Hey folks…many of my friends have asked me how to get to Juniper Dunes (basically East of Eltopia, WA).
Well…here ya go!
Enjoy!
K
First off, realize that I am sending you to the NORTH entrance which is ONLY open for three months out of the year (March, April, May to be exact). See the sign in the pictures below to understand what I mean.
Secondly, you MUST be very careful how you get there so as not to irritate/annoy the farm/ranch owner(s) that own the road they have graciously allowed the public to use to get to the north entrance. Please don’t drive fast, or kick up dust, or tear up the road or ANYTHING like that, or these kind folks could simply restrict access and that would spell the end of going to this magical place.
Finally…like anything in life: please be smart. Dress appropriately. Protect yourself from the weather, or animals, or other humans as appropriate. Don’t litter. If you see some litter and YOU can pack it out then YOU pack it out.
The toughest part about getting to the actual dunes is AFTER you park at the end of Joy Road.
You must then carefully open (and CLOSE!!) the gate shown in the picture below, walk across a field (that may be in various states of growth/plowing/whatever), go through another gate up a small hill and the trail will then take you to the dunes themselves.
Unfortunately, I can draw the best map, describe it as exactly as I can and you might STILL have trouble finding it. Just persevere and hopefully between your brain and my instructions, you’ll be able to see and experience one of Washington’s wonders.
[A real quick brief history: I went to Juniper Dunes (although I’m pretty sure it was the SOUTH end, which is waaaaay different) with my 4th grade class (Vista Elementary, may God rest Mr. Lane Hinerman’s (our teacher) soul) to catch kangaroo rats (gerbil like creature but with kangaroo legs and a huge tail that it uses to balance…great little rodents!!). Ever since that iconic time, I have sought to go back and once I found it a decade or so ago, I try to take my kids and their friends as much as they like.]
Here is a URL that should give you a Google Maps directions from Pasco, WA out to the end of Joy Road (which is where you park and where you go through a few gates to get onto the Juniper Dunes reservation itself):
Google Maps directions from Pasco to North end entrance
Here’s a shot of the map from the URL above:
Here is the sign you will see at the end of Joy road:
Here is a satellite image showing the parking area and the two gates you go through:
Here’s a higher level satellite image showing the relation of the dunes to the parking area and gates:
One last time people:
- RESPECT the land-owner and their road (Joy Road) that they let us use.
- RESPECT the Juniper Dunes area itself. NO littering. If you see some litter, pick it up if you can and pack it out.
- BE SMART: with clothing, weather, wild animals, other humans, cars, and anything else that has the potential to ruin this for everyone.
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Kevin B. Selby