Stretching across the Millard County towns of Holden, McCornick, Oak City, Fillmore, and Leamington, the Sevier Desert sand dunes cover a vast land area, offering some of the country’s best ATV/UTV opportunities. With the Little Sahara Recreation Area in nearby Juab County, you can enjoy an exhilarating day of adventure! This desert playground is an exciting escape from everyday life with expansive sand dunes, trails, and camping spots.
You can spend a day racing up and down the dunes, exploring the unique terrain, or simply basking in the sun in one of Utah’s most thrilling and picturesque locations. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or a nature enthusiast, there’s something for everyone here.
Sandy Escapades in the Sevier Desert
About 12,500 to 20,000 years ago, the Sevier Desert was still submerged by the waters of prehistoric Lake Bonneville. This massive freshwater lake covered much of Utah and parts of Idaho and Nevada. As the lake receded, southwest winds transported exposed deltaic sand, creating the current dune field.Â
Today, these dunes continue to migrate, moving between five to nine feet per year. The windblown sand increases as you move northeast, accumulating due to a rise in elevation and natural bedrock barriers. This landscape makes the Sevier Desert’s dunes a fascinating and ever-changing adventure destination.
How to Get There
GPS COORDINATES:
 |
39.3545° N, 112.4000° W |
 |
Follow Delta’s main street east towards Oak City for approx 4 mile to the intersection. |
 |
Continue going east through the intersection for approx 5 miles. |
 |
The dunes are located on both the north and south sides of the road. |
What to expect & how to prepare
Delta is the closest major town to the Sevier Desert dunes, which has basic amenities such as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and lodging options.
 |
Amenities: While there may be some restrooms nearby, it’s wise to be prepared for minimal amenities. Along the route, some areas exist for camping and picnics. |
 |
What to bring: Remember to bring plenty of water, as the desert can be very dehydrating. Also, pack energy-rich snacks or meals since the area has limited food options. Protect yourself from the intense sun with sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Wear light, breathable clothing suitable for desert conditions, and consider wearing sturdy shoes or hiking boots for walking on the dunes. Additionally, it’s a good idea to bring a basic first aid kit for minor injuries. Don’t forget your ATVs or sandboards for sand sledding! |
 |
How to prepare: Before you head out, check the weather forecast to avoid extreme heat or sudden storms. Know your route and inform someone of your travel plans for safety. |
 |
Leave no trace: Respect the natural environment by packing out all trash and minimizing your impact on the land. |
BEST TIMES TO VISIT
Late spring and early fall are perfect times to visit the dunes. Early morning and evening visits can help you avoid burning sand. The dunes may be too hot to touch in summer.
Big Adventures in Little Sahara
While not technically part of Millard County, Little Sahara Sand Dunes is a major attraction in the northeastern part of the Sevier Desert and conveniently accessible from your lodging base in Delta. The area is about 12 miles long (north to south) and 10 miles wide (east to west). Little Sahara lies within the northern half of one of Utah’s largest dune fields (about 220 square miles) and contains both actively forming or migrating dunes and plant-stabilized dunes.Â
Administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Little Sahara Recreation Area is mostly devoted to off-road vehicle use. The area provides various riding options; with nearly 60,000 acres of dunes, trail, and sagebrush flats, the opportunities are endless. This extensive sand dune area offers exciting exploration across the following sites:
- Sand Mountain: A wall of sand climbing nearly 700 feet high provides the ultimate challenge. This is the prime-time focal point for hill climbing.
- White Sand Dunes: Easy access to dunes and plentiful riding bowls attract riders of all abilities to this spot on the north end of the recreation area. This sand is soft and deep, so enter at your own risk.
- Dunes Southwest of Black Mountain: Low-lying dunes and a network of dirt trails provide suitable terrain for beginners or those who just want to escape the crowds.
- Camping White Sands: Campsites nestled among the juniper and immediate access to dunes make this a popular destination. There are 99 campsites, flush toilets (vault in winter), drinking water, and a fenced play area.Â
The Rockwell Natural Area, located in the northwest corner of Little Sahara, is a 14-square-mile section off-limits to vehicles to preserve and shelter desert plants and animals.
How to Get There
GPS COORDINATES:
|
39.6894° N, 112.3517° W27020 W Sand Mountain Road, Eureka, Utah 84628 |
Little Sahara is located about 38 miles from Delta in Juab County. If you head out from Delta (North):
|
Continue on US 6 for 34 miles. |
|
Little Sahara’s entrance is located just 4 miles west of Jericho Junction. |
What to expect & how to prepare
The Little Sahara Recreation area is one of the few in Utah that’s totally devoted to the OHV recreational sport. The whole recreation site is a giant designated riding area. It will take only moments after arriving at the dunes that you’ll feel thankful you have a whip flag on your machine to make you visible to your fellow recreationists — they’ll come at you from every direction!
|
What to bring: In addition to what you’d bring to the Sevier Desert dunes (above), you should also bring your riding and camping gear to Little Sahara, as there are more opportunities for ATVing and camping in this area. Don’t forget your helmet so you can off-road safely. |
 |
What to do: The sand dunes of Little Sahara provide fun opportunities for climbing, ATVing, fat-biking, sandboarding/skiing, and wildlife viewing. Play sand areas are available for children. |
|
Amenities: Little Sahara provides 255 campsites with 40 flush/vault toilets, two water sources, a dump station, and 16 paved roads for easy access. Campsites are located across four separate campgrounds: Jericho, White Sands, Oasis, and Sand Mountain. Check if you need to book in advance, and bring cash or a credit card in case there are entrance or usage fees. You can also find a visitor’s center and dispersed camping outside these areas. |
 |
Admission: Day passes and annual permits can be purchased at recreation.gov or in person at the visitor’s center. Discounts are available for seniors and active military. |
BEST TIMES TO VISIT
The recreation area is open year-round. The busiest time to visit is in the spring, as the summer heat can be somewhat stifling.
