dunefreak

With dune season approaching during this COVID-19 pandemic, questions are on the rise as well as the rumors. Everyone is eager to get back out to the sand and they're gearing up for Halloween weekend. But many of you have concerns. Will Dumont be open? Will there be a Vendor Row? Some people heard rumors that Dumont is closed for Halloween. We spoke with the BLM and they confirmed Dumont is still open. Dumont passes: You can soon buy your season pass from vendors who sell them. The passes are being distributed to them this month (Sept). You can find a list of those vendors on our passes page. Weekly passes can be purchased on site via the fee machines with a credit card. Although the Barstow public room is remains closed to the public, a telephone message can be left at 760-252-6000 stating desire to purchase a pass and the telephone call will be returned with a credit card payment accepted. Another option is to mail request with payment via check to BLM Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311. Vendor Row Update: There will be NO FOOD VENDORS since the San Bernardino County Health Department is not allowing or issuing food vending permits at this time. Social distancing will be strictly enforced. Vendor row will be reconfigured from what you are used to seeing to allow for social distancing. Camp Responsibly: This includes staying home if you don't feel well, recreating/camping with only your household members, practicing social distancing by maintaining at least 6 feet of space between you and others using the site, regularly disinfecting frequently touch items, not sharing equipment unless it has been disinfected between users, and washing hands regularly/using hand sanitizer. There is plenty of space at Dumont for folks to stay socially distanced. This is very important this season. Dumont CAN get closed down if duners do not follow the guidelines. That actually happened at El Mirage earlier this year. Understand that the BLM is a government agency that manages Dumont Dunes and they must closely follow and enforce the CDC guidelines. So cut them some slack and don't take it out on them or the rangers. 😆 We're all dealing with this together and looking forward to a fun, safe dune season!

UPDATE 10/6/2020 As of October 13th, the open flame fire ban is lifted and fires & BBQs are allowed at Dumont. Note: Campfire Permits are required for open fires, such as campfire, barbecues and portable stoves on federally controlled lands. Click here to get your campfire permit online for free. It only takes a couple minutes. Campfire permits are not something that is heavily or usually enforced at Dumont, but technically its the law. Its best to get one just in case. On Oct 13th, Dumont enters the Stage I restriction, allowing campfires and all open flames.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2020: 11/26/2020 - 11/29/2020 Dune Master and Sand Piper Old School Buggy Sand Drags and Hill Climbs are Friday and Saturday. The drag races will be Friday, November 27th starting at 10am on the flats on the way to the North Pole. The hill climbs will be held on Saturday, November 28th also starting at 10am on the big hill just to the left of comp hill.

Dec 12-13 weekend is Buggy Roundup 8! This year will be a little different due to the flu that is going around and CDC guidelines, but we are still a go! Calling all sandcars! Come join us at Dumont Dunes for our 8th Annual Buggy Roundup. The Buggy Roundup is an annual Dumont trip when all the sandcar people are invited to come out and camp together as a group. We'll be camped together across from bathroom 10, just off the right side of the entrance road. This trip gives the buggy guys and girls of Dumont a chance to meet each other and run the dunes together for a full weekend without the crowds. So don't be a stranger. Every year we have new people join the camp and end up leaving as friends. There is no set schedule of events, but Saturday will likely go something like this... 8:00 AM -~10 AM: Sandcars and Coffee: Pull your car into the center of camp. (Or park it there the night before) Grab some coffee, say good morning to everyone, and check out all the buggies. Saturday Afternoon: The rest of the day will involve duning, maybe another buggy weigh-off, dune trivia, and more group dune runs! There will be no taco night this year due to the social distancing restrictions in place. Want in? Here's what you need to do. 1) At the top of this page, click GOING... 2) Bring your buggy to Dumont and join in on the fun. Don't be a stranger. Park with the group. If you don't know anyone, just ask for PETE. Forum Topic Discussion... COVID-19 Guidelines we must follow this year Stay home if you are sick Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer Cover your nose & mouth when coughing or sneezing Regularly clean common touched items Wear a face mask when in high risk areas such as indoors (RVs) with members of other households or outdoors when 6 feet of distancing is not possible or within close proximity of each other. Please limit gatherings of people in close proximity within camp. Social distancing of 6 feet or more There will be no central campfire and each RV will have their own fire. Should anyone get sick during the event, they should leave Dumont Dunes so as to reduce the exposure potential to others at the event.

This year's Halloween Trunk or Treat, presented by the Friends of Dumont Dunes and the Barstow BLM, will take place at the south end of Vendor Row on Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 6 to 8pm. Arrive at 5pm to setup your OHV and get the best parking spot. Everyone is encouraged to come in a costume and to decorate their ride. Bring extra candy to hand out as well as a bucket or bag for the kid's to trick-or-treat with. Please practice social distancing as well as the same CDC guidelines that we have all been accustomed to. A note from FoDD... Friends of Dumont Dunes is always thankful for your donations that allow them to put these events on. Please take a moment to contribute anything you can via the PayPal link below. Thank you for your support! Jason Ardenski - President Friends of Dumont Dunes https://www.paypal.me/impactsignsonline