Kelso Dunes Trail — Attraction in Baker

I've been on this hike multiple times. Every time it's been a bit of a challenge. It's that one step up is two steps down type of sand. I suggest you go early in the morning while it's still quite brisk out and the sun is just only rising. If you go mid day or any later the heat may be my too extreme depending on the time of year. Bring sunblock and sunglasses cuz the reflection of the sand can be much. Also if you're planning on going just know sand gets everywhere and I mean everywhere. I know this hike is hard but trust it'll be worth it. Try and get all the way to the top if you can. One it'll made your trip down so much faster and two it'll be so much more fun. Kelso sand dunes are booming sand dunes. Once you get to the top just jump straight down the ridge. Trust it's so fun, some people bring sleds and other stuff to slide down but just simply jumping works. The sand underneath you will start to sound the the ground is grumbling beneath you and is mainly only experienced while jumping. Don't be alarmed it's just the sand moving around. It's quite fun. You can run, jump, slide, walk. Either way it's an experience you won't forget and is so worth all the effort you took too get to the top I promise. The only thing I can tell you that would really be annoying is that even weeks later you'll still be shaking sand...

The turn off sign isn’t huge, so make sure you listen to your google maps :) I also recommend downloading maps offline as there is no reception. There is a building and you get happy because you think you can use a bathroom... then you learn it’s locked bc covid (Urgh), so come prepared with a stand up thingy (if you’re a chick) or to pop a squat. That’s the only negative I had really. The dunes are close yet so far! Bring more water than you think you’ll need. We did successful sandboarding, on the mini hills before the huge dunes since we didn’t want to hike all that way. It was extremely hot, so be ready for that. The ride in from the main road is bumpy so if you have a normal sedan take it easy and I drove in the middle, unless a car was coming, then I scooted over. *sand boarding tip, maybe sled too, use a white candle for the wax to make it easy to slide down, really...

Definitely a leg workout. An awesome place to catch a sunset or on a moonless night to see the milky way, as you'll be in dark sky territory. Bring water, expect a 90 minute hike if you're attempting to get to the summit. The walk down is much faster...even more so if you bring a sled with you.

It might be wise to drop a pin where your car is. It helps if you're out past sunset and not sure sure the exact way to get back to your side of the parking lot (the lot isn't huge but there aren't any lights and you don't want to veer too far left or right of the lot). Be aware that there IS ZERO CELL SERVICE in this area.

Coming off the highway, the road to the dunes is about a 1.5 mile road that's very bumpy. There are grooves cut into the road like the warning grooves on the shoulder of the highway. Low clearance cars won't have a problem...