The South Side of Imperial Sand Dunes
We Explore The History and Vastness of Gordon’s Well
Story & Photos By: Betsy Fessler
The Imperial Sand Dunes are labelled as the largest off-road sand box in the United States, stretching approximately 40 miles long and 5 miles wide, its dune field offers excitement for all ages. People come far and wide from all over the world to experience the thrill ride they offer.
Also referred to as the Algodones Dunes, the Imperial Sand Dunes are located in the southeast corner of California, close to Arizona and Mexico. The ISDRA (Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area) is surrounded by Mexican border to the south, Route 78 to the north, the Coachella Canal to the west, and active Southern Pacific railroad tracks to the east.
There are several main camping areas at the Imperial Sand Dunes. At the north end are the Gecko Road and Roadrunner campgrounds. The washes are on the east side. The south end is where you’ll find the Buttercup, Midway, Gray’s Well, and Gordon’s Well areas.
The washes were our favorite camping spot for decades. However, their increased popularity found us wanting a quieter option with a little more wiggle room. We tried camping at Gordon’s Well, and have since returned several times.
In the 1930’s, Gordon’s Well was a full service auto stop located along the new, paved Highway 80. Originally it was named the Gordon’s Well Oasis. It was built by Frank Gordon, who relocated there to build a home and business after losing his savings during the stock market crash of 1929. Gordon dug wells to provide water, giving Gordon’s Well its name.
Also called Dune Buggy Flats, Gordon’s Well is on the north side of Interstate I-8 at Exit 151. To get there, once you reach the “T” intersection, turn right. Go past the dumpsters and over the canal. You will soon see vault toilets on your left. Past the toilets is the main Gordon’s Well camping area.
Because it is located in the desert, Gordon’s Well is a destination to consider only during the cooler months. The season kickoff is generally around Halloween, as that is when Camp RZR takes place at the north end of the dunes. Halloween weekend is another very popular weekend, followed by Thanksgiving, New Years and President’s Day weekends. Generally, the riding season there is October through March. No matter the time of year, be sure to check the weather forecast before you leave to be best prepared.
There is only dry camping throughout the entire ISDRA, including Gordon’s Well. We have only been there to camp on holiday weekends and during those weekends it’s not uncommon to see ice cream trucks roaming through the camping area selling ice in addition to ice cream and candy. Additionally, there are usually mobile RV dump services that will pump your tanks and fill your fresh water for a fee. Be ready to jot down the phone number on the side of their truck as they pass by that first time, so you can call them when the time is needed.
Be prepared to be self-contained and equipped for the duration of your stay. Community conveniences aren’t exactly right around the corner, the nearest gas station is 15 miles east on I-8 at the Sidewinder Exit and the nearest groceries are over 30 miles away in Yuma. One modern day convenience does exist though, you’ll find that cell service is surprisingly good throughout the dunes.
On big holiday weekends vendors set up at the south end of the dunes, either at Gordon’s Well or on the south side of Interstate 8, offering anything from flags to t-shirts. Gordon’s Well is also the site of the very popular sand drags where huge crowds gather before sunset to show their vehicles and attempt to out-run each other. Even more people sit on the side lines to spectate. The scene is incredibly fun for all those attend and participate, but please be aware and cautious. Despite notable presence of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) authorities, there are few very safety precautions that are enforced.
After a long closure, the very popular Duner’s Diner has been completely renovated and is finally open again. The ever popular social stop is very conveniently located for Gordon’s Well visitors, only a 5-10 minutes drive from camp. With a modern yet rustic vibe indoor dining area has ample tables, a full bar, and flat screen TVs hung throughout. It is now a much bigger and better destination for duners to get breakfast or a burger and wet their whistle. The diner also has a small general store that offers camping staples and a few parts, as well as a large parking lot out front to accommodate the many visitors it gets on weekends.
From Gordon’s Well, you can access all of the ISDRA, including a 22 miles stretch of Sand Highway heading north. Just east of Sand Highway path you can visit all of the big dunes, including popular landmarks like Swing Set and the Flag Pole. Continuing further, you will eventually come across the Roadrunner and Gecko Road camping areas. If you decide to head east from Gecko Road you can experience all the amazing things that Vendor Row has to offer, such as parts, food, and an array of Glamis swag. Continue even further east and you can visit the iconic Glamis Beach Store, right on Route 78. For a full list of GPS coordinates of the major points of interest, take note of http://www.duneguide.com/sand_dune_guide_isdra_gps.htm. It’s a great reference guide of where to go.
One of the major advantages of camping at Gordon’s Well rather than the north side is that it also provides easy access to the dunes on the south side of I-8. Simply driving over I-8 using the Gordon’s Well Exit overpass, you will instantly see the US/Mexico border fence directly in front of you. Border Patrol is very active in the area, but as long as you stay away from the fence and aren’t acting suspiciously, they will not bother you.
From this point, head east through the Buttercup, Midway and Gray’s Well camping areas to access the dunes. Several famous movie scenes have been filmed in that area, including a scene from the Star Wars movie Return of the Jedi. There are still faint remnants of the set, including a geocache that has been placed there to commemorate it.
If you are into history, a spot worth venturing to would be a section of an old plank road on the south side of I-8. Built in 1915, the road spanned the dunes between California and Arizona. Today, a fence surrounds the section of road, aiding in its preservation. There are also interpretive panels portraying its rich history.
One important thing to note for your planning is that camping permits are required anywhere within the ISDRA. Thankfully there are several places to purchase them at the dunes, but interestingly enough, not at Gordons Well. For convenience, these permits can be purchased in advance online and from many businesses throughout southern California and Arizona. Instructions and a list of retailers can be found at http://isdpermits.net/.
Another permit that will be required is a campfire permit, but it is free and easy to obtain. The application can be found at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/. The only requirement is to watch a short instructional video and take an 8 question test. Simply print it out and keep it with you wherever you plan to ignite that nighttime centerpiece. For a more complete read on the BLM rules and regulations while in the dunes, refer to https://www.blm.gov/visit/imperial-sand-dunes/rules-and-regulations
Gordons Well definitely offers more elbow room and a little quieter vibe than the well-known northern hot spots. There’s no loss of points of interest or ride destinations, not to mention It will also give you easier access to dune icons such as the Duner’s Diner, the sand drags, and it’s easier to spend more time in the dunes south of Interstate 8. When planning a trip to the southwest’s sand box, don’t forget to look south and consider Gordon’s Well for a change of pace, enjoy the open space, and get the opportunity to experience more history of the area. The entire UTV Sports crew frequents this area, so maybe we’ll cross paths and share stories!
