If you have future plans to visit some sand dunes as part of a vacation, there are a few things you should know before making this trip to help ensure that you and everyone else in your party stays safe and has a great time.
To help you see just what these things are, here are three tips for visiting sand dunes, whether this is your first time on this type of terrain or you consider yourself an old pro.
Protect Your Feet
While you might have visions in your head of walking in sand dunes just like you would with sand on the beach, sand dunes often have a few more dangers that you’ll need to worry about when it comes to going barefoot.
Depending on the time of year that you’re visiting the sand dunes, the sand could be extremely hot during the day. And if this is the case, you’re going to want to wear shoes that will protect your feet, as hot sand can quickly start to burn your skin and really ruin your day. Additionally, you’ll also want to protect your feet from any critters that could be in the sand where you’re visiting. And because you can’t trust that other visitors have taken care of the land as well as you do, you also need to protect your feet from dangers like broken glass or other trash.
Be Safe When Riding The Dunes
One of the reasons you might be headed to some sand dunes in the first place is to ride your side-by-side up and down the dunes. And while this can be very fun for all involved, you’ll want to make sure that you’re being safe to avoid getting hurt.
If you’re not used to riding on sand dunes, maintaining your momentum and getting enough clearance over crests of the dunes will be key. Keep in mind, however, that if there are other riders on the dunes with you, you’ll want to give others a wide berth and keep an eye out for their flags so that you don’t have a collision. And because sand can be hard on these kinds of machines, it’s also wise to have side-by-side replacement parts handy in case you need them.
Prepare For Extreme Weather
While most places state that the weather there can change on a dime, most sand dunes are serious about this claim. In many areas with sand dunes, storms can quickly roll in, high winds can blow, and temperatures can rise and drop rapidly. So before you plan to spend a day out on the dunes, make sure you’re prepared for all kinds of weather.
If you’re going to be visiting some sand dunes soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for a great time.