Salt Basin Dunes

Twenty six million years ago, a period of tectonic movement created a depression in the foundation rocks of the earth's crust.

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Salt Basin Dunes Details

Twenty six million years ago, a period of tectonic movement lifted the Guadalupe Mountains out of the sediment and into the heroic formations we see today. However, where one thing goes up another must fall down-- during that same period of uplift, other regions of the park were turning into a "graben," a drop-down in the foundation rocks of the earth's crust. As the ancient sea receded, the water had nowhere to go but to this pit. It collected there, and as it evaporated it left behind gypsum and salt deposits. During the Pleistocene era, heavy rainfall filled the graben into a small lake; wind and current shifted the underlying gypsum and salt, so that when this lake ultimately evaporated, it left behind a series of giant sandy mountains-- dunes. The dunes vary between three feet tall and sixty feet tall. Dunes on the edges are partially vegetated, while the taller dunes in the center of the ancient lake have very little vegetation. To get to the sand dunes from the Pine Springs visitor center, drive west on Highway 180/62 23 miles to salt flat. At salt flat, get on Road 1576. After 17 miles on 1576, turn onto Williams Road. The ranch is located seven and a half miles down Williams Road. Sand Dunes is open for day-use only, from a half hour before sunrise to a half-hour before sunset. No camping. Bring plenty of sunscreen and water-- the dunes can get hot, especially in summer.

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