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  • Veterans Weekend at Dumont Dunes

    Before Thanksgiving gets here, there’s another weekend worth putting on your dune calendar! Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11 this year, but Friends of Dumont Dunes’ annual Veterans Day Flag Run is scheduled for Saturday, November 14. Make a weekend of it November 13–15, enjoy some dune runs, and take a little time to honor those who have served.
    A More Laid-Back Weekend
    Veterans Weekend typically has more of an off-weekend feel at Dumont. Think smaller crowds, room to spread out at camp, and evenings around the fire with friends. If you enjoy a quieter trip between the big Halloween and Thanksgiving weekends, this is a good one to keep in mind.
    Friends of Dumont Dunes Flag Run
    Bring your American flags and show your support for our veterans!
    The flag run traditionally gathers at Vendor Row before heading to Veterans Hill, near the swingset, for a flag-raising ceremony.
    Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
    Meeting time: To be announced!
    Watch for the final meeting time and any updated ride details from Friends of Dumont Dunes as the weekend gets closer.
    No Holiday Pass Required
    Although we call it Veterans Weekend, November 13–15 is not a designated holiday pass period at Dumont. A regular $30 non-holiday weekly pass or a valid Dumont season pass covers the weekend. An entrance pass is still required.
    View Dumont pass information and purchasing options
    Pack your flags, bring some firewood, and enjoy a relaxed weekend in the sand. To all our veterans, thank you for your service! 

    Thanksgiving Weekend 2026 at Dumont Dunes

    Halloween is behind us, and Thanksgiving weekend is next! November 26–29, 2026 means another long weekend of dune runs, campfires, turkey dinners, and hanging out with friends and family at Dumont.
    Thanksgiving still draws a decent crowd, but it usually isn’t quite as crazy as Halloween. The weekend has more of a family atmosphere, with duners spending their days riding together and their evenings sharing food and hanging out around the campfire.
    Whether you’re heading out early for the whole week or squeezing in a few days, there’s something pretty hard to beat about Thanksgiving dinner at camp after a day in the sand.
    For many families, cooking Thanksgiving dinner at Dumont is part of the tradition. From deep-fried turkeys to everyone bringing a favorite side dish, camps find plenty of ways to put together a full feast out in the desert. It’s a good excuse to slow down, enjoy camp, and spend a little extra time with your people.
    Waterpumpers: Dune Masters & Sandpipers
    The waterpumpers are a longtime Thanksgiving tradition at Dumont. These V8-powered buggies bring a little old-school dune history to the weekend, with drag racing and hill climbs that are always worth checking out.
     

    Hill Climbs: Slowest to the Top Wins
    The hill climbs aren’t about who can get to the top the fastest: it’s just the opposite! The goal is to be the last one to reach the top without stopping. On the steep side of Comp Hill, that’s harder than it sounds. Go too slowly and the paddle tires dig in, sinking the buggy into the sand. Give it too much throttle and you climb faster than you want to. It takes careful throttle control and a well-built machine with the right combination of power, gearing, and traction to keep crawling uphill while outlasting the other racers.

     
    More than anything, the waterpumper tradition is about nostalgia. It’s a connection to the early days of Dumont, when these V8-powered buggies helped shape the dune scene. Seeing them line up again brings back memories for longtime duners and gives newer generations a look at a tradition that families have kept going for decades.
    Friday & Saturday Schedule
    FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27
    10 a.m. Drag Races
    Back stretch of Sand Highway heading toward the North Pole.
    SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28
    10 a.m. Hill Climbs
    Steep, left side of Comp Hill.
    Racing is open to club members only, but everyone is welcome to come watch!
    Getting Ready for the Trip
    Make sure your entrance pass includes holidays, get the toys ready, and leave room for the turkey! Before heading out, check DDR’s weather page and nearby services directory for help planning your trip.
    If you’re making a longer stay out of it, plan ahead for fuel, water, propane, and everything you’ll need for Thanksgiving dinner. Bring warm layers for evenings at camp, and browse our Vendor Row directory for food, parts, and supplies.
    Take care of the dunes, pack out your trash, and keep an eye out for each other during the busy weekend.
    Who’s spending Thanksgiving in the sand? Share your plans in the comments, and post your photos and trip reports when you get back!

    Explore What's New with DDR for the 26-27 Dune Season!

