Christmas Valley Sand Dunes

Christmas Valley Sand Dunes ACEC https://www.blm.gov/visit/lost-forestdunesfossil-acec https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Valley_Sand_Dunes The Christmas Valley Sand Dunes are a natural sand dune complex of public lands east of Christmas Valley in Lake County, Oregon, United States, about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Bend. The area is accessible via the Christmas Valley National Back Country Byway. The dunes are up to 60 feet (18 m) high. It is the largest inland shifting sand dune system in the Pacific Northwest. The dunes are composed mostly of ash and pumice from the eruption of Mount Mazama that formed Crater Lake 7,000 years ago. Approximately 8,900 acres (36 km2) of dunes are open to vehicles.

An unusual stand of ancient ponderosa pine forest growing out of the sand is the outstanding feature of the Lost Forest Research Natural Area, which is located in the northeast portion of the area. A remnant of a forest that existed in a cooler and wetter age, these pines survive on half the typical annual precipitation for this tree species due to unique soil and hydrologic properties of the area. The nearest forest is 40 miles to the northwest, yet the pines continue to reproduce and thrive in this environment. Old growth juniper groves also exist in the Lost Forest. Motorized vehicles are allowed in the Lost Forest on routes posted “open.” No cross country use is allowed. Camping is permissible in designated sites only. Sand Dunes Wilderness Study Area The Sand Dunes Wilderness Study Area, located in the south and central part of the area, is the largest inland shifting sand dune system in the Pacific Northwest and a popular destination for offhighway vehicle enthusiasts. The dunes are composed largely of ash and pumice that blew into the area 7,000 years ago when Mt. Mazama erupted forming Crater Lake. Nearly 8,900 acres of dunes remain open to vehicle use. Please keep your vehicle on routes posted “open” until you reach the open bare dunes. Fossil Lake Area of Critical Environmental Concern New species continue to be unearthed by research groups at Fossil Lake. Collecting fossils by the public is strictly prohibited. Access to this special area is limited to walk-in traffic only. Know Before You Go Camping and Services • Camping areas are primitive. There are no facilities, water, or restrooms in the area. Please pack out toilet paper and bury human waste in a four-to six-inch-deep “cat-hole” at least 200 feet away from campsite. • Camping is permitted in designated sites only. • No firewood collecting or cutting is permitted anywhere in the area. • The nearest services are located in Christmas Valley, Oregon, approximately 16 miles southwest. • Off-highway vehicles are allowed only on designated routes or areas. • The Bureau of Land Management follows Oregon State laws and regulations pertaining to off-highway vehicles. The term off-highway vehicle refers to all motorized vehicles. • You must have a valid driver’s license, state-issued all-terrain vehicle operator permit, or be accompanied by someone 18 or older with a valid driver’s license or operator permit. • Flags are required on all vehicles on the dunes (9 feet tall orange or red flag). • A State of Oregon off-highway vehicle sticker is required to operate on all lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon. Stickers may be purchased at All Terrain Vehicle dealerships or by calling 1 (800) 551-6949. • Children between the ages of 7 and 12 must have both a stateissued all-terrain vehicle operator permit and be accompanied by someone 18 or older with a valid driver’s license or stateissued all-terrain vehicle operator permit. • Children under the age of 18 must wear a helmet on all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles. • Use headlights and taillights between dusk and dawn. • Mufflers must be maintained at 99 decibels. • Out-of-state visitors are required to have their state off-highway vehicle sticker, or must purchase a State of Oregon sticker to ride here. • Operate your off-highway vehicle sober, not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. No open liquor containers are allowed. • Stay on designated travel routes between camping and day-use parking areas and the open dunes. • Respect the rights of other visitors as you enjoy your visit. Christmas Valley Sand Dunes Area of Critical Environmental Concern Directions to the Site From Christmas Valley, Oregon travel east on County Road 5-14 for 8 miles. Turn left (north) on County Road 5-14D and travel another 8 miles. Turn right (east) at the “T” and travel 3 miles on County Road 5-14E to the entrance of the Sand Dunes. Another 4 miles on Bureau of Land Management Road 6155 will bring you to the Lost Forest. Lakeview District The Fossil Lake Area is closed to off-highway vehicle use to protect the fragile fossils found here. These fossils range in age from about 10,000 years old, to as much as 400,000 years old. Paleontologists have worked in the Fossil Lake deposits for more than 100 years. Hundreds of species of reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals have been identified. Some are extinct, such as the mammoth, Dire wolf, giant beaver, and a large species of eagle. Others, such as the Tui chub, rabbit, ground squirrel, salmon, and prairie dog, exist here or in other parts of North America. Rules and Regulations for Off-highway Vehicle Use BLM Lost Forest Research Natural Area District Contact Information Lakeview District Lakeview Resource Area Bureau of Land Management 1301 South G Street Lakeview, OR 97630 (541) 947-2177 www.or.blm.gov/lakeview BLM/OR/WA/GI-05/033+1122.32 Public Lands USA: Use • Share • Appreciate Welcome to Christmas Valley Sand Dun Area of Critical Environmenta

