About
Active dune fields are rare in the Mojave Desert. Some relatively small fields occur in the valleys around Death Valley, such as Eureka Dunes and in Death Valley itself. The biggest dune fields are Kelso Dunes, in the Mojave National Preserve near Baker, and Algodones Dunes far to the south near the Salton Sea. Both of these cover more than 40 square miles. But a smaller and even more remote dune field lies between these behemoths: the Cadiz Dunes. Named for an old stop on the Santa Fe Railroad (now part of the BNSF system), these dunes lie south of Amboy on the unpaved Cadiz Road off old Route 66.
The Cadiz Dunes are now the centerpiece of an eponymous wilderness area—a designation it earned in 1994. The source of the sand is Cadiz Dry Lake just to the south, but Cadiz Dunes and Dry Lake also lie in an east-west sand transport corridor that was active in the recent geologic past.
Unlike many other Mojave dune fields, Cadiz Dunes don’t permit motorized activity. That—and its remote location—is why its environment is astonishingly pristine. You can freely climb on the dunes, and walk wherever you wish, enjoying the desert silence without having to worry about being run over, and soaking up the flavor of the desert as it was in the old days.
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Know Before You Go
From old US 66 (California State Route 66, the National Trails Highway) turn south onto Cadiz Road from the hamlet of Chambless, about 11.4 miles east of Amboy. Cadiz Road at first is paved; follow it about 4.4 miles to a railroad crossing. This is the main line of the BNSF Railway and is very busy; beware of trains!
It is now 8.8 miles from the railroad crossing to the turnoff to the dunes, which is well-marked by a sign. After the railroad crossing Cadiz Road becomes graded and rough, with washouts common. High clearance is required and 4wd may be appreciated. At the junction turn right (west) toward the dunes, which will be clearly visible ahead; it is then about 2.8 miles to the trailhead parking. Four-wheel drive is definitely required on the access road due to long sandy stretches. The road dead-ends at the trailhead, which is unpaved but not sandy.
The area is extremely remote and cell service is spotty. Be sure to fuel up beforehand (as of this writing, the nearest filling station is in Amboy) and have a spare tire. You may well have the dunes all to yourself, especially on a weekday--but by the same token, help is likely to be far away if you do have a breakdown.
Be sure also to bring plenty of water. Hiking the dunes in the summer, when temperatures can exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit (nearly 50 degrees Celsius) is not recommended.
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Published
June 3, 2025
