covering around 45 square miles of desert, The quartz and feldspar sand travels with the prevailing winds creating a ocean like landscape of meandering and wave like dunes. 

The tallest dune in the Kelso area is the second tallest dune in California as it reaches around 650ft. from the base of the sand.

The vegetation holds a lot of the terrain together which also appears to pace the movement of the dunes erosion and wind travel. 

The dunes also have another feature where they have a booming sound when the winds kick up and piles of sand slowly slide down the face of the dune.

It was really interesting to hear the dunes "vibrate" as we descending down at night.  Each step was like walking on strings of a musical instrument the vibrated a low end sounding noise.

It is my understanding that conditions need to be really dry on the surface but within the dunes.  

There is moisture locked into place by the sand so when surface vibrations are created, the sound is amplified and the waveform vibrations start to shake the sand.

There are some nice campgrounds just to the south of the main trail head which has some trees for shade, a fire pit, and a couple of excellent logs to lay on!

You can access the dunes from the campground and hike right up and onto the ridge  The views are spectacular on the ridge, and this ridge will also connect to the high point.

I highly recommend coming to kelso dunes when the sun is setting as you will have views that are spectacular and unforgettable. Just look out for the ferries and the ranger!