{"id":22277,"date":"2012-05-01T07:00:58","date_gmt":"2012-05-01T12:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=22277"},"modified":"2018-03-06T14:12:58","modified_gmt":"2018-03-06T20:12:58","slug":"summer-vacations-summer-in-the-dunes-5-sandy-trips-you-wont-forget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2012\/05\/summer-vacations-summer-in-the-dunes-5-sandy-trips-you-wont-forget\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer in the dunes: 5 sandy trips you won’t forget"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sands of wonder: Scale the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. Credit: National Park Service.<\/p><\/div>\n

By Erik Torkells<\/em><\/p>\n

Say the word “sand” and most people think of the beach. But you can also have a fantastic time exploring sand dunes — and you don\u2019t have to cross the Atlantic to make like Lawrence of Arabia. Here are five terrific spots for sand dunes in the U.S.A.<\/p>\n

Death Valley National Park, California<\/strong>
\nOf course the other word that \u201csand\u201d brings to mind is \u201cdesert,\u201d and few desertscapes can compete with those in Death Valley. The Mesquite Flat Dunes are conveniently near Stovepipe Wells, or if you\u2019re up for driving on dirt roads, check out the Eureka Dunes. When the sand on the highest dune is totally dry, it\u2019s known to \u201csing,\u201d making a deep thrum as it shifts.
\nWhere to stay: Pahrump, Nevada (especially if you like casinos).<\/p>\n

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado<\/strong>
\nLocated in the south-central part of the state, the 150,000-acre Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the continent\u2019s tallest sand dunes; the tallest, Star Dune, rises 750 feet. Besides hiking, you can go sledding, skiing and sandboarding (and falling isn\u2019t nearly as painful as in snowboarding). Bring a swimsuit and wash the sand off at Medano Creek.
\nWhere to stay: Alamosa, Colo.<\/p>\n

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico<\/strong>
\nThe name says it all: The gypsum sand is as white as snow, and when it crunches under your feet, you\u2019ll swear you\u2019re at a ski resort. The national monument is in the southern part of New Mexico, next to White Sands Missile Range — which means that when missiles are being tested, the park closes (so check the website before you go!).
\nWhere to stay: The funky-hip town of Truth or Consequences to the west or UFO-happy Roswell to the northeast.<\/p>\n

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area<\/strong>
\nThe Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area sits on 40 miles of prime coastline, and the dunes reach up to 500 feet tall. It\u2019s best known for allowing OHVs (off-highway vehicles), but non-motorized activities such as horseback riding and hiking are also plentiful.
\nWhere to stay: The coastal towns of Florence or Bandon.<\/p>\n

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan<\/strong>
\nThere are two main ways to enjoy the dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Take it easy with a seven-mile scenic drive, or get out and hike the dunes. The first plateau is 150 feet up; the second is twice that. If you\u2019re feeling game, attempt the three-to-four-hour trip to the Lake Michigan, where a golden palace filled with chilled beverages awaits — sorry, that was a mirage. But there is<\/em> an overlook.
\nWhere to Stay: Traverse City, a half hour\u2019s drive to the east.<\/p>\n

Wherever you go, a few pieces of advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n