Guide
About this area
About 3,000 acres of open dune north-west of Tonopah in central Nevada, with the tallest faces reaching 300 feet. Free to ride, free to camp, and completely unserviced — there is nothing out here at all.
Crescent Sand Dunes
3,000 acres and 300-foot faces
LocationNye County, Nevada — north-west of Tonopah off US-6 / US-95
Entry points1 verified
SizeAbout 3,000 acres, tallest dunes up to 300 feet
Conditions75° · 21 mph
Trip check
Before you go
- No permit required.
- Soft, deep sand around the edges traps heavy vehicles. Motorhomes and loaded tow rigs get stuck at the margins before they ever reach firm ground, scout where you park before you commit the weight.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Best season
- Autumn through spring — central Nevada summers are brutal and exposed
- Managing agency
- BLM Tonopah Field Office
- Permit status
- No permit required
Access
Getting there
-
Main staging area — via Poleline RoadEntrance
From Tonopah head west/north-west on US-6 W / US-95 N. Turn RIGHT onto Poleline Road, between mile markers 54 and 55. Follow it about 9 miles, then turn LEFT onto a 2-mile unimproved dirt road which runs to the main staging and unloading area.
Verified by Full Throttle Trader
Rules
Rules
Specific to Crescent Sand Dunes
- Non-residents get 15 days on your home-state OHV registration or decal. Past 15 days you must buy a Nevada OHV registration, around $20.
- OHVs from 1976 onward must be registered.
- Free to ride and free to camp, dispersed camping only, and there are no facilities of any kind.
- Source: BLM Tonopah Field Office on 775-482-7800 or the Nevada OHV Program — www.blm.gov
Show all 5 area-specific rules
- 🪖 Helmet required for everyone on a straddled OHV.
Standard OHV rules (2)
Common equipment, registration and trail-use rules still apply.
- Ride to the highest safety standard, not the legal minimum. A helmet, eye protection, a flag and proper gear are what get you home.
- 🗺️ BLM publish free georeferenced PDF maps that show your live GPS position with no cell service, download the map for this area before you leave tarmac.
Trip support
Fuel, food & local help
Pump gas & diesel
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🔴 LAST FUEL — Love's Travel Stop, Tonopah — OPEN 24 HOURSfuel
More
THE ONLY APPROACH — about 15 miles out · OPEN 24 HOURS, and room for a rig. This is the last fuel before the dunes — roughly 15 miles of nothing after it, the final 2 of them on unimproved dirt. Fill everything here. · 1170 US Hwy-95, Tonopah, NV 89049
Food & local services
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🔴 NO FACILITIES AT ALLservices
More
There are no toilets, no water, no shade and no designated campsites. Dispersed camping is free but you bring everything, including every drop of water, and you pack out all of it.
Marketplace
Rigs and vehicles
Elsewhere
These listings are not nearby and their sellers have not said they ride here.
$25,000
2014 MB 5 Seat Sand Rail
StandardUsed
2014 MB 5-Seat Long Travel Sand Rail Clean, well-built 5-seat long travel sand rail with a great combination of performance, reliability,...
Dune Buggy6 days ago
$7,000
Polaris RZR 200 EFI
StandardUsed
FOR SALE: 2025 Polaris RZR 200 EFI – 50 Hours $7000.00 Excellent RZR 200 EFI with only 50 hours. Well set up, runs great, and has a ton o...
SXS/UTV6 days ago
$45,000
2 seat Potter Sandcar LS2/2d
StandardUsed
This has been a great car! Got it in 2015-2016 Potter is still in business, had someone call them recently and ask about a 930 to 934 conve...
Dune Buggy2 weeks ago
Show more
$4,000
J&J aluminum sand car
StandardUsed
Aluminum A-arm J&J sand car with bench seat. Recently rewired, new Tach, console and gauges, rear disk brakes. Trans has close ratio gears...
Dune Buggy2 weeks ago
$16,000
2008 Sand Limo Squirt
StandardUsed
2008 Sand Limo Squirt sand car NO TRADES! I can help with delivery to ID, CA and NV $16K -Powered by a 2.2 Ecotec motor from CBM w...
Sand Cars1 month ago
$57,000
2024 Can-Am Maverick R XRS
StandardUsed
2024 Can-Am Maverick R EVO E85 setup (pump, tubes, exhaust etc) TMW shorty cage TMW Bumper Triple R Lights (bumper, hood, pillar, light ...
SXS/UTV1 month ago
Agency & verification
Managing agency
BLM Tonopah Field Office
775-482-7800Ranger station official pageBLM Tonopah Field Office official page (current closures & alerts)
Area information is informational only and may be inaccurate or out of date. Verify access, weather, closures, permits and hazards before and during any trip. See Terms.