AZ/CA riders: what do I need for the dunes?

[Dammit!]

I think I'm finally going to be heading out there very soon. Just waiting on a couple parts to be delivered. Really wanted a new chain on there first but it's back ordered. Jetting is close enough that I should be able to finish it up when I get there.

I've never been to any of the sand dunes out here. Not Glamis or even Buttercup. Don't even know exactly how to get to either of them. I know I need a $20 permit if I go to the CA side. Is it worth the extra hour drive to go to Glamis rather than Buttercup (HATE that name by the way)? I'll only be going out there for one day so that's two hours riding time.

I need to know what I need to bring (other than the obvious food and water).

Do the main parking areas have restrooms?

Do I need a special permit if I stay in AZ? I have a state trust land permit already.

Anybody want to go with me? :welcome:

Anything else that might not be obvious that I should know about?

[83185s]

sand tires!! :)

[Dammit!]

sand tires!! :)

Check. :w00t:

[Darius1502]

Why did you get the ones with a high sidewall like that.

Just curious is that for more ground clearance?

[Tucson 200x]

Just got back from Buttercup on Sunday. Yes the area around the dunes has lots of restrooms about 200ft apart. As you come into the rec area you will see the pay station and its $25 for a week. If you ride the dunes to the West there are bigger bowls. I had a blast to bad you cant stay longer sand paddles are needed so you can get up higher on the bowls have fun :D

[Dammit!]

Why did you get the ones with a high sidewall like that.

Just curious is that for more ground clearance?

The tires are still 20 inches tall. They're just on 8 inch rims so it makes them look taller.

Got them on sale for super cheap so I figured they'd get me by for a while.

[a-camp]

Nice they will do fine.I rode Glamis 3 trips with no paddles.Your bike will be more at home than on any other surface I feel. Whats the hurry? 3 days works good.

[jenndnn3]

You need a flag

[Dammit!]

Nice they will do fine.I rode Glamis 3 trips with no paddles.Your bike will be more at home than on any other surface I feel. Whats the hurry? 3 days works good.

Lots of reasons. No camping gear, nobody to watch my dog, work is unpredictable, yadda yadda. Sucks but dammit I want to go! :Bounce

Even if I only get to ride for a few hours it would be worth it. The curiousity is killing me.


You need a flag

Got the flag but my grab bar doesn't have a mount. Ordered a PRM a couple nights ago. That's really the last thing I'm waiting on.

[4cylinders]

hey, we only get a couple hours when ever we go, so we just hit and run. okay, you go over the railroad tracks, then you pass the glamis store, keep going until you get to the osbourne overlook on the left. go to the parking lot, unload, play for a while, load up , go home.

[mymint87]

when do you plan on going?

you have to bring a riding buddy...don't go in the dunes without one :beer

[azhondagrl]

Hey Dammit, take the 10 west out to the 78South, which is just past Blythe. You'll take that for approx. 50 miles(it zigs and zags), then you'll see the Glamis Store, you can pay 20 bucks for the week(thats the min. they have), you also have to pay 20 bucks for a green sticker(they're actually orange this year). That is good for a year. Actually I think until Dec. of 05. It took us about 3.5-4 hours, and I think its worth every minute of riding you get there. We parked at the Gecko Campground/loop(i believe is the name). Any other questions, you know where to get ahold of me at...=) :w00t:

[Dammit!]

when do you plan on going?

you have to bring a riding buddy...don't go in the dunes without one :beer

I most likely will be going alone. If I can manage it I'm going to try and go on a sunday so other people are around to call the ambulance for me. :)

[mymint87]

first time out and by yourself i would say it isn't worth the extra hour to go to glamis...

gordons/buttercup are awesome, you have the drags, a must see, and test hill, both located along the canal and easy to find, plus you can twist off to a bowl or 2 in the dunes

the also have a store, "pair-a-dice" which has food /drinks/ parts...

bring your paddles...

everyone usually rolls out on sunday...saturday would be cool...

consider going on presidents weekend....meet me and the nick

[Dammit!]

Are Gordon's and Buttercup the same place? :wondering

Like I said, I know nothing. :welcome:

[mymint87]

well yea they are close ...

buttercup on the south side of hwy 8 gordons is on the north...they doo allow you to cross over the overpass from butter to gordons on your atc/atv


seriously... let me know when your going

check out www.gordonswell.com

[Dammit!]

As soon as I have a specific date I'll be sure and let the board know about it. It'd be cool if a couple of you could meet me out there and show me around a bit.

Edit: that site doesn't work.

