Exploring The Enchanting West Texas Dunes of Monahans Sandhill State Park

• Sunglasses (the sun on the sand dunes can be pretty blinding and the wind blows sand in your eyes)
• Sunscreen
• Change of Clothes (you will get sand everywhere, it is nice to change out of your sandy clothes)
• Your own sled or board (you can also rent a sled disc)
• Wax (It will make the disc’s that you rent slide a lot better)
• Water
• Bucket and Shovel (if you want to dig in the sand)

Know Before You Go:

• Check the weather- If it is going to be in the high 80s or 90’s I don’t advise going. The sand at Monahans State Park will be so hot it will burn to touch it.
• Best time of day to go- In the mornings or evenings. When the sun is pretty much not there. The sand is cooler and the experience not so intense in the heat.
• Online Reservation- It may get booked up on a weekend, but usually there is plenty of openings to visit. Checking into the office will be so much faster if you are already booked and who wants to take the chance that they will turn you away because there are too many people. Also book before you go, internet/wifi is basically nonexistent out here. Also they charge a $1 to use your credit card in the visitor center.
• You have to check in at the office to get a tag for your vehicle- No matter if you did book online you will have to stop at the office to get your tag for your vehicle. They are pretty strict about not having a window tag.
• Dogs are allowed- You can bring your dog, there is an on leash policy in place though.
• There are restrooms and covered picnic tables- The basic amenities are offered. I will tell you right now though that on weekend picnic tables get filled very quick. Just a heads up. There aren’t a ton of covered picnic areas so don’t be surprised on a weekend if they are all already taken.
• No OHV- If you are hoping to go off roading, dirt bike riding, 4 wheeling, or any other similar activity, than look elsewhere. The only things allowed on the dunes are horses and people.

Other Articles You Will Love:

What Is There To Do In Pecos, Texas?

Go Boot Scootin’ Along The Pecos Boot Trail

Things To Do In Fort Davis, Texas With Kids

Things To Do In Odessa, Texas With Kids

What is there to do?

• Horseback Riding
• Hiking Trails
• Dune Boarding/Shedding: Disc Rentals 8:30am-4:30pm around $6-$8 to rent a disc, wax is a $1.25
• Camping: Around $15 a night
• Volleyball Nets

Is This a Good Place To Bring Kids?

Heck yeah! I mean Monahans State Park is literally a giant sandbox for your kids to play in! It was even nominated this year (2023) as one of the most family friendly state parks in Texas. We always bring sand toys cause my kids love to dig and bury each other. Not great for sand castles, but still fun to dig in.

I have seen kids of all age enjoy the sand dunes. My babies love the feel of the sand on their legs, my toddlers love rolling down the dunes, my older nieces and nephews enjoy sledding on the disc down the dunes, and even us as adults love the sledding and climbing. It is a state park for the whole family no matter what the ages are!

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

1. It is so fun! This State Park is filled with fun for the whole family! I have been so many times in my life and never once did I not have a good time.
2. Wears the kids out! If you are a parent you will love this park, because it will completely wipe the energy out of your kid! Running up and down those dunes is such a work out, pretty much a guarantee that they will take a nap as soon as you leave! If you need other ideas on how to wear out your kids click here.
3. So much room and space to move around. This state park can get super busy; but even with all of the people you never feel crowded! Honestly you can pretty much go where ever you want at this state park and with about 300 acres of sand dunes, you will always have plenty of space to yourself!
4. Great workout! I always feel so accomplished when I leave this state park due to the amount of effort it takes to just walk around. I mean if you have been to a beach or even a playground with sand you know what I mean. It takes quite I bit of stamina and strength to walk through sand. Now imagine that sand piled about 20ft higher than you are and you can imagine the workout it takes to get up and down those dunes. So if you are looking to burn some calories, than you are coming to the right place.
5. Javalinas! Not gonna lie I am not a fan of the majority of desert creatures that call these dunes home. I despise snakes and don’t care for scorpions, but I love the Javalinas! Javalinas are short fluffy wild pigs that are very common in West Texas. They are not exactly friendly, but they are so cute! Keep an eye out and you might see some while you are here.
6. It is beautiful! Enjoying the beauty is kinda the whole point of state parks and this one sure is pretty. It is such a different kind of beautiful. I mean instead of greenery, trees, flowers, and water; you are looking a ripples in sand and dunes that look like ocean waves. It really is breathtaking.

Cons:

1. It gets busy on weekends or holidays. You gotta remember that this part of West Texas has few things to see and do, so weekend and holidays are pretty full from locals of the area, along with the tourist from elsewhere. If you go on a weekend it is hard to find parking, almost impossible to get a shaded picnic table, and good luck renting a disc for sledding. It is frustrating how busy it gets, but understandable.
2. The sand is so hot during the days in summer. Forewarning you now if you are going to visit the dunes during the day in the summer, it will still look pretty, but you will be burned! Summers in West Texas are average of 100 degrees, that means that sand is just as hot, or hotter. It will burn your feet and it will hurt. Since summer is the majority of the year that means the majority of the year this sand is wicked hot. Hence the reason the best times/busiest times to go are in the morning or at night.
3. You will have sand everywhere for weeks. Okay weeks may be an exaggeration, but you will get sand everywhere. In your clothes, in your hair, in your car, in your shoes, it will go home with you and you will find it in your house. Sand is everywhere!
4. The disc that you rent don’t work very well. I advise you bring your own boards cause the disc that are provided sink you into the sand and not necessarily let you slide. You need flat boards to really slide down the dunes, not curved disc. If you really want to enjoy dune boarding, bring your own boards!

Things To Do Close By:

Odessa Meteor Crater- A free museum and trail around a meteor crater.

Pecos Boot Trail- Find all the painted boots in Pecos for a prize!

Rattlesnake Bomber Base- Get a glimpse at the old historic bomber base in Pyote.

Million Barrel Museum- Walk around an old million barrel oil tank, and take a glance at Monahans history.

West of the Pecos Museum- A museum of what makes Pecos, well Pecos. History about rodeos, wars, beauty queens, and life back in the day.

Balmorhea State Park- Another unique state park, where you can swim in a natural swimming pool with fish and turtles.

I am an Amazon Affiliate, which means I may earn a commission from any purchases made through the links in this post. For more information, please read my privacy page.