Part of ATV and Overland Trails, our guide to ATV, OHV and overland riding in San Diego County.
Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area is BLM land in Imperial County, not San Diego County, but it is the nearest large dune area. Permits are required October 1 through April 15: $55 per week in advance, $70 onsite, or $185 for the season. The North Algodones Dunes Wilderness is closed to all vehicles.Checked October 23, 2026.
What It Is
BLM calls it the largest mass of sand dunes in the state. Open areas allow all types of vehicle recreation, limited areas require designated routes, and closed areas prohibit motor vehicles. The North Algodones Dunes Wilderness (26,000+ acres) is closed to all vehicles.
Gecko Campground
The page calls Gecko “the largest campground in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area,” with north and south paved loops and numerous vault toilets. Its fee, stay-limit and reservation fields were blank on the page, so we state none.
Before You Go
Read BLM’s rules page and see OHV Rules and Permits for California stickers.
What We Could Not Verify
- The map point is Gecko Campground, the only coordinate on the BLM pages, not the whole recreation area.
- Ranger station hours, campground fees, Gecko stay limits and reservations, and today’s closures are not confirmed. The BLM El Centro Field Office can confirm.
- Ages and suitability for kids are not stated by BLM.
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FAQ
Is this in San Diego County?
No. It is in Imperial County, included because it is the nearest large dune OHV area.
When are permits needed?
October 1 through April 15 each year.
Sources
Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.