Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area

Please note: the best months to visit are March-May. The remaining months can experience extreme weather. Wilderness area comprised of ancient sand dunes in eastern Washington near the Columbia river. Deep in the heart of the dry, desert country of the lower Columbia Basin sits the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area, the only Bureau of Land Management wilderness in the entire state. Covering just 7,140 acres, it is also the only wilderness area in the state to be completely enclosed by barbed wire--put there not to keep the animals in but to keep the motorcycles and ORVs out. Fortunately, the wire works and the deer and coyotes can leap over or under the wire as they please. The Juniper Dunes Wilderness exists as an oasis of natural wonder just a few minutes drive from the urban sprawl of Pasco. The only trail in this wilderness is an old jeep track that slices across the southern end of the small desert preserve, but no trails are needed here. To experience the wonders of this place, simply disappear into the sand dunes and juniper groves.