of designated roads and trails. Dispersed camping is available nearby.
Hot Well Dunes – Safford
The sands at the Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area were a beach surrounding a lake approximately two million years ago. What remains today is one of the most unique recreation spots in Arizona.
Hot Well Dunes provides the opportunity to ride 2,000 acres of sand dunes, set up a camp, and then soak in relaxing hot tubs, all in the same location.
Parker Dunes – Cactus Plain, Parker
Desert wilderness with small sand hills and dunes ranging from 30 to 120 feet, many of which are covered by vegetation and unsuitable for sandboarding. The lack of trails further makes this location hard to access for most people who are not experienced hikers.
Recreation activities include backpacking, day hiking, sightseeing, horseback riding, and botanical and wildlife study. The Copper Basin Dunes OHV area is dedicated to dune riding with registered off-road vehicles on designated routes.
Recommended Tours
Sandboards for Sale
 Slip Face Sandboards’ Diamond Back Terrain Sandboard  | – 9 ply maple veneer deck – High pressure laminate base, high gloss – Dakine adjustable foot straps – Slip Face Sandboards multi-positionable foot pads – Swallow tail design |
 Slip Face Sandboards’ Kestrel Wing 127  | – 9 ply maple veneer deck – Low friction base – Dakine adjustable foot straps – Slip Face Sandboards multi-positionable foot pads – Swallow tail design |
Browse more sandboards and sandsleds
USA Sandboarding Map
Read also: Sonoran Desert Travel Guide
Your n°1 source of information on the world of sandsports and desert adventure travel. Our articles are the result of extensive research, personal experience, and knowledge-sharing within the global sandboarding community.
