Glamis Flats

The Flats is the central hub of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (Glamis Dunes), the largest sand dune complex in California and the biggest OHV dune area in the US. Located right off Highway 78 near the Glamis Beach Store, this is where Vendor Row sets up during season — food stands, parts, rentals, ice, and firewood in the middle of the desert.

Even without an off-road vehicle, it's worth a stop: the dunes reach up to 300 feet, stretch for over 40 miles, and served as filming locations for Return of the Jedi, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Scorpion King. Watching sand rails and buggies rip through the dunes is a spectacle in itself.

Tips:

• Peak season is October–April; summer heat is extreme
• Holiday weekends (Thanksgiving, Presidents' Day) draw 100,000+ visitors
• Sunrise and sunset light on the dunes is spectacular for photography