Texas is an amazing state with breathtaking cities, mountains, farmlands and beaches. One thing you might not know is that Texas is a wonderful sandboarding destination.
Texas occupies the Eastern border of the Chihuahuan desert. The Chihuahuan desert is one of the most exciting deserts and undeniably the largest in North America, spreading between Mexico and US.
If you’re wondering if you can go sandboarding in Texas then you’re in for an exciting adventure on the massive sand dunes in Texas.
In this article, we are going to explore all the magical sand dunes you will find in Texas and the activities you can engage in while in this beautiful state.
1. Monahans Sandhills State Park
Monahans Sandhills State Park is a large park occupying approximately 3840 acres. Monahans Park has desert-like features (although it isn’t a desert) and is located near Monahans Town, West Texas.
There are a lot of activities that go on in Monahans Sandhills State Park. That means if you’re looking for a full fledged all day adventure then Monahans Sandhills park is the ideal place for you.
With the desert-like semi-arid features, a visit to this park feels like you’re in the middle of the Sahara Desert. You also get to enjoy wild activities that you don’t just get to enjoy anywhere.
One thing that makes Monahans Sandhills State Park unique is the lack of directions and clear pathways making the park look like no one has ever set their foot on the sand.
You only need to pay $4 to get into the park and if you’re coming along with your family then you don’t have to worry about paying your kid’s entry fees.
Fun Activities You can Do at Monahans Sandhills State Park
As we mentioned earlier, there are alot of things you can do in Monahans Sandhills State Park.
Here are some of the exciting activities you can try out apart from sandboarding:
- Bird watching
- Horse riding
- Hiking
- Sand surfing
Monahans Sandhills State Park also has most basic amenities needed like a dump station, park store, picnic area, parking, hot showers and restrooms among other facilities.
How To Get To Monahans Sandhills State Park
If you’re coming from Midland, take the l-20 (Exit 86). After that, take Park Road 41 North to Monahans park.
When coming from El Paso, take 20 East and drive 6 miles to exit 86 and then take park road 41 and go North to the park.
You might also be coming from San Antonio. Take l 10 west to Fort Stockton. When you reach there, drive l 20 east for 6 miles to exit 86. After that take park road 41 North of Monahans Park.
2. Salt Basin- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Salt Basin Sand Dunes is located in the Chihuahuan Desert on the border of New Mexico. Salt Basin is popular thanks to its white sand dunes.
The white gypsum sand dunes in the Salt Basin vary in height. Some go upto 100 feet from the desert floor and some 70 feet.
When you get to the west, you will come across barren salt flats ( the source of the White dunes).
You might wonder why the dunes are salty. The rain pours and runs off highly soluble limestone rocks in the mountains thus salt is leached.
The rain water then runs off to the pools in the desert basin and evaporates, leaving behind large grains of salt.
After that, the wind blows the salt grains northwest towards Guadalupe Mountains where they sit at the base of the mountain and form gypsum dunes.
The gypsum dunes form a beautiful contrast against the dark mountains creating a beautiful landscape. The only disadvantage is, sandboarding is not allowed in the salt basin.
However, that’s not a deal breaker. You can easily reach White Sand Dunes National Park which is near Texas. You can go sandboarding, (sand sledding) and engage in some other mind blowing activities.
How To Get To Salt Basin Sand Dunes
When planning to go to Salt Basin Sand Dunes, you need to consider time because the dunes are only accessible during the day and camping is prohibited.
The access road is clay and it gets dangerously slippery during rainy days. For that reason, it is advisable you avoid visiting the area during wet seasons.
Another thing to note is that there are animals along the way so you have to drive at a low speed of about 25 miles per hour.
If you’re coming from Pine Springs Visitor Center, turn right on highway 62/180, take west and drive for 23 miles. When you reach Salt Flat, take right on FM Road 1576 then drive 17 miles north then turn right when you get to Williams Road. Travel about 7.5 miles east of the Park’s parking area.
You will still hike about a mile from the trailhead so follow the old road that will take you past the old parking lot to the sand dunes. Ensure you have the right shoes.
NB: Be careful and pay attention to the route you’re taking when coming from the dunes because you might go further into the desert and away from your car. Also learn about sandboarding in California.
3. Kermit Sand Hills
Kermit Sand Hills is a large dune area that once provided 700 acres of dune system to explore but at the moment is closed to the public.
There were many activities that took place at Kermit Sand Hills with ATV riding leading the list. This area was ideal for the sport because there are numerous small flat sand dunes and side trails.
The place had western and eastern areas with staging areas on both with primitive camping that had basic amenities.
At the moment the Park is closed to the public after it was sold to a private company in 2016. However, there are nearby parks and areas that can offer you amazing picnic and riding opportunities like Red Sands in El Paso- Texas, Red Sands Alamogordo in New Mexico, Mescalero Sand Dunes and Hackberry Lake.
Related: Check different types of sandboard wax
How To Get To Kermit Sand Dunes
If you want to visit this sand park sometime in future, when they reopen it. Here is how to get there.
If you’re coming from Kermit Town, take highway 115 northeast and drive about 10 miles past the FM 874 junction.
Final Word
Texas is a beautiful place with an amazing landscape that you can easily fall in love with. Even though Kermit Sand Dunes Park is closed, there are other sand dunes you can explore and have a lot of fun. Try out the sand dunes we have mentioned and you will love Texas State.