Sand Mountain (Nevada) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sand Mountain |
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 Sand Mountain
Location in Nevada
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| Topo map | USGS Fourmile Flat |
| Reference #: | 10 |
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Sand Mountain is a very special sand dune in Nevada, USA. It's about 20 miles (32 km) east of Fallon, Nevada, right along U.S. Route 50. This huge dune is famous for being a "singing sand" dune, which means it makes cool sounds when the wind blows or when people walk on it!
The dune itself is about two miles (3.2 km) long and stands 600 feet (183 meters) tall. The entire sandy area covers about 3.25 square miles (8.4 square kilometers). All this sand came from an ancient lake called Lake Lahontan, which mostly dried up around 9,000 years ago.
The Bureau of Land Management takes care of the Sand Mountain Recreation Area. It's a popular spot for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) like ATVs and dirt bikes. Besides the fun activities, this area is also the only home in the world for the critically endangered Sand Mountain blue butterfly. You can also find the old ruins of the Pony Express's Sand Springs Station here.
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Fun Activities at Sand Mountain
Sand Mountain is a great place for outdoor adventures. Many people love to ride their off-highway vehicles (OHVs) across the dunes. It's also a fantastic spot for unique sports like sandboarding and sand skiing, which are similar to snowboarding and skiing but on sand!
Rules for Off-Highway Vehicles
To keep everyone safe and protect the environment, there are some important rules for riding OHVs at Sand Mountain:
- You should only set up your camp in areas that are marked for camping.
- All vehicles riding on the dunes need to have an 8-foot (2.4-meter) whip flag. This helps everyone see each other.
- Please do not burn wood that has nails, screws, or other metal parts in it.
- Burning old tires is not allowed.
- When you are in camping areas, the speed limit is 15 mph (24 km/h).
- It's not allowed to have or use any glass cups or bottles in the area.
- Users need to pay a fee to enjoy the area. It costs $90 for a year or $40 for a week. This money helps the Bureau of Land Management take care of the area.
- Always avoid riding your vehicle in areas that are closed to motor vehicles. These areas might be closed to protect wildlife or for safety reasons.
Protecting the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly
The Sand Mountain blue butterfly is a very special insect. It lives only in the Sand Mountain area, which makes it critically endangered. This means there are very few of them left in the world. When you visit Sand Mountain, it's important to be careful and respect their home. Following the rules, especially staying out of closed areas, helps protect these tiny, beautiful creatures.
External Links
- Ride Spot: Sand Mountain, NV
- Utv Side-by-Sides