BLM Back Country Byways There are four types of Back Country Byways: Type 1: Roads that can accommodate normal touring cars. These roads are paved or have an all weather surface and have grades that are negotiable by a normal touring car. These roads are usually narrow, slow speed, secondary roads. Red Gulch/Alkali Back Country Byway, WY Type 2: Roads which require high-clearance type vehicles. These roads are usually not paved but may have some type of surfacing. Grades, curves and road surfaces are such that they can be negotiated with a two wheel drive high clearance vehicle without undue difficulty. Garnet Back Country Byway, MT Type 3: Roads which require 4-wheel drive vehicles or other specialized vehicles such as dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s), etc. These roads are usually not surfaced. However, the There’s a byway for you or contact local BLM offices to learn about individual Back Country Byways. Alaska State Office, Anchorage, AK, (907) 271-5960 Arizona State Office, Phoenix, AZ, (602) 417-9200 California State Office, Sacramento, CA, (916) 978-4400 Colorado State Office, Lakewood, CO, (303) 239-3600 Eastern States Office, Springfield, VA, (703) 440-1600 Idaho State Office, Boise, ID, (208) 373-4000 Montana State Office, Billings, MT, (406) 896-5000 Nevada State Office, Reno, NV, (775) 861-6400 New Mexico State Office, Santa Fe, NM, (505) 438-7400 Oregon State Office, Portland, OR, (503) 808-6002 Utah State Office, Salt Lake City, UT, (801) 539-4133 Wyoming State Office, Cheyenne, WY, (307) 775-6256 Visit www.blm.gov for information about how the Bureau of Land Management administers public lands. Gold Belt Tour Back Country Byway, CO Rediscover the splendor of the West’s public lands by traveling the adventurous routes of the Bureau of Land Management’s Back Country Byways. As a unique part of the National Scenic Byways Program, Back Country Byways can lead you on less-traveled roads through alpine meadows and soaring mountains to sagebrush prairie and saguaro cactus desert. Choose a route to explore whether driving an air-conditioned car, four-wheel drive or dirt bike. Remember—Safety First. Be prepared. Check weather and road conditions before departing. Carry appropriate equipment for back country conditions and always be prepared for weather changes and emergencies. Back Country Byways Visit www.byways.org/explore/byways/other/blm roads are maintained for safety and resource protection purposes. They have grades, tread surfaces and other characteristics that will require specialized vehicles to negotiate. Type 4: Trails that are managed to accommodate dirt bike, mountain bike, snowmobile or ATV use. They are usually single track trails. BLM Back Country Byways System Big Sky, MT Type I Garnet Range, MT Type IV Nestucca River, OR Type I Quartzville Road, OR; Type I South Fork-Alsea River, OR Type I Lower Crooked River, OR; Type I Cow Creek Road, OR; Type I Grave Creek to Marial, OR Type I Missouri Breaks, MT Type II Lower Deschutes River, OR Type I Snake River-Mormon Basin, OR Types I, II Lewis and Clark, ID; Type I South Fork John Day River, OR Big Sheep Creek, MT Type I Type I Red Gulch/Alkali Road, WY Christmas Valley, OR Type II Owyhee Uplands, ID; Type I Types I, II Diamond Loop, OR; Type I Lakeview to Steens Mountain, OR; Types I, II Steens Mountain, OR Types I, II City of Rocks, ID; Type I Galice to Hellgate, OR Type I Barrel Springs, CA, NV; Type II Buckhorn, CA, NV; Type II California Trail, NV Type I Lovelock Cave, NV Type I Fort Churchill to Wellington, NV Type II Saline Valley, CA Type II Owen Valley-Death Valley, CA; Type II Seminoe to Alcova, WY Types I, II, III Transcontinental Railroad, UT; Type II Silver Island Mountain, UT Type II Pony Express Trail, UT Type II Nine Mile Canyon, UT Type I Wild Horse Canyon, CA Type I Gold Belt Tour, CO Type III Bull Creek Pass, UT Type III Smithsonian Butte, UT Type I Chimney Peak, CA Type II South Big Horn/Red Wall, WY Type II Mt. Wilson, NV Type II Lunar Crater, NV Type II Alpine Loop Back Country Byway, CO Alpine Loop, CO; Type III Gold Butte, NV; Type II Bitter Springs, NV; Type II Red Rock Canyon, NV Type I Old Route 66-Oatman Road, AZ; Type I Parker Dam Road, AZ, CA Type I Harquahala Mountain, AZ Type III Los Caminos Antiguos, CC Type I Wild Rivers, NM Type I Please take care of yourself and the environment Chain of Craters, NM Type II · Check weather and road conditions ahead of time Quebradas, NM Type II Bradshaw Trail, CA; Type III Lake Valley, NM Type I Black Hills, AZ Type II Steens Mountain Back Country Byway, OR · Bring area-specific maps and route descriptions · Carry plenty of water Guadalupe, NM Type I · Bring adequate fuel · Carry a spare tire, jack, tools, shovel, blanket, etc. · Remember that signing and fencing are for your safety BLM Back Country Byway BLM Administered Land Interstate 0 50 100 200 300 400 Miles * The National Landscape Conservation System c