Death Valley, Eureka Dunes Damage

[Kent R]

This is a couple of weeks old but maybe someone someone saw something. Remember "See Something Say Something"

Eureka dunegrass incident - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

The National Park Service (NPS) seeks help identifying the person or people who illegally drove on Eureka Dunes in late December or early January. The vehicles caused significant damage to rare plants that are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

www.nps.gov

 

[Renegade]

Thought all dunes were driving prohibited.

Sand Dunes - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

All of the dunes in Death Valley National Park are protected as wilderness, off-road vehicle travel is not permitted anywhere in the park.

Yet, I recently watched a video a of well-known U-tuber driving all over dunes with his buddies in DV.

So are some legal or not? Going there next month so would like to know what is reportable or not.

 

[Kent R]

Thought all dunes were driving prohibited.

Sand Dunes - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

All of the dunes in Death Valley National Park are protected as wilderness, off-road vehicle travel is not permitted anywhere in the park.

Yet, I recently watched a video a of well-known U-tuber driving all over dunes with his buddies in DV.

So are some legal or not? Going there next month so would like to know what is reportable or not.

All illegal in National Parks and National Preserves like the Mojave National Preserve.

 

[Renegade]

All illegal in National Parks and National Preserves like the Mojave National Preserve.

45:00, at Russels Camp, then onto the dunes. 46:00, (also saw a drone in the air 46:50), does not seem they were only ones there. Not sure which dunes, but not likely they left the park, as the next POI they are at is exiting DV to get on Titus Canyon trail.

Not looking for trouble, but if there are legal dunes, I want to scout it out.

 

[Kent R]

45:00, at Russels Camp, then onto the dunes. 46:00, (also saw a drone in the air 46:50), does not seem they were only ones there. Not sure which dunes, but not likely they left the park, as the next POI they are at is exiting DV to get on Titus Canyon trail.

Not looking for trouble, but if there are legal dunes, I want to scout it out.

I think they are at Dumont OHV just south of the park. This would line up with the days travel.

Also one of the members of the group is a guide, so once I saw a drone out filming it made me suspect they were out of the park.

Also this trip they were on was in 2021, the damage in the park was late 2024 or early 2025.

Thanks for the link!!

 

[Renegade]

I think they are at Dumont OHV just south of the park. This would line up with the days travel.

Also one of the members of the group is a guide, so once I saw a drone out filming it made me suspect they were out of the park.

Also this trip they were on was in 2021, the damage in the park was late 2024 or early 2025.

Thanks for the link!!

Right, didnt think guide would violate rules that is why I thought it was legal, but legal because they were out of park. Video might not been in exact order of events. Saw other videos from that guide, he does route often.

thx

ETA

Was not suggesting they did the damage, I understood the dates.

 

[Kent R]

@OBB Did you guys happen to see anyone on the dunes when you went through?

 

[MOAK]

No. If it's that darn important, put it in an arboretum California thinks all of its darn animals and plants are precious To the point where It's ridiculous. No one cares about the desert As long as it doesn't look like a landfill.

Whoa- cmon man, you cannot possibly be serious with your comment. You and people that think as you do are the reason that I have maintained since the beginning of these forums that overlanding is not, nor should be for, everyone. You need to stay home and watch TV.

 

[Kent R]

No. If it's that darn important, put it in an arboretum California thinks all of its darn animals and plants are precious To the point where It's ridiculous. No one cares about the desert As long as it doesn't look like a landfill.

Just as a clarification this is a National Park and has absolutely nothing to do with California politics.