[AZ250R]

These are the two sites that gave me the most info on the "Imperial sand dunes", where all the places you've been told about exist.

http://www.glamisonline.org/
http://www.glamisdunes.com/index.html

Poke around in those and you will find maps of all the areas, and a great message board with sub areas pertaining to the different places. I've yet to join in these forums but use them for info all the time! :beer

Your best bet, & I'd be willing to go with ya for a day ride, is Buttercup. Even if ya don't like the name its just the easiest to do. Ya pull off the road & can be up in the larger bowls in minuits! Then go back to the truck for refills on fluids, for both the trike & you. Its the first place I went too and gladly go back any chance I get.

[Dammit!]

Is there a season pass or anything for buttercup/gordons well? $25 each trip sounds kinda steep. I assume that gets you into both though right? Is there any other kind of permit or fees I need to know about for those places?

[mymint87]

yes, the season pass starts/stops in september so it wouldn't be worth it to you to get one..there about 90 bucks ...if your going you'd better hurry, the store is seasonal and will be closing soon.....bring shade and plenty of fluids ..................getting hot out there..................lmk i'll be out there easter

[Dammit!]

Why does it matter if the store is closed? :confused:

[Rex Karz]

Riding the Dunes on a 3 wheeler is like.......... COMING HOME!

[AZ250R]

Why does it matter if the store is closed? :confused:
I have no idea either!!?!? I do have a season pass, for this year, that 3 of us went in on. You could use it some time, since we aren't get'n much use out of it. Let me know, would be a good reason to meet up anyway. :beer

[Dammit!]

That would be sweet. I might go during the week next week if I can get some things done first. Might go for a quick ride out at Bell and Crozier or whatever that street is called tomorrow just to make sure the trike is 100%.

If we meet up so I can get the pass, I'll even bring the trike so you can have a look at it in person. :cool:

[AZ250R]

Let me know as soon as you can, like @ least a day in advance, so I can get it... its in my friends hauler.

[Dammit!]

If you go there without one, I suppose there's an obvious place to buy them when you get out there right?

[resto250r]

I've never been out there myself, wouldn't mind finding some riding buddies. I just bought a trailer and a ramcharger, but the ram has been parked for a while so I'm getting all that dialed trailprotrailpro I trust takin it that far. I have some camping gear, I hear it gets cold there in the mornin so keep that in mind. Anyone going and want a riding buddy send me a message.

[mymint87]

Why does it matter if the store is closed? :confused:

supplies/parts if needed..............i guess you can always pack up and drive to Yuma if you need a part

[mymint87]

If you go there without one, I suppose there's an obvious place to buy them when you get out there right?


ya.................. they have little kiosks set up...bring cash....

[AZ250R]

ya.................. they have little kiosks set up...bring cash....
The last few "pay stations" that I saw are automated to take bills, of any denomination. I'm even think'n they have a credit card swipe on them now, but not for sure. You get a receipt out of that machine, which is proof of pay'n. Then you turn that in with the rangers / border patrol for the actual pass I think... Come to think of it someone has always turned in the receipt for me, I've never done that part...

Now if you goto "Buttercup" & you park, before the "pay station"... can ya get away without having to pay... since your vehicle technicaly isn't in the "camping area"!!?!? I've seen a few people stay in that small area between the freeway & the actual camping area always wondering if they had to pay... :rolleyes:

[BRAD 250R]

If it's your first time out there, I defintly wouldn't go out there alone. It would suck to be out in the middle of dunes, then something happends. We've ridden out there and stoped to rest, I wouldn't hear nothing or see nothing for miles.
I hope you make it out there, it's awsome!

[Dammit!]

Going alone is the only way I can go right now because I work weekends. Sucks but there's nothing I can do but hope there's some people out there I can tag along with. Otherwise I'll try not to stray too far from the truck. I've been in situations before where I've wiped out with nobody around and had to push a broken bike back to the truck. It is a truly sucky experience.

The R is in good shape. As long as I don't wreck it I should be ok.

[BRAD 250R]

I'm sure you'll be able to meet up with people. Last time I was there I saw a lot of trikes, and met some guys with trikes and went riding with them. Well good luck

[mymint87]

Going alone is the only way I can go right now because I work weekends. Sucks but there's nothing I can do but hope there's some people out there I can tag along with. Otherwise I'll try not to stray too far from the truck. I've been in situations before where I've wiped out with nobody around and had to push a broken bike back to the truck. It is a truly sucky experience.

The R is in good shape. As long as I don't wreck it I should be ok.

pushing through sand sucks even sucky more.....thank god for riding buddies....hehe...i make it a habit of bring a tow rope on rides to pull the quads back to camp


just let us so cal twisters know when your going...maybe one of us can meet you

BTW got a cell phone?

[Dammit!]

My cell phone doesn't have roaming. It won't work out there. If I wreck I'm buzzard bait. lol