    The dunes are calling, and DDR is ready for another season! We've been busy behind the scenes giving Dumont Dune Riders some much-needed attention for the 2026–2027 dune season. From server and software upgrades to improvements throughout the website, there's plenty that's new and improved!
    YOUR DUMONT TRIP STARTS HERE Explore the Improved Dumont Guide
    Everything you need to plan your next Dumont trip, all in one place!
    Directions Camping FAQs Facts & Info Landmarks Maps Rules Passes Services Vendor Row Weather Photo Gallery What's New & Improved?
    🌤️ Dumont Weather
    Check our upgraded 14-day forecast with hourly predictions, wind speeds, gusts, and more before your next trip.
    Check the Forecast → 🔧 Services Directory
    Need fuel, water, RV dumping, repairs, recovery, or supplies? Find useful services near Dumont in our expanded directory.
    Find Services → 🛒 Vendor Row
    Find food, ice, parts, and supplies from Dumont vendors. We're expanding the directory and welcome additional vendor listings!
    Explore Vendor Row → 🤘 It's All About the Dumont Community!

    DDR is more than just a website! Share your trip reports, photos, builds, and questions in our forums, browse the gallery, and stay connected with other duners.
    Explore DDR → Visit the Forums → See You in the Dunes! 🤘
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  • Upcoming Events

    • Veterans Day Flag Run
      14 November 2026
      0  
      Friends of Dumont Dunes will be holding their annual Veterans Day Flag Run on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
       
      The group traditionally gathers at Vendor Row before heading to Veterans Hill (the swingset) to honor our veterans.
      Bring your American flags and come show your support!
       
      This year’s meetup time, location, and ride details are still to be announced. We’ll update this listing once FODD shares more information.
    • Thanksgiving Weekend
      26 November 2026 Until 29 November 2026
      0  
      Spend Thanksgiving weekend at Dumont Dunes, November 26–29, 2026! Expect a decent crowd with a more relaxed, family atmosphere than Halloween: plenty of dune runs, Thanksgiving dinners at camp, and evenings around the fire.
       
      Dune Masters & Sandpipers Waterpumper Schedule
      Friday, November 27, 10 a.m.: Drag races on the back stretch of Sand Highway heading toward the North Pole. Saturday, November 28, 10 a.m.: Hill climbs on the steep, left side of Comp Hill. The goal is to be the last one to the top without stopping! Racing is open to club members only, but everyone is welcome to watch.
       
      A pass that includes holidays is required. Check Dumont weather and our nearby services directory before heading out.
       

    • Santa Day and Toy Drive
      28 November 2026
      0  
      Friends of Dumont Dunes hosts the Santa Day and Toy Drive Saturday November 28th. More details to come.
       
       
    • Buggy Roundup 14
      10 December 2026 Until 13 December 2026
      0  
      SAVE THE DATE! Buggy Roundup 14 – December 10–13, 2026!
       
      Get ready for another epic weekend at Dumont Dunes! Four days of sandcars, dune runs, campfires, good friends, and great times in the sand. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!
    • Dumont Dunes Cleanup
      13 March 2027 04:00 PM Until 09:00 PM
      0  
      Friends of Dumont Dunes hosts the annual cleanup! Starts at 8AM. More details to come. 

  • Popular Topics

  • Dune Smarts

    A few things worth remembering before you hit the sand

    🚩 Fly That Flag

    Keep your whip flag tall and visible. It's often the first thing another rider sees as you approach the crest of a dune.

    🏜️ Never Blind-Crest a Dune

    Slow down near the top. A steep drop, another rider, or a razorback could be waiting on the other side.

    🌬️ Watch the Wind

    Wind can erase tracks, reshape dune faces, and create sharp drop-offs overnight. Yesterday's familiar line may look completely different today.

    📍 Know Your Way Back

    Save your camp location before leaving. A GPS waypoint can make finding camp much easier after dark or when visibility drops.

    🔧 Carry the Essentials

    Bring water, basic tools, a tow strap, and a way to communicate. Don't count on cell service everywhere in the dunes.

    🤝 Don't Ride Alone

    Ride with a buddy when possible and let someone know your route. A mechanical problem miles from camp can turn into a long walk.

    Ride smart. Watch out for each other. Keep Dumont fun.

  • Lost & Found

  • Dumont Dunes Weather

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    Dumont forecast • Open-Meteo

    Desert Bling on Vendor Row

    Desert Bling - Halloween 2026

    Benco Racing

    Benco Racing - Performance transmissions

    Dumont Passes

    Dumont Dunes passes - Purchase online
    Pass prices, purchase options and vendor locations.
    View Pass Information →

    Dumont Visitor Guide

    Dumont Dunes Visitor Guide - Maps, camping, weather and services
    Everything you need to plan your next trip to Dumont. Camping, maps, weather, services and more.
    Explore the Visitor Guide →

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