Eureka Dunes Scenes

21 February 2005

The Eureka Dunes, classified as sief dunes, are believed to be the highest dune systems in California, and certainly the highest in Death Valley National Park, rising more than 680 feet above the floor of the Eureka Valley.   They are second highest only to the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado.   The Eureka Dunes are located generally in the northwestern corner of Death Valley National Park, in southestern end of the Eureka Valley, at an elevation of 3,000 feet at their base.   The Last Chance Range occurs to the east.   The dunes stretch 3 miles long and are about 1 mile wide.

These dunes are home to species unique to desert dune habitats, and contain at least two endemic plant species, the Eureka Dunes Evening-primrose (Oenothera californica ssp. eurekensis) and Eureka [Valley] Dune Grass (Swallenia alexandrae).   Another rare plant, Shining Locoweed or Milkvetch (Astragalus lentiginosus var. micans) also occurs at the dunes.

These dunes also bark or sing, under the right moisture conditions (which needs to be pretty dry); that is, they make particular sounds when walked upon, barking (more of a low booming sound) with each step.   Only a small percentage of the sand dunes of the world sing.

All photographs copyrighted by David L. Magney 2005

Photos of Eureka Dunes