top 10 Glamis Destinations

Imperial Sand Dunes allows you access to 125,000 acres, from the border of Mexico to Highway 78, with a small closure area in Gordons wells, all of this sand is free to roam. It draws all types of people, many come for the rides, many come to hang out with family and friends, while others come to see all the crazy vehicles and drivers. Glamis has something for every gear head from 2000+hp sand cars to kids riding 50cc quads roaming the sand. All this land allows for a wide variety of destinations and points of interest that allow you to view the nature of the dunes while getting your adrenaline pumping. Below is a list of the top destinations without GPS coordinates. To me this ruins the overall experience, and line choice. With GPS people just head straight thru the dunes for the dot not relying on landmarks and sense of direction.

When leaving camp on a ride you will end up at one of these destinations listed above. Many times you will head a direction and snake through the dunes arriving at chosen destination to relax, cool off, take in the sites, and have some refreshments. Many of these destinations are really only several miles from camp, or between each other, but the ride could a short 5 minutes or long as 30 depending on the route chosen. It may seem you are going the wrong direction or in circles, but the idea is to get into a smooth line that flows from dune to dune while ultimately heading to the destination.

Vendors row– Is an area located by the beach store (in the north east corner of the riding area) filled with all the companies that are there to offer food, accessories, and parts to dune goers. A trip to vendors can include looking for a souvenir T-shirt, flag to stay legal, or parts for a broken vehicle. Many will come down and get parts to get back in the dunes plus a trip to Daddys Famous Food for Ice Cream or Glamis Crack.

Boardmanville Trading Post– This is a small bar/ restaurant that has been one of the watering holes in Glamis since late 70’s. It was known back in the day as a spot to get a fresh shower, gas, beer, and watch sporting events. Long tradition is to pin a Dollar with a message on the walls and ceiling to mark your spot in history. To this day it is a good place to hang out and grab a meal or have a cold drink.

Oldsmobile hill– Is the major destination during the day and the party spot at night. “Olds” as so many refer to it as is where many have seen a videos of people racing up the hill or jump down the middle. If racing is your thing this is the spot many people will line up at the bottom and wait for others to line up so that can race up to see who is the fastest. First timers can access via the road in from Sand Highway just west of the vendors row. This path is usually able to get most vehicle and 4 wheel drive truck jeeps in here. Many will come from gecko or the washes via the dunes. When you arrive at Olds you may see several rows of people lined up at the bottom just watching the action while hanging out. Pull up find a spot and take in the views. Oldsmobile night time– Many people will return at night and hang out set up a fire and partake in adult beverages and people continue to race up and down the hill all night. Many a story is had when leaving camp on a night ride to olds. For the not very experienced stick to sand highway and entering from store vendor side. An experienced duner will be able to lead a group through the dunes at night to oldsmobile, but make sure everybody is up for the task. Trying to recover somebody in the middle of the night is never that fun. But makes for a great camp fire story the next time out.

The Slide- the slide is a hill that is south west of Olds. This is smaller hill that is slightly steeper. Many know this hill now as the Fireman memorial spot. A memorial was put in place to recognize the 19 hotshots that passed in the Yarnell fire in Prescott AZ. This appeared at this hill in 2014. It is a nice spot to stop, pay respect, but usually a quick stop on the way to the another destination.

Swing Set– Swing set is the original and best dune swing. Originally put in place as a memorial for a good friend and fellow duner Art Wood. It has evolved as people have added a grill, tether ball, and volleyball net. Art was driven by family and was always there to help everyone he came in touch with. The swing set is now a major destination in the dunes and will attract thousands on a busy weekend. Many have seen videos of people jumping or crashing the double at the top of the dune. The swing set is located in the same valley as the Flag pole just head southwest from flag pole.

Flag Pole– The box was originally air dropped from general Pattons army as they trained to enter World War II. The flag pole itself was placed on the box in 2000 as a memorial for Chuck Boardmanville of the Boardmanville Trading Post. Your local Watering hole found just east of the train tracks at wash 10. The flag pole now is the spot for one my favorite weekend of the dune season, The veterans ceremony celebration will draw tens of thousands to the middle of the dunes to honor our veterans and current military members. They change out the flag for a new one on the Saturday closes to veterans day

China Wall– This is commonly referred to as the steepest dune located in Glamis. This is true challenge of horsepower to make it to the top. Many will access here through the dunes but some may come from the washes. If you travel to wash 22 and then head west you will run into the small valley that houses China Wall. This is the most popular southern most hill in Glamis. There are 2 hills further south covered below.

The Wall/ Ceiling– These are 2 hills that can be found south of China Wall. These are not overly busy hills that are not usually visited as much as the other destinations. They both are located almost due south of China wall. The Dunes located between China Wall and here are very choppy and hard to get into a nice smooth line. They leave you typically traveling at slower speeds and you really have to choose you line as there are many drop offs, witches eyes, and very soft sand.

The Drags-This usually starts in the afternoons around 2-3pm and goes till sunset located by Pad 1/Ranger station on Gecko rd. This area people will line up on both sides and watch people race down through the middle. This is where you will see sand cars traveling upwards of 150mph. Sit her long enough on a busy weekend and you will see just about everything run through from their rental car to a school bus racing thru the drags. On a side note BE CAREFUL as this is usually where all the rangers and police swarm like bees to pull people over for violations of the rules. Make sure your registration and flags are visible to help avoid Law Enforcement interaction. In recent years many people now avoid the Drags, due to all the rangers, and choose to go to The Ledge (sunset hill) to take in the glamis sunset.

The Ledge (Sunset hill)– This has been a destination for our group since the early 2000’s although it has gotten more popular as the years have passed. This is located on one of the tallest dunes just south or Osbourne lookout and happens to face west allowing for a gorgeous red and orange sunset view. Space is limited and on busy weekend it will spill onto the dune tops around. it is a good place to go to avoid the chaos/Police of the drags. Not many things in life are better than a nice chill Glamis sunset with cold refreshments and good friends. A definite must one of the nights you are in Glamis.

Night Time Olds– This is the party place when the sun goes down. Most of the night till the early morning hours people will file in for night life seen. This is when the hill lights up with all the lighted whips and light bars everyone can see all the action. During the colder nights people will gather make a fire to watch people racing up the hill and jumping down the hill while enjoying the night. Please Pick up all your trash at the end of the night do not leave cans all over the place.

Duners Diner– Located off Highway 8 in the south just by the border in the Gordons Wells part of the Imperial Sand dunes. This is a long 20+ mi trip from Gecko rd south of Glamis down to interstate 8. Duners diner is a full restaurant and full bar with food like the Duner Burger or club sandwich which are both good. This is a good place to stop to re-hydrate and fill your belly. There is no gas available here so plan accordingly to make sure you can make it back on gas in your vehicle. DO NOT CARRY A GAS JUG IN THE BACK BED OF A SXS!! typically open on the weekends during the season and some days during the week on holiday weeks like thanksgiving and new years. Check their Facebook as they usually post operating hours. When you are done here you can travel across the bridge and check out the Border wall that is just about a half mile from freeway. Once you cross the bridge you are now into the buttercup area of the imperial sand dunes. It is were the scenes from star wars were shot for Return of the Jedi. You can also see the last remnants of the plank road that was laid down in the late 30’s 40’s to make a faster way to San Diego from Phoenix.