Last Updated on July 15, 2023
When it comes to beachy getaways, Mendocino County in Northern California is often overshadowed by the more popular destinations on the coast.
But nestled among the towering redwoods and rugged cliffs of Fort Bragg, lies a hidden gem: the Ten Mile Dunes.
The Ten Mile Dunes are part of the 1,300-acre Inglenook Fen-Ten Mile Dunes Natural Preserve that forms the northern section of MacKerricher State Park.
This vast dunes structure, which is almost a mile wide, offers endless opportunities for adventure and exploration.
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The Ten Mile Dunes are known for their impressive size that reach up to 130 feet in height.
These coastal sand dunes are considered to be the largest sand dunes on the Northern California coast, yet they receive little attention compared to other popular dune destinations such as the Oregon Coast or Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes.
Location and Access
Reaching the Ten Mile Dunes is relatively easy, but requires a bit of effort. The best way to access the dunes is to take Highway 1 north from Fort Bragg for about 8 miles.
Keep an eye out for a small parking lot on the left (west) side of the road, marked with a sign that reads “Coastal Access.”
This parking lot is mainly used as an access point for MacKerricher Beach and is the trailhead for the Ten Mile Dunes.
From the parking lot, you will need to follow a trail that parallels Highway 1, heading northwest until you reach the start of the Ten Mile River Bridge.
At this point, the trail breaks off to the left and descends towards the beach. The trail is a bit brushy in some areas, but soon transitions to sand. After about 100 meters, you will come to an unmarked split.
The obvious path leads to the right, descending down to a more established road trace that runs next to the Ten Mile River. The other trail splits off to the left, climbing uphill into sandy terrain. This is the trail you will want to take to head up into the dunes.
Once you reach the dunefield, you will find yourself in an open landscape of dunes, with no established paths.
Sand Sledding at Ten Mile Dunes
One of the most popular activities at the Ten Mile Dunes is sand sledding. This unique activity involves either lying on a piece of board face down or sitting on it while gliding down a sand dune.
Sleds and toboggans for beach and desert dunes are built with a harder base where wax can be applied to reduce friction with sand.
Sledding on sand dunes is a popular recreational activity on sand dunes, next to sandboarding. It consists of either lying on a piece of board face down or sitting on it while gliding down a sand dune.
Sleds and toboggans for beach and desert dunes are built with a harder based where wax can be applied to reduce friction with sand.
To enjoy sand sledding at the Ten Mile Dunes, you will need to bring your own sand sled or rent one from a local outfitter.
You will also need to bring some sandboard wax to apply to the base of your sled to ensure smooth sliding on sand.
Sandboard wax provides an additional protection layer between your sled and the terrain, which repels sand particles, making your ride faster and protecting your board from damage.
Sleds for Sand Dunes
 Slippery Racer Downhill Falcon Foam Toboggan |  AIRHEAD CYBER RYDER Foam Sled |  Flexible Flyer Steel Sand Slider |
Other Activities
Aside from sand sledding, Ten Mile Dunes offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Part of the 1,300-acre Inglenook Fen-Ten Mile Dunes Natural Preserve, the Ten Mile Dunes are located just north of Fort Bragg, stretching from Ward Avenue to the Ten Mile River.
The preserve includes a unique, native dune and wetland ecosystem, complete with the Inglenook Fen, Ten Mile River, Ten Mile Beach, and of course, the Ten Mile Dunes.
At the northern end of the pullout, there is a small brown trail marker and a narrow trail that leads to the dunes.
Visitors can enjoy hiking and exploring the dunes, beachcombing along the coast, birdwatching, fishing in the Ten Mile River, and horseback riding on the dunes themselves.
Be sure to stay on established paths and avoid disturbing the plant and animal life while exploring.
Read also: Sandboarding in California’s Mojave Desert
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