Overview
Little Sahara Recreation Area encompasses fields of sand dunes located in Central Utah. The area is administered by the United States Bureau of Land Management and is popular primarily for off-road vehicular recreation.
4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Apr.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PVU Provo Municipal Airport, Provo — 46 mi away. Directions
- SLC Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City — 75 mi away (major hub). Directions
Access to the recreation area is by car through the visitor center on the north. Take US 6 and follow the signs to the "Sand Dunes."
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The recreation area occupies only a portion of the larger dune fields, which cover an area of 220 square miles (570 km²). The dunes formed from the sands left behind by the Sevier River where it emptied into ancient Lake Bonneville.
History
Landscape
Flora and fauna
Climate
Get in
Access to the recreation area is by car through the visitor center on the north. Take US 6 and follow the signs to the "Sand Dunes."
Fees and permits
Entry fee is $18 per night per vehicle. An annual pass is available for $120. For seniors and visitors with disabilities there is a discounted rate of $60. Active military personnel should inquire about discounts.
Get around
The main routes through the area are paved, but these lead just to the major camping areas. Most of the camping areas have dirt access roads, but these are well maintained and should be accessible by any type of vehicle. The farther you travel away from the developed campgrounds and access roads, the more you may need a high-clearance vehicle. And, of course, travel through the dune fields should only be attempted by vehicles equipped for the environment.
Sleep
Lodging
There are no lodging facilities within the recreation area. The closest accommodations are available in Delta, 32 miles (51.5 km) to the south, or in Nephi, 22 miles (35.4 km) to the east.
Camping
There are four different camping area within the recreation area.
Stay White Sands
Located northwest of the visitor center, this area has 100 campsites (RV and tent camping) right next to the dunes nestled among junipers. There is a fenced play area. Flushing toilets are available during the warm months, while vault toilets are available during the winter season. Drinking water is also available.
Stay Oasis
This area provides paved pads for trailers and RVs with 115 sites available. Flushing toilets are open during the warm months while vault toilets are available during the winter season. An RV sanitary dump station is also at this location.
Stay Jericho
This is a picnic and camping area and a good area for large groups. There are 40 picnic tables available, a paved entry road, ramadas, flushing toilets (vault toilets only during the winter), drinking water and a fenced play area.
Stay Sand Mountain
Sand Mountain is a more primitive camping area, and is also the staging area for entry into the dunes. There are three paved parking loops, flush toilets (vault toilets in the winter) and drinking water is available.
Backcountry
The Rockwell Outstanding Natural Area, located on the northwest corner of the recreation area, provides 9,000 acres of pristine natural habitat where motor vehicle use is prohibited. Here you can hike and see the natural dune desert undisturbed by modern conveniences.
Stay safe
While off-road recreation is fun, you should observe all safety rules and precautions. People can be injured or killed if not careful. Helmets are required when traveling across the dunes. Safety flags are required on vehicles. Keep a careful eye out for pedestrians, children, pets and other potential hazards.
Nearby
Nephi
City / town · 12 listings · 25 mi away
Delta
City / town · 4 listings · 30 mi away
Santaquin
City / town · 11 listings · 33 mi away
Fountain Green
City / town · 3 listings · 36 mi away
Maple Canyon
City / town · 1 listings · 37 mi away
Yuba Lake State Park
Park · 4 listings · 38 mi away
Moroni
City / town · 6 listings · 41 mi away
Spanish Fork
City / town · 7 listings · 44 mi away
My experience
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