Sand Mountain Recreation Area Faces Rising Visitor Safety Concerns and Environmental Challenges

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Sand Mountain Recreation Area, located approximately 25 miles east of Fallon, has seen an increase in recreationist’s during holiday weekends. Within the last few years, Sand Mountain visitation during Easter weekend has increased to approximately 2,500 visitors.
The increase in visitation has created human health and safety issues including loss of human life, burn injuries, property damage, fires, trash pollution, human waste pollution, and resource damage.
Weather variations continuously affect the dunes, leading to consistent alterations in the landscape. This past winter has brought significant changes, and riders should remain vigilant about the hazards presented by the shifting terrain, including possible drop-offs that can extend up to 30 feet at certain ridgelines.