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By: Dave Helgeson
Places to Ride:
Beverly Sand Dunes
Beverley Dunes riding through the trees.
Beverley Dunes camping area.
Beverley Dunes riding along Crab Creek.
Beverley Dunes family friendly sand.
Welcome! |
Grab the family and head to Beverly Dunes
near Beverly, Washington. While these dunes are
considerably smaller than the more famous Moses
Lake Sand Dunes, nearby Beverly Dunes offers a
more family-friendly place to ride. The area
contains only a couple of small razor backs
which makes it much safer for those just
learning to ride. The balance of the dunes
gently rolls along for hundreds of yards. Since
the dunes are not extremely tall, visibility is
good across the area making it easy to keep tabs
on smaller riders and easier to be seen by
others as well. When you tire of riding the open
dunes, head to the trees along Crab Creek. There
you will find some nice trails twisting through
the trees with bermed corners and an occasional
seasonal mud hole to play in. With no huge hills
to climb, you can leave the paddle tires at
home. The total area encompasses approximately
300 acres with free-flowing sand covering more
than half of the area. Treed camp sites with
nearby Crab Creek complete the family friendly
atmosphere. The area is open year-round, and
there is no fee to ride. Expect hot temperatures
in the summer.
Camping:
Camping is available at the staging area.
Restrooms consist of pit toilets. There is no
potable water available at the riding area.
Choose shaded campsites with some grass to the
south of the staging area. These are away from
the main riding area, and the traffic that comes
with it. You can also camp out in the open by
the staging area and be closer to the action.
Getting There:
From the junction of I-90 and Hwy 26 (Exit 137
from I-90) head south about 1 mile on Hwy 26. At
the junction of Hwy 26 and Hwy 243, head south
along the Columbia River on Hwy 243. As you
approach the town of Beverly you will cross
under an abandoned railroad bridge, Lower Crab
Creek Road will be on your left after traveling
under the bridge. Head east on Lower Crab Creek
Road, and you will shortly reach the riding
area.
Services:
The town of Beverly has little in the way of
services. There is a small gas station with a
mini mart just south of the junction of Hwy 243
and Lower Crab Creek Road on Hwy 243. The
closest larger towns with full services are
Ellensburg to the west and Moses Lake to the
east.
Rules and Regulations:
Any person can operate any ORV on DNR and WDFW
roads and motorized trails with the following:
- Current License Plate or ORV Tag
- A working muffling system (emitting no more
than 105 decibels at 20") with a "USFS Approved
Spark Arrester" that is stamped into the metal
on motorcycle mufflers and is clearly visible
- Headlight(s) and taillight(s) are required
during the hours of darkness
- Brakes and Brake light(s).
- In the sand, ATVs must be equipped with an
orange or red flag at least 108” off the ground.
- Effective July 2005
- RCW 46.09.117: Riders under 13 must be under
direct supervision of a person eighteen years of
age or older possessing a valid license to
operate a motor vehicle under RCW 46.20 to ride
on a non-highway road
- RCW 46.09.120.3.a: Except for an off-road
vehicle equipped with seat belts and roll bars
or an enclosed passenger compartment, it is a
traffic infraction for any person to operate or
ride an off-road vehicle on a non-highway road
without wearing upon his or her head a
motorcycle helmet fastened securely while in
motion. For purposes of this section,
"motorcycle helmet" has the same meaning as
provided in RCW 46.37.530.
For complete rules and regulations for riding
the sand in Grant County, Washington visit:
www.co.grant.wa.us/Sheriff/Misc_Files/PDF/SandDunes/SandDunes.pdf
For additional Information:
Department of Natural Resources, Southeast
Region
713 Bowers Road
Ellensburg, WA 98926
509-925-8510, 509-754-2011 ext 468 or
1-800-572-0119
Be safe, enjoy, and I hope to see you on the
trails.
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