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 will 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 a monster burrito

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 the dumbasses that like to jump down it. If racing is you 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.

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– Flag pole was added to air dropped box 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 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.

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. 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 witches eyes and drop offs.

The Drags-This usually starts in the afternoons around 2-3pm and goes till sunset located by Pad 1 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 sandcars traveling upwards of 150mph in the sand. A lot of people will line up and run through and challenge as many people as they can. BE CAREFUL as this is usually where the rangers and police set up to pull people over for violations of the rules. Make sure your registration and flags are visible to help avoid LEO interaction. In recent years many people now avoid the Drags 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 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. If you want to avoid the chaos/Police of the drags and like a nice chill sunset with cold refreshments this is your spot. 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 south of Glamis. It is a full restaurant and bar with a bloody Mary bar on the weekends and food like the Duner Burger. This is a good place to stop 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!!