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Sand Dunes to Photograph in the USA

169 sand dunes in 11 states, each with computed light, night-sky and weather data for planning. Pick a state, or start with the most documented locations below.

Top sand dunes

Kelso DunesSand Dunes
Kelso DunesSan Bernardino County, CA
Algodones DunesSand Dunes
Algodones DunesImperial County, CA
Mount BaldySand Dunes
Mount BaldyLaPorte County, IN
Hoosier SlideSand Dunes
Hoosier SlideLaPorte County, IN
Eureka DunesSand Dunes
Eureka DunesInyo County, CA
Christmas Valley Sand DunesSand Dunes
Christmas Valley Sand DunesLake County, OR
Dumont DunesSand Dunes
Dumont DunesSan Bernardino County, CA
Grand Sable DunesSand Dunes
Grand Sable DunesAlger County, MI
Winnemucca Sand DunesSand Dunes
Winnemucca Sand DunesHumboldt County, NV
American Beach Nana Sand DuneSand Dunes
American Beach Nana Sand DuneNassau County, FL
Calumet Dunes TrailSand Dunes
Calumet Dunes TrailPorter County, IN
Coastal Dunes of San Juan IslandSand Dunes
Coastal Dunes of San Juan IslandSan Juan County, WA
Sand Dunes
Lanphere DunesHumboldt County, CA
Big DuneSand Dunes
Big DuneNye County, NV
The Sleeping BearSand Dunes
The Sleeping BearLeelanau County, MI
St. Anthony Sand DunesSand Dunes
St. Anthony Sand DunesFremont County, ID
Mesquite Flat Sand DunesSand Dunes
Mesquite Flat Sand DunesInyo County, CA
Silver Lake Sand DunesSand Dunes
Silver Lake Sand DunesOceana County, MI
Sand Dunes
Bone Beds and Sand DunesCity and County of San Francisco, CA
Sand Dunes
Ibex DunesSan Bernardino County, CA
Sand Dunes
The DunesInyo County, CA
Sand Dunes
The DunesInyo County, CA
Sand Dunes
Tularosa basin gypsum dunesOtero County, NM
Sand Dunes
Sand DunesFranklin County, FL

By state

Map

How to photograph sand dunes

Dunes need low sun: ripples and ridgelines only appear when side-light casts shadows, so shoot within an hour of sunrise or sunset.

  • Walk along ridges rather than across faces to avoid leaving footprints in your future compositions.
  • A telephoto isolates S-curves and layered ridges.
  • Wind erases tracks overnight — mornings have the cleanest sand.
  • Protect gear from blowing sand; avoid changing lenses in the wind.
  • Sand surfaces get extremely hot in summer afternoons.

Season: Spring and autumn for comfortable temperatures; full moon nights give soft light on the sand.