Little Sahara Recreation Area | Delta

Hiking Little Sahara Recreation Area - DeltaRoadside Attraction Little Sahara Recreation Area - Delta Little Sahara Recreation Area

Delta

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy Hike
LENGTH: 1+ hours
MAPS: TANNER CREEK NARROWS, UT; LYNNDYL NW, UT

Sun

Snow before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. North northwest wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

42 | 33

Mon

A slight chance of snow before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

42 | 23

Tue

Rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.

43 | 29

Wed

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

39 | 27

Thu

Mostly sunny, with a high near 36.

36 | 19

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, though summers can be hot.
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: Available at many locations in the park.

Sun

Snow before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. North northwest wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

42 | 33

Mon

A slight chance of snow before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

42 | 23

Tue

Rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.

43 | 29

Wed

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

39 | 27

Thu

Mostly sunny, with a high near 36.

36 | 19

View Full Weather Details
Ruby taking on the Dunes

Ruby taking on the Dunes

Little Sahara Recreation Area is an area that is well known to sand dune riding enthusiasts. The recreation area is situated in the West Desert, about 35 minutes west of Nephi, Utah. Though remote, this is an ATV, dirt bike, and dune buggy metropolis on busy weekends such as Easter, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. On the busiest of weekends, the recreation area can attract over 20,000 visitors. I thought 20,000 was an incredible number, and then I realized the entire population of Juab County, where it is located, is only about 11,000 people, making it even more incredible!

For the motorized crowd, the recreation area has very diverse riding. From dirt trails around Black Mountain to the White Sand Dunes in the northern end of the Recreation Area to the imposing 700' tall Sand Mountain, there is something for everyone.

Not of the motorized crowd? We visited on foot and enjoyed the day immensely. White Sands Camping area has a small (about 2 acre) space set aside for non-motorized use that is great for kids and families to play on. Jericho Picnic area, toward the south end of the Recreation Area, has a larger 22+ acre area set aside for non-motorized use, with plenty of big sand hills to run up and down. On the west side of the Recreation Area is a 9,000-acre non-motorized area as well, but it is more difficult to access.

Note: If visiting on foot, or looking to avoid crowds, try to time your visit for during the week, or on non-holiday weekends. We visited on a November weekend, and there were people out and about, but it didn't feel crowded or hectic.
Note: As of 2018, it was $18 a day to visit the Recreation Area.
Sand Mountain at dawn from a distance.

Sand Mountain at dawn from a distance.

Getting There

From Delta
The recreation area is about 40 minutes north of Delta. From the east side of Delta, go north on US-6 32.1 miles to Rte 1812, on the left. This is signed Sand Dunes. Follow this paved road 4.5 miles, and turn left to the signed Little Sahara Recreation Area.

From I-15
The fastest way from I-15 is from Nephi, UT. From downtown Nephi, go west on UT-132 for about 13 miles, then turn off to Rte 1812 on the right. This crosses US-6 after about 9 miles, and reaches the Little Sahara Recreation Area turn off after 13.8 miles.

Once inside the park, an excellent visitor center is available on the right to get a park map and current information.

Sand Mountain

Sand Mountain

Route

My recommendation is to travel from the visitor center south to Sand Mountain, then move back north being sure to visit the Jericho Picnic and White Sands Camping area to see the different dunes. There aren't any designated hiking trails in the Recreation Area.

Camping is excellent, with lots of sites for either trailer parking, or smaller spots for tent camping. Water, restrooms, and picnic tables are available in quite a few places in the Recreation Area as well.


Maps

Printable Maps:

Visitor Center

12S 387995mE 4398164mN

N39° 43' 34" W112° 18' 25"
White Sands Area

12S 387198mE 4399891mN

N39° 44' 29" W112° 18' 59"
Jericho Area

12S 382589mE 4393885mN

N39° 41' 12" W112° 22' 09"
Sand Mountain

12S 380640mE 4388665mN

N39° 38' 22" W112° 23' 28"

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