Monahans Sandhills State Park: Sandboarding, Camping and More

Lauren Fellure

With a landscape that is constantly being sculpted by the West Texas winds, Monahans Sandhills never provides the same experience twice. This state park is a great place to go hiking, sandboarding, camping and even horseback riding!

Monahans State Park

Monahans State Park is an ancient geographical formation made up of dunes and valleys. Sculpted daily by the wind, some areas are home to shrubbery and small animals while others are an open ocean of sand for miles around. 

The area has been inhabited as far back as 12,000 years by Indigenous people and Spanish explorers, all the way up until the late 1800s when the town of Monahans was created as a water stop for steam engines on the Texas and Pacific Railway. The state park was created in 1957 to preserve this stunning landscape and its unique and diverse ecosystem.

There are many things to do here, including:

Spend the Day Exploring 

The dunes heat up quickly in the summer, so hiking in the morning or afternoon is the best way to go for a hike without roasting in the sun. It's important to practice hiking safety, including wearing sun protection, notifying someone of your plans, and bringing the 10 essentials.

Its a difficult trek, with your shoes tending to sink into the soft sand and dunes that can rise as high as 70-plus ft. For this reason, many people tend to go barefoot or bring a pair of good hiking sandals. While it can make hiking harder, this soft sand is perfect for sandboarding - both kids and adults love surfing and sliding down the sandhills. You can rent sand discs at the park headquarters or bring your own board if you have one. 

Monahans state park is home to one of the largest oak forests in the world. Shin oaks, a low growing shrub that grows 3-4 ft tall, cover stabilized dunes across the park. You can also find footprints or hideyholes left by insects, lizards, snakes, rabbits, and birds. (photo) I loved following the tracks of various animals and seeing where they went.

For those who need it, you can borrow a beach wheelchair to use in the sand. It is important to contact the park ahead of time to ensure it is available.

You can also explore by horseback! This park is uniquely known for its 800-acre horseback riding section. The sand here is heavier, with some brush and mesquite trees. There are even amenities specifically for riders, including a dedicated equestrian trailer parking area, potable water, and three campsites.

Camping

RV Life

Monahans is a great place to camp out under the stars. There are 26 campsites in the park, each with water and electricity. With nearly 4000 acres and far from large sources of light pollution, this state park is a great place for both daytime exploration and nighttime stargazing. The windswept dunes look slightly different each day, making camping even more exciting for those who can spot the difference. This park is open year-round, and you can easily make a reservation online to make sure you don’t miss out.

What to Bring

There are no marked paths due to the ever-shifting landscape and many of the best spots in the park are more than a mile off the highway. While this offers a peaceful, wide-open view and allows you to explore the diverse desert flora and fauna, it also makes it important to have a safe way to find your way back and plenty of supplies. If you're going to be camping, make sure you bring everything you need and reserve your spot beforehand. Just a few things you should pack whether you are camping or exploring for the day:

• Hiking sandals

• Sun protection

• Food and water

• Sand slide - you can rent one at the visitor's center

• Compass and offline map 

• Trash bag- I found a few pieces of litter while exploring. It is always a good idea to have a bag with you to not only store your own trash but also pick up after others.
  

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I am constantly surprised by the unique beauty of Texas landscapes. While Monahans Sandhills may seem uninviting from the outside, its beauty, history and diversity of life, along with all the activities and excitement you can handle once you’re there, make it a state park you don’t want to miss.