North America is known for its mountains, rivers, and lakes. However, it’s also home to some incredible sand dunes. While the majority of the sand dunes lie in the United States, Canada, and Mexico each have an entry on this list, too!
Discover 14 of the tallest sand dunes in North America below, located all over the regions of North America. Whereas some sit in deserts, others are directly along lakes and rivers. Surely, the diversity of North America’s geography is truly astonishing. Let’s dive in!
9. Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park
The sand dunes lie at the edge of Lake Athabasca. Pictured, you’ll see the Athabasca River flowing through the beautiful mountain range nearby.
©Samsaphotos/iStock via Getty Images
There are quite a few sand dunes that come in at a height of 100 feet, but in the spirit of including a Canadian sand dune on the list, the Athabasca Sand Dune is featured in the ninth-place spot. Located in Saskatchewan, Canada, the tallest dune at Athabasca reaches 100 feet into the air.
8. Samalayuca Dune Fields
The Samalayuca Dune Fields can be found in the state of
Chihuahua
.
©abriendomundo/iStock via Getty Images
The only entry on this list that is in Mexico is the Samalayuca Dune Fields. These beautiful dunes are located to the south of Ciudad Juarez and reach heights of 165 feet into the air. They’re a beautiful spot to visit, considered a secret beauty of Mexico!
7. Imperial Sand Dunes
The Imperial Sand Dunes are Hollywood stars, serving as the set for a few scenes of
Star Wars Episode VI.
©Larry Barrett/Shutterstock.com
The seventh-tallest sand dunes in North America are some of the most beautiful, located in southeast California. The Imperial Sand Dunes boast heights of around 300 feet. It’s easy to access the park from San Diego, making it a convenient and gorgeous stop.
6. Dumont Dunes
While these dunes aren’t the tallest on the continent, they have a reputation for being some of the steepest. So if you’re headed to the Dumont Dunes, use caution!
©wdalton/iStock via Getty Images
Located in Baker, California are the sixth-tallest sand dunes in North America: Dumont Dunes. The tallest dune at Dumont Dunes, Competition Hill, is 450 feet in height, reaching a total elevation of 1,200 feet above sea level.
5. Sleeping Bear Dunes
There’s a lot to do at Sleeping Bear Dunes besides exploring the sand! Go for a swim or a hike around the area.
©Craig Sterken/Shutterstock.com
The fifth-place spot for the tallest sand dune in North America is actually in Michigan, right next to Lake Michigan! Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has peaks that reach 460 feet into the air. It’s truly an astonishing sight right next to the water.
4. Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park
Bruneau Sand Dunes is only an hour south of Boise, making it an easy trip from the big city!
©James St. John / CC BY 2.0 - License
The fourth-tallest sand dunes located in North America can be found in Idaho at Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park. The dune at this state park reaches 470 feet, and it’s the tallest single-structured sand dune on the continent.
3. Oregon Dunes
There are a lot of ways to enjoy the Oregon Dunes, including paddling, OHV riding, sandboarding, and more. There’s also a campground available!
©Rebecca Kennison / Creative Commons - License
Located in Reedsport, Oregon you’ll find the third-tallest sand dunes in North America. The tallest sand dune at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, called Banshee Hill, is around 500 feet tall! All in all, Oregon boasts some seriously impressive dunes.
2. Kelso Dunes
These dunes are located in a desert. Subsequently, it’s recommended that you check out the dunes during the winter and early spring because the desert can get extremely hot!
©Brenda Fitz/Shutterstock.com
The second-tallest dunes in North America can be found in the Mojave National Preserve in California, USA. These are the Kelso Dunes, which reach an astonishing height of around 600 feet.
1. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Snow melts around the dunes, creating an incredible visual effect.
©Steve Gadomski/Shutterstock.com
Finally, the tallest sand dunes in North America can be found at the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Mosca, Colorado. Accordingly, these sand dunes reach well over 700 feet into the sky, creating an awesome opportunity for sandboarding!
Summary of the Tallest Sand Dunes in North America
Located in Mexico and the United States, the nine tallest sand dunes in North America are extremely beautiful. Sprinkled all over the continent, these dunes are amazing places to play and explore. Here’s a summary of the tallest sand dunes in North America:
| Sand Dune | Location | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Colorado, USA | 750 feet |
| Kelso Dunes | California, USA | 600 feet |
| Oregon Dunes | Oregon, USA | 500 feet |
| Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park | Idaho, USA | 470 feet |
| Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore | Michigan, USA | 460 feet |
| Dumont Dunes | California, USA | 450 feet |
| Imperial Dunes | California. USA | 300 feet |
| Samalayuca Dune Fields | Chihuahua, Mexico | 165 feet |
| Athabasca Dunes Provincial Park | Saskatchewan, Canada | 100 feet |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Go2dim/Shutterstock.com
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