Wyoming Is Home To The Largest Living Dune System In America And It’s Incredible
When most people think of Wyoming, the first things to come to mind are mountains, alpine lakes, enormous reservoirs, and wild, scenic rivers. One of the most overlooked features of the state is the Red Desert in Wyoming. Not only is there a large desert in the Cowboy State, it’s one of the coolest places you can plan to visit! This desert is home to some pretty incredible natural features such as the Great Divide Basin, a unique endorheic basin and the Killpecker Sand Dunes.
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The Killpecker Sand Dunes are located north of Rock Springs and stretch east for 55 miles all the way from the Green River Basin, across the Continental Divide and into the Great Divide Basin.
The dunes themselves cover 109,000 acres, and they're the largest living dune system in America.
The dunes were formed by the Big Sandy and Little Sandy Rivers. Large amounts of sand collected on their riverbanks during glacial melting from the Wind River Mountains.
The wind then blew the sand across the Continental Divide to its present location. The reason the dune system is considered a "living" or "active" system is that the sand is still blowing about and shifting the shape of the landscape.
The tallest dunes of the Red Desert in Wyoming top more than 100 feet!
The dune system stores rain and melting snow which is necessary for the growth of vegetation and provides a water source for wildlife. The plants and vegetation help stabilize the dune system. Ponds at the base of the dunes attract birds, elk, cattle, sheep and wild horses.
Wyomingites may be used to hiking, but hiking on sand is a whole new challenge.
The soft sand is easier to walk along than you think. Keep your ears open for the odd feature that makes this one of the only "singing" sand dune systems in the world - when the wind blows, the land mass makes an eerie whistling sound.
More than 10,000 acres of the Red Desert in Wyoming is designated as an ATV playground.
You can also surf the dunes on a sled or ski down the sand at top speed.
At the end of the day, be sure to look west and check out the incredible sunset. This is a unique setting for a sunset that you will likely never forget
Check out this video of Killpecker Sand Dunes by YouTube user, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming | UWyo Extension.
To get to Killpecker Sand Dunes, drive north out of Rock Springs on U.S. 191 for 10 miles. Turn right at CR 4-18 and then turn left at CR 4-17.
Address: Red Desert, WY 82336, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Red Desert in Wyoming
September 10, 2020
Kim Magaraci
What are the best outdoor adventures in Wyoming?
Narrowing down the “best” adventures in Wyoming’s great outdoors is a monumental task. Artists, photographers, and geologists are consistently impressed with visit to Yellowstone National Park. If you love to cast a line, fly fishing along the Green River is one of the best ways to test your skills. In the winter, our world-class ski resorts and mountains make for the best places to ski or snowboard. In the Snowy Range or Wind River Range, snowmobilers rule the land. No matter what sort of outdoor adventure you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Wyoming.
Does Wyoming have any natural wonders?
Some of Wyoming’s most popular natural wonders are the Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Teton Mountain Range, the Snake River, and the Red Desert! Along the southern border with Utah, the Flaming Gorge area is a remarkable sight, too.
What are the most picturesque hiking trails in Wyoming?
It’s hard to top the Cascade Canyon hike in Grand Teton National Park. In fact, it’s one of the top rated trails in Wyoming – no matter who you ask! Other scenic hiking trails include the area around Devils Towner, the Vedauwoo, and Casper Mountain.
Address: Red Desert, WY 82336, USA
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I am a freelance writer who also has been a small business owner and worked in the fields of insurance, accounting, and education. I enjoy spending time with family, reading, writing, photography, music, running, sports, and of course traveling!
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