Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle Area

More than 610 acres of towering 90+ foot sand dunes await your enjoyment in the Mescalero Sands North Dune Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area. The dune field stretches over most of the area and lends itself well to all terrain cycles, sand rails and dune buggies. The dunes are made up of quartz particles and are constantly changing due to the prevailing southwest wind. When the dunes are active, they move about a foot per year.

Among the biggest surprises in the area are the mature cottonwood trees. The combination of a very shallow water table and the sand's capacity to hold water allows these trees to thrive in an arid environment.

While the road into Mescalero Sands is capable of supporting cars, trucks and buses, the soft sand off established roads and parking lots is not. BLM does not recommend leaving the surfaced areas in any vehicle other than an all-terrain vehicle.

The Bowl Parking Area provides access to the northern portion of the dunes, which includes the "Bowl." The Bowl is a large depression surrounded by dunes. The Cottonwood Site provides access to the southern portion of the dunes. Trails connect both portions of the dunes.

Purchase activity passes

 

Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)

The Mescalero Sands North Dune OHV Area does not have any accessible facilities or much area information. However, visitors can access it by vehicle and explore it via OHV use. Visitors must be able to drive the graveled and dirt road, transition into an OHV, and navigate the shifting dunes plus other OHV users on the dunes.   

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Fees  

  • Individual -- $3 

  • Vehicle (two or more people) -- $5 

  • RV camping is allowed in the north, middle, and south parking lots. Dispersed camping is allowed in the dunes away from the parking lots, but these areas can only be accessed by machines designed to go in soft sand. 

  • Bus (more than 15 people) -- $15 

Facilities 

  • There is no potable water at this site.  

  • There is a picnic table and shelter at the Bowl Parking Area.  

  • There are two more shelters in the middle parking area. 

  • The Cottonwood Site has three shelters equipped with picnic table and grills.  

  • The restroom is also located at the Cottonwood site.   

Nearby Amenities 

  • The nearest location to acquire food and gas is roughly 35 miles away via U.S. Route 380 East in Tatum, N.M.  

  • Alternatively, one can travel 38 miles via U.S. Route 380 West to Roswell, N.M.  

Season/Hours 

  • Open year-round. 

Special Rules  

  • Pets must be on a 6-foot leash. 

  • Please make sure to carry out any litter.   

  • No fireworks, discharge or use of firearms, or any other weapons.  

  • No hunting.  

  • The area is considered "open," with no trail restrictions. 

BROCHURES, MAPS, AND PUBLICATIONS 

  • N/A 

Wildlife in Area  

  •  N/A 

Phone

575-627-0272

Email

BLM_NM_PDO_Mail@blm.gov

Activities

The letters OHV
OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE
Iconograph of two tents sites and a pine tree.
CAMPING AREA
Iconograph of a tent.
DISPERSED CAMPING
Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph of a camera
PHOTOGRAPHY
Iconograph of a picnic table
PICNICKING
Iconograph of a telescope and stars.
STARGAZING
Iconograph of binoculars
WILDLIFE VIEWING

Addresses

Roswell Field Office
2909 West Second Street
Roswell
New Mexico
88201

Geographic Coordinates

33.4160631,, -103.8699523

Directions

From Roswell, travel east 45 miles on US 380 and turn south at the sign. From Tatum, travel west 27 miles on US 380.

Fees

Yes

Stay Limit

14 Days