Located west of Yuma, California, near the state’s southeastern borders with Arizona and Mexico, the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (also known as Algodones Dunes, or ISDRA) is the largest mass of sand dunes in the state.

Formed by windblown sands of ancient Lake Cahuilla, the dune system extends over 40 miles (64.4 km) in a band averaging 5 miles (8 km) wide. Dunes often reach heights of 300 feet (91.5 m) above the desert floor, providing outstanding opportunities for recreation.

The dunes are a popular venue for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. Quad bikes, dirt bikes, dune buggies and other types of all-terrain vehicles are often driven or ridden there. People have also been known to ride boogie boards, or simply roll down the dunes. For those looking for something out-of-the-ordinary, the dunes host dry-land sled dog races; various breeds of dogs pull wheeled carts or other forms of transportation, or simply run alongside, (attached to) their owners, down the dunes.

In addition to sandy, bumpy riding terrain, the dunes offer fabulous scenery and opportunities for solitude. They also serve as a home for rare plants, animals, and movie sets.

Portions of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ were filmed at ISDRA. ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’ filmed several scenes with Boba Fett and Jabba the Hutt at the dunes. ‘The Scorpion King’ and ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ also used the site.

However, both the 1984 and 2020 versions of ‘Dune’ were filmed in Jordan and the UAE.

More Info: m.imdb.com