Roadside Attraction Mussentuchit Dune

Western Swell

Overview

( Rated 3.0 / 1 Ratings )

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RATING: Roadside Attraction

LENGTH: 1+ hours

Tue

38 | 18

Wed

37 | 15

Thu

43 | 17

Fri

43 | 21

Sat

42 | 22

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SEASON: Any when roads are dry. Hot in the summer.

WATER: None.

Tue

38 | 18

Wed

37 | 15

Thu

43 | 17

Fri

43 | 21

Sat

42 | 22

View Full Weather Details

roadside

dog friendly

family friendly

beginner

access: high clearance

Hard charging up the dune.

While passing through the Mussentuchit area, we saw a BLM sign for the Mussentuchit Dune. Well, we could not pass up a chance to play in the sand, so followed the sign south. Much to our surprise, the Mussentuchit Dune is an exceptionally large sandy slope, and perfect for playing on. Even more to my surprise, the dune was quite busy on the random spring weekday afternoon we visited. Several groups and many kids were running up, digging in, and having an enjoyable time at the dune. Our 4-year-old loved spending part of an afternoon playing in the sand.

This makes a terrific addition to visiting the nearby Mussentuchit Wash, or when camping in the area. It is a long way from pavement, and best visited in combination with other things in the area. If just driving out to the dune, you might be disappointed.

Note: Where does the name come from? The first cowboys in the area said you Must Not Touch It because the water was not drinkable. That was shortened over time to Mussentuchit.

Beautiful wind swept sand.

Abby wining the race!

Getting There

Note: The road quickly becomes impassable to all when wet. Stay out of here if rain or snow are in the forecast, or the roads are already wet. I recommend a high clearance vehicle because of the distance and variability of the road, though it is generally good enough for most vehicles.

Reaching the trailhead starts from Exit 99 on I-70. This is about 38 miles east of Salina Utah, or about 54 miles west of Green River Utah.

Reset your odometer on the south side of I-70 where it turns to dirt. Stay on the obvious wide main road from here as it heads south. ( 12S 481728mE 4295696mN / N38° 48' 35" W111° 12' 38" )
8.4 miles - Major Junction. Go right here. ( 12S 485053mE 4285684mN / N38° 43' 11" W111° 10' 19" )
8.55 miles - T-Junction after crossing a wash, go left. ( 12S 484833mE 4285567mN / N38° 43' 07" W111° 10' 28" )
9.8 miles - Junction. Go RIGHT for the Mussentuchit Wash hike. ( 12S 484394mE 4283693mN / N38° 42' 06" W111° 10' 46" )
Mussentuchit Wash Side Road
Mussentuchit Wash Side Road - 0.6 miles - Jct. Go right. Left goes down to the Sand Cove Spring. There is good primitive camping along this section of road. ( 12S 483918mE 4283322mN / N38° 41' 54" W111° 11' 06" )
Mussentuchit Wash Side Road - 2.45 miles - Cattleguard. The Mussentuchit Wash hike starts from here, down the old (no closed) road heading south toward Mussentuchit Wash. ( 12S 482867mE 4281977mN / N38° 41' 10" W111° 11' 49" )
Continuing On Mussentuchit Road to the Dune
10.75 miles - Junction - Stay straight for Mussentuchit Dune. ( 12S 484641mE 4282354mN / N38° 41' 23" W111° 10' 36" )
12.3 miles - Spur road on the left to Mussentuchit Dune. The dune is 0.4 miles down the spur road, and obvious from the main road. ( 12S 484598mE 4279999mN / N38° 40' 06" W111° 10' 37" )

Ruby heading up the dune.

Route

The dune is at the end of the road.

Note: At least on our visit, vehicles driving up and down the dunes has mashed thorny plants into the base of the sand dune. I would recommend wearing shoes until well into the pure sand area. We took of barefoot from the car parking area and had regrets!