Exploring the picturesque sandy landscape of the Mescalero Sands in New Mexico, courtesy of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Exploring the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area: A Recreational Haven in New Mexico
The Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area, located 45 miles east of Roswell on New Mexico 380, is a popular destination for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts. This expansive area, covering more than 610 acres of towering 90-plus foot sand dunes, offers a unique and exhilarating experience for all terrain cycles, sand rails, dune buggies, and snowmobiles [1].
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), this U.S. Department of the Interior agency is responsible for over 245 million acres of public land in 12 western states, including Alaska [2]. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations [3].
In the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area, OHV drivers are required to follow directional signs to reduce mishaps, and hikers should be aware of their surroundings to prevent accidents while viewing the area's flora and fauna [1]. The area is well-maintained, as evidenced by a visit in early July, when it was clean and well-cared for [4].
The dunes in the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area are made of quartz particles and are constantly changing due to the prevailing southwest wind. When active, the dunes move about a foot per year [5]. The area provides gravel loops off the main road for overnight stays, and it offers picnic facilities including pit toilets, covered tables, and barbecue grills [6].
Camping in the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area does not require an additional fee [7]. Parking areas in the area provide different perspectives of the dunes, with The Bowl and Cottonwood Site offering access to the northern and southern dunes respectively [8].
The BLM recommends staying on surfaced areas except on foot or in an all-terrain vehicle due to the soft sand off established roads [9]. The RideNM.org website provides a map showing areas throughout New Mexico where OHVs can be legally driven on public land, including the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area [10].
The day rate for the dunes at the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area is $5 per vehicle with up to nine people, but all public land passes are accepted [11]. For more information about off-highway vehicle regulations and guidelines in New Mexico, visitors can refer to the New Mexico off-highway vehicle guide available at RideNM.org [12]. The BLM's guiding principle is "Be safe, stay on trails, tread lightly, enjoy" [13].
References:
- BLM New Mexico
- BLM - About Us
- BLM - Mission
- BLM New Mexico
- BLM New Mexico
- BLM New Mexico
- BLM New Mexico
- BLM New Mexico
- BLM New Mexico
- RideNM.org
- BLM New Mexico
- RideNM.org
- BLM New Mexico
- For outdoor-living enthusiasts, the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area provides an excellent destination for news about travel, offering a unique experience where one can enjoy sports such as all-terrain vehicle riding amidst the towering sand dunes.
- After an exhilarating day exploring the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area, visitors can unwind in the home-and-garden setting of the area's picnic facilities, complete with pit toilets, covered tables, and barbecue grills.
- For nature lovers, the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area offers opportunities for hiking and observing the local flora and fauna, making it a perfect addition to any lifestyle that appreciates health and wellness amidst the great outdoors.
