Nevada is in a rare position among top tourism states because the vast majority of its tourism industry is concentrated in one single location. Las Vegas is world-famous as a prime resort destination, thanks to its opulent casinos, luxury hotels, ample entertainment options, and other once-in-a-lifetime indulgences. Of course, even “Sin City” has its hidden gems. For example, Las Vegas’ Flamingo Wildlife Habitat provides a tranquil escape from the amped-up energy of the Strip. But Nevada as a whole is much, much bigger than its most famous city. While most of the rest of the state gets overlooked, travelers who step out of Las Vegas can easily find some of the country’s most underrated natural wonders — case in point: the stunning Sand Mountain Recreation Area.
Without even knowing anything about it, the name “Sand Mountain” should give you a good idea of what to expect there. Nevada’s deserts are largely known simply as the backdrop to the dramatic contrast of Las Vegas. But as a unique desert environment, Nevada’s Great Basin contains amazing desert scenery that rivals anything you would find in Arizona or Utah. Sand Mountain, per its name, is a massive dune set against dramatic desert scenery in the heart of the Nevada wilderness. And while Sand Mountain is certainly gorgeous to look at, it’s also an underrated spot for memorable outdoor adventures in a side of Nevada that few ever experience.
This singing sand mountain protects notable historical sites
Dunes are the namesake feature of some of America’s most unique national parks, like Indiana’s Indiana Dunes, Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes, and New Mexico’s White Sands. You can also find breathtaking dune fields in places like California’s Imperial Sand Dunes. But towering dunes are rare enough that a literal “sand mountain” is a truly special sight to behold, and Nevada’s Sand Mountain is nothing if not special. Though its exact size is constantly changing, Sand Mountain is generally around 600 feet tall and around 3.5 miles long. The large quantity of sand needed to build such an impressive dune comes courtesy of the ancient Lake Lahontan, which dried up around 9,000 years ago and left massive piles of sand behind.
As beautiful as Sand Mountain is to look at, it’s also beautiful to hear. This is because Sand Mountain consists of something called “singing sand,” or sand that produces an audible sound in certain conditions. This phenomenon doesn’t happen with just any sand pile. To “sing,” sand has to be made up of a specific type of silica; have small, round grains; and have a particular level of humidity. Depending on the conditions, Sand Mountain can produce sounds ranging from a “low-pitched boom” to an eerie “moan” to high-pitched “singing!”…