Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Area

More than 800 acres of fun is waiting for off-road enthusiasts at the Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area south of Farmington. The off-highway vehicle area contains a wide variety of topography including large sand dunes, steep to gentle hillsides, and sandy arroyo bottoms. Innumerable roads and trails exist in the Dunes, created by nearly 40 years of off-road vehicle use. The diverse landscape attracts a variety of motorized activity and provides riders a place to play, test their endurance, and improve their skills.

Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)

  • The OHV area is an undeveloped recreation space. As a result, this area is fairly remote, has scarce services, and has no facilities or trails which makes most of the area inaccessible unfortunately.   

    • To navigate these trails; visitors must be able to drive or ride in an OHV across several miles across of technical terrain, including sand, up and downhill curves, rocks of various sizes, and share the area with other OHV users moving at various speeds.  

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Fees 

  • None. 

Facilities  

  • There are no restrooms or potable water available at any of these sites. 

  • The Dunes OHV Area is an open OHV area, visitors may recreate and pull-off to park wherever but do so at their own risk, as there are no BLM-maintained trails or parking facilities.  

Nearby Amenities  

  • The nearest location to obtain gas, food, and water is in Farmington, 2 miles away via NM-371 N. 

Season/Hours  

  • Open year-round.  

    • The road may become impassible in bad weather.  

    • Recreation area may be closed to the public for short periods during authorized events. 

Special Rules  

  • Ride only in areas open for use; private property and tribal lands are adjacent to the Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area. Be a responsible user and stay within the boundaries of the recreation area.  

  • Permits are required for commercial, competitive and organized group events.  

  • Active gas wells exist in the Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area.  

  • Be safe and stay away from well pads, pipelines, and oilfield equipment. Watch for traffic and heavy trucks.  

  • Firewood gathering is prohibited.  

  • Pets must be on a 6-foot leash, and their waste disposed of. 

  • No fireworks, discharge or use of firearms, or any other weapons in the OHV area. 

  • Practice Leave No Trace. Please make sure to carry out or dispose of any litter.   

BROCHURES, MAPS, AND PUBLICATIONS 

  • N/A 

Wildlife in Area  

  • N/A   

Phone

505-564-7600

Email

blm_nm_comments@blm.gov

Activities

The letters OHV
OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE
Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph of a camera
PHOTOGRAPHY
Iconograph of binoculars
WILDLIFE VIEWING

Addresses

Farmington Field Office
6251 College Blvd A
Farmington
New Mexico
87402

Geographic Coordinates

36.707837, -108.237546

Directions

The Dunes Vehicle Recreation Area is about 1.5 miles south of the City of Farmington on NM 371.

Fees

No

Stay Limit

14 Days