North Sand Hills Special Recreation Management Area

Looking South West at the Sand Dunes in North Park

Keep your Wheels where they Belong!

The North Sand Hills SRMA is the only OHV sand recreation area in the State of Colorado! It is a non-fee, primitive OHV recreation and camping area with 800 acres of dunes, and 1400 acres total within the SRMA. The camping areas are dispersed primitive sites. The trail system in the SRMA begins in the sand, winds through the aspen and sagebrush, and leads both to the dunes and up into the Colorado State Forest and the US Forest Service lands to the east. The North Sand Hills SRMA is a great family location for spring, fall, and summertime fun! A donation tube is located on-site to help us keep this special area open to free use!

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT STATUS:  LIMITED   (Dune Area - Open)

SEASON:   Year round  (Snow may limit access in winter)

CAMPING LIMIT:  14 days

FACILITIES: 

• Three restroom buildings, four toilets total.
• No trash pick-up; pack it in, pack it out.

DRINKING WATER:   None.   Plan to pack in 1 gallon per person, per day.

FIRE WOOD: Bring your own firewood, limited dead and down trees are available on site for firewood.

The North Sand Hills is located approximately 10.5 miles north east of Walden, Colorado. From Walden, take Highway 125 north just past the town of Cowdrey. Take a right (east) on County Road 6  to BLM road #2509 (right). Follow the bladed road into the SRMA.

Restroom Facilities

Area Camping

 BLM and Colorado OHV Laws and Regulations:

• Any off-highway vehicle operated or in the possession of a person at any staging area on public lands must have one of the following registrations or permits:
  1. A Colorado OHV registration
  2. Or a Colorado non-resident OHV permit

Contact Colorado State Parks for more information.  (State Parks OHV Web Page)

• Carry proof of registration at all times.
• The decibel limit for vehicles in the State of Colorado is 99db.
• All OHVs must have a spark-arresting device on public lands.
• All OHVs must have working brakes.
• All OHVs must have both headlights and taillights and must turn them on one half-hour after sunset and until one half-hour before sunrise.
• Any off-highway vehicle accident resulting in property damage of fifteen hundred dollars or more or injuries resulting in hospitalization or death must be reported immediately to a law enforcement entity.

For more detailed list of federal and state regulations, and a list of frequently asked questions, consult the links below:

OHV Program Frequently Asked Questions - Colorado State Parks   
Colorado OHV Act  - (PDF)

 Recommendations for Riding in the North Sand Hills (NSH):

• Be bear aware! Bears have been known to be both seen and heard in the North Sand Hills by campers. Keep your camp clean, store food safely, and pack out your trash!
• Please do not use glass containers when riding on the dunes!
• Protect your shade - do not leave fires unattended, and extinguish all fire when not attended with water or sand.
• Bring firewood to the NSH, and if you do need additional firewood, use only dead and down trees! Green trees do not burn and destroys your beautiful surroundings.
• Whip flags and helmets are recommended in the NSH for safety.
• Drive slowly in the camping, parking, and access areas (10mph).
• Be courteous to other users and watch for young riders!

 Additional Information on the North Sand Hills:

A plan is currently being developed for the future management of the North Sand Hills. This is a collaborative effort by many entities that meet once a month to discuss issues and potential solutions. The participants include:

If you have any comments or questions for the North Sand Hills Working Group,
please send an email to: kfo_webmail@blm.gov