BLM Christmas Valley Sand Dunes

The Christmas Valley Sand Dunes are located in central Oregon's high desert region, near the small community of Christmas Valley. They're situated in Lake County, approximately 90 miles southeast of Bend. The dunes are best accessed from the west, with Juniper Camp serving as a convenient base for exploring the area. The BLM manages this unique natural area, which features an extensive dune system in an otherwise arid landscape.

Camping at Christmas Valley Sand Dunes is free, with no designated campsites at Juniper Camp - you can set up anywhere. There are minimal facilities, just one porta-potty serving the entire area, so bringing your own toilet system is recommended. No reservations are required as this is a dispersed camping area on BLM land. Standard BLM regulations apply: pack out all trash, manage campfires responsibly when permitted, and practice Leave No Trace principles. The area can get crowded during peak seasons, especially with off-highway vehicle enthusiasts.

The Christmas Valley Sand Dunes are a popular destination for off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation, with many visitors bringing dune buggies, ATVs, dirt bikes, and other vehicles to ride the expansive sand dunes. Beyond motorized recreation, visitors can enjoy hiking, photography, stargazing in the clear desert skies, wildlife observation, and camping. The unique desert ecosystem offers opportunities for nature appreciation and the stark beauty of Oregon's high desert landscape makes for excellent sunrise and sunset viewing.

The Lost Forest is directly connected to the Christmas Valley Sand Dunes area, accessible via a somewhat rough road from the dunes. This unique ecological feature is an isolated stand of ancient ponderosa pines that somehow survives in the arid high desert environment with minimal annual rainfall. The juxtaposition of forest and sand dunes creates a fascinating ecological study area. Visitors camping at Juniper Camp can explore both environments during their stay, though the access road to Lost Forest can be challenging and may require vehicles with good clearance.