Be sure the dunes you plan to visit match the kind of activity you have in mind, thereby avoiding trouble and possible fines from park rangers or land managers. Although development has claimed most of the sand dunes that used to be common in the Las Vegas Valley, one fine sandy area has been set aside as the Las Vegas Dunes Recreation Area. North of Nellis Air Force Base and east of Interstate 15, the area may be reached via U.S. Highway 93 or Interstate 15 to the Apex exit, then south two miles to a pipeline road that provides several routes of access to the dunes. The region is popular with off-roaders for dune buggies, motorcycles and other vehicles. All sand dune regions found within Lake Mead National Recreation Area are off-limits to motorized vehicles, but hikers and horseback riders are welcome.
Vehicular use is limited to designated roads.
The same is true of Valley of Fire State Park, where the red sand dunes are delightful. Vehicles are welcome in a red sand region north of Valley of Fire, where multiuse trails have been developed through cooperation with land managers and organizations representing hikers, rock climbers, horseback riders and off-roaders. This region is accessible by a graded side road from Logandale. Inquire locally for specific directions. The Amargosa Dunes, sometimes called simply Big Dunes, are open to all users.