Unusual Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes – Death Valley National Park

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Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are beautiful and the most accessible sand dunes in Death Valley. Though they are not the tallest, they are very popular among tourists. The largest dune is called Star Dune. The highest dune rises about 100 feet, but these dunes cover massive territory, but it’s only one percent of the Death Valley that is covered with sand.

These dunes were formed over thousands of years. When the sand, brought by the wind, reaches mountains and can’t go anywhere further, it settles at the foot of the mountains. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are surrounded by mountains from all sides: Tucki Mountains, Grapevine Range, and Funeral Mountains.

There are three types of dunes that can be found at Mesquite Flats: crescent, linear and star shaped. Mesquite trees and creosote bush create perfect conditions for wildlife. Mesquite trees grew here even before sand dunes, and for creosote bush this conditions are favorable. This unique habitat is home to kit fox, burrowing owls, lizards, rodents and sidewinder rattlesnakes.
There is no a specially marked trail because the sand shifts continually. You just need to choose the highest dune and go. Every hiker decides himself how far he will go. The best time to visit dunes is at sunrise and sunset. The incredible color and light will amaze you for sure. If you come early in the morning, you might see animal tracks and enjoy fresh and unspoiled textures of the sand dunes.

You need to pay an entrance fee for the Death Valley National Park, but no permit is required to hike on the dunes.

The sand dunes of Death Valley National Park are excellent places that open fabulous opportunities for nature study and recreation.
How to get to there: From Furnace Creek drive 22 miles northwest on Highway 190. Three miles before Stovepipe Wells, turn right into a parking lot.

Photo: Roman Khomlyak
Photo Editing: Juliana Voitsikhovska
Information: Marina Petrova