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All 5 Essex Attractions »

Kelso Dunes

Mojave National Preserve, Essex, CA
760 255 8801
Ranked #1 of 5 attractions in Essex
5.0 of 5 stars 5 Reviews
Description: One of the areas in California where one can view the unique aspects of sand dunes.
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5 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    4
    1
    0
    0
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Date Rating
Riverside, California
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 March 2012

As part of a desert field trip we visited the Kelso Sand Dunes and they were awe inspiring. It didn't take us long to hike to the top - maybe 40 minutes - but it is steep and was quite a workout. We were there in February, so the weather was perfect for that type of activity and I wouldn't... More

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Rocklin, California
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 July 2009
4
people found this review helpful

First saw them around 1pm and realized that I would need to arrive early and with water to hike these dunes. Not right by road like dunes in Death Valley. Came back next morning aroun 6am. It's a great hike. Beautiful dunes. easy to follow trail or footsteps of others. Great views as you climb. I got within about 50... More

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waterford,mi
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 March 2008
2
people found this review helpful

Only made it up 2/3 of the way to the highest dune, but wow. I just didn't have time. You'll need 3 hours for the climb, and water.

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Queens, New York
Top Contributor
117 reviews 117 reviews
Reviews in 52 cities Reviews in 52 cities
133 helpful votes 133 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 August 2007
3
people found this review helpful

We got there at 9:30 AM in August and it was still brutally hot. The walk from the parking lot, while brief in steps, felt quite long and considering any climbing was daunting as we got to within 1/4 mile of the dunes with three kids and two out of shape city-bred parents. Especially after we had passed the sign... More

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A TripAdvisor Member
Syracuse, NY
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
151 helpful votes 151 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 July 2003
2
people found this review helpful

The Kelso Sand Dunes are worth more than a quick visit. To get out and hike the dunes I would plan on two hours minimum. You could easily spend a half day or more here, exploring, picnicing (bring your own as there are no facilities). Great photo opps of friends and family standing and sliding on dunes!

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