Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

We’ve visited the Sand Dunes twice now and have had an amazing experience each time. Coming from San Diego, it truly feels like stepping into another world. The dunes are beautiful and immersive—you can walk on them, touch the sand, and really experience the landscape. What makes this spot especially worthwhile is how well it fits into a full Death Valley day. You can easily pair it with Badwater Basin, Artist’s Palette, and other nearby highlights. Staying for sunrise or sunset is a must—the lighting completely transforms the dunes. Parking has always been plentiful and stress-free. If you want a similar sand-dune vibe without driving all the way to Death Valley, Oceano Sand Dunes at Oceano Beach are a great alternative.

Great chill hike and area to see the sunset! It's 1.1 miles to the top of the tallest dune from the parking lot and not as difficult as you would think to walk on them. Go ahead, give it a go! You will enjoy it. Have fun. 12-9-25 Views once you get out further than a few hundred feet start to change. Beautiful area. Get past the footprints and then keep walking for a bit.

Unique setup and worth walking up to the highest dune at the very end. That walk will take with young kids about two hours, without probably 45-60 mins. Parking lot well maintained and paved, restrooms attached.

Great place in death valley. This place makes the valley look like a desert. One needs to hike. About at to 20 minutes to get in the dunes. But a short walk from the parking lot will get you to the sands with the crowd. Observed people sliding down the sand hills on snow slides. Great place unless you end up there in the middle of summer. The. It's probably too hot to do much exploring.

It's gorgeous. A LOT of people, dogs off leash, young people doing extensive selfie photo-shoots, tour busses stopping. So if you want to commune with the desert, bring hiking boots, hat, and lots of water! Even with the busy nature of the place, got gorgeous pics, saw rattlesnake and other critters prints, and overall enjoyed the area for about 30 mins. It was 93 F in early November. I would recommend it.

Some beautiful sand dunes, I observed them from the road, I parked on the side, but beware the side of the road is very soft, and it’s easy to stay stuck. Make sure you still have at least one tire on the road when you stop there.

Absolutely amazing views! The actual sand dunes are mid but the views during sunset are fantastic! Would highly recommend visiting!

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is an incredible stop and one of the most iconic spots in Death Valley National Park. The rolling sand dunes against the mountain backdrop are absolutely stunning and feel almost unreal. It’s easy to access right off the road, and you can explore freely with no marked trails, which makes it feel adventurous and peaceful. Sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful, with soft light and dramatic shadows across the sand. Walking the dunes can be tiring, but it’s worth it for the views and the quiet desert experience. Be sure to bring water and go early or late in the day to avoid the heat. A must-see if you’re visiting Death Valley — simple, natural, and unforgettable. 🌵🏜️

Death Valley is not covered with sand. Less than one percent of the desert is covered with sand dunes. Driving along the road, you can enjoy the beautiful shadowed ripples and stark, graceful curves covered with fine red sand. For dunes to exist there must be a source of sand, prevailing winds to move the sand, and a place for the sand to collect. The eroded canyons and washes provide plenty of sand, the wind seems to always blow, especially in the springtime. There are only a few areas in the park where the sand is "trapped" by geographic features such as mountains. The sand dunes of Death Valley National Park are excellent places for nature study and recreation. All of the dunes in Death Valley National Park are protected as wilderness, off-road vehicle travel is not permitted anywhere in the park. Must stop to walk on the Mesquite Flat Sand Dune and play!