Nevada's Giant Singing Sand Dune Is An Ever-Changing Paradise Landscape For Thrill Seekers

Nevada is in a rare position among top tourism states because the vast majority of its tourism industry is concentrated in one single location. Las Vegas is world-famous as a prime resort destination, thanks to its opulent casinos, luxury hotels, ample entertainment options, and other once-in-a-lifetime indulgences. Of course, even "Sin City" has its hidden gems. For example, Las Vegas' Flamingo Wildlife Habitat provides a tranquil escape from the amped-up energy of the Strip. But Nevada as a whole is much, much bigger than its most famous city. While most of the rest of the state gets overlooked, travelers who step out of Las Vegas can easily find some of the country's most underrated natural wonders — case in point: the stunning Sand Mountain Recreation Area. 

Without even knowing anything about it, the name "Sand Mountain" should give you a good idea of what to expect there. Nevada's deserts are largely known simply as the backdrop to the dramatic contrast of Las Vegas. But as a unique desert environment, Nevada's Great Basin contains amazing desert scenery that rivals anything you would find in Arizona or Utah. Sand Mountain, per its name, is a massive dune set against dramatic desert scenery in the heart of the Nevada wilderness. And while Sand Mountain is certainly gorgeous to look at, it's also an underrated spot for memorable outdoor adventures in a side of Nevada that few ever experience. 

Dunes are the namesake feature of some of America's most unique national parks, like Indiana's Indiana Dunes, Colorado's Great Sand Dunes, and New Mexico's White Sands. You can also find breathtaking dune fields in places like California's Imperial Sand Dunes. But towering dunes are rare enough that a literal "sand mountain" is a truly special sight to behold, and Nevada's Sand Mountain is nothing if not special. Though its exact size is constantly changing, Sand Mountain is generally around 600 feet tall and around 3.5 miles long. The large quantity of sand needed to build such an impressive dune comes courtesy of the ancient Lake Lahontan, which dried up around 9,000 years ago and left massive piles of sand behind. 

As beautiful as Sand Mountain is to look at, it's also beautiful to hear. This is because Sand Mountain consists of something called "singing sand," or sand that produces an audible sound in certain conditions. This phenomenon doesn't happen with just any sand pile. To "sing," sand has to be made up of a specific type of silica; have small, round grains; and have a particular level of humidity. Depending on the conditions, Sand Mountain can produce sounds ranging from a "low-pitched boom" to an eerie "moan" to high-pitched "singing!"

While the Sand Mountain Recreation Area is in the remote Nevada desert, it does have a few notable historic sites as well. Once you've explored the park's singing dune, you can hike over to the nearby Sand Springs Station of the Pony Express National Historic Trail and see authentic ruins from the famed 19th Century Pony Express mail service route!

Huge dunes are great for unique outdoor adventures. Particularly tall specimens like the dunes at Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park are thrilling just to stand on. But you can also enjoy one-of-a-kind thrills like "sand boarding" — essentially snowboarding but on sand. The 600-foot height of Nevada's Sand Mountain gives it the perfect elevation for a thrilling descent on a snowboard or sled, without too much technical climbing or maneuvering involved. 

If you're not keen on making the arduous ascent up 600 feet of loose sand, Sand Mountain is also one of Nevada's top destinations for thrilling off-road adventures. Without any vegetation to worry about, the designated off-road areas at Sand Mountain Recreation Area are perfect for ATVs and dune buggies of all kinds, all while providing magnificent views of the surrounding desert landscape. If you are willing to break more of a sweat, Sand Mountain is also a great place for some incredibly scenic (if challenging) hikes. 

No matter which activity you prefer, access to the Sand Mountain OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) area requires a $40 recreation pass, which will cover one full week at the park. The nearest major city to Sand Mountain is Reno, about an hour and a half drive away, where you can fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport and take advantage of any of the remaining resorts. Immediately next to the park is the small but charming Nevada town of Fallon, which does have ample hotel lodging options for overnight stays. Sand Mountain Recreation Area also allows primitive camping,  and the nearby Lahontan State Recreation Area has more sophisticated campsites if you'd prefer an immersive experience of this unique, overlooked corner of Nevada.