What to watch: Looking for a fun and easy Memorial Day getaway? Just under 60 miles west of Midland on I-20 lies Monahans Sandhills State Park, one of West Texas’s most unique destinations. Whether you’re planning a full day of adventure or an overnight camping trip, the park’s towering dunes offer an unforgettable experience for families and friends.

Monahans Sandhills State Park is famous for its Sahara-like dunes that rise to 70 feet tall. The park offers sand sledding, hiking, wildlife viewing, and peaceful camping under the stars.

A recommended Memorial Day itinerary

Leave Midland early to get your fun in before the heat sets in. I recommend leaving between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. for the 55-minute drive. Once you arrive at the park, pay the entry fee for those 13 and over if you haven’t made an online reservation.

Start your visit at the Dunagan Visitor Center, where you can rent sand sleds or discs for just $6 each, make your camp reservations, and grab helpful maps. Then enjoy a day of sledding and surfing down the towering dunes, exploring the shin oak forest, and spotting lizards, birds, and other desert wildlife. The morning light creates beautiful photo opportunities across the dunes.

For lunch, pack a picnic or a barbecue for true Memorial Day fashion and eat at one of the shaded tables in the park. Grills are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Want to eat inside and savor some AC? Take the short drive into Monahans and enjoy a classic West Texas lunch at Pappy’s Bar-B-Q. After lunch, head back to the dunes for more sledding or, if the heat is too intense, make a quick stop in Monahans at the Million Barrel Museum or Roy Orbison Museum before heading home.

Overnight camping is available for those wanting to extend the adventure. Monahans Sandhills State Park offers excellent camping facilities where you can pitch a tent or park an RV among the dunes and enjoy a peaceful night under the West Texas stars. Here are the amenities available:

  • Picnic table
  • Fire ring
  • Water & electric hookup
  • Waist-high grill
  • Restrooms with showers nearby

Don’t want to camp but looking for an affordable break from the sun? The Sandhills also offers a group house with a full kitchen, tables and chairs, a half-bath, covered outdoor seating, and a grill, meeting the needs of a group that prefers AC as part of their getaway.

This would be a perfect option for a big family getaway, giving kids the freedom to explore outside while the adults have a space to relax indoors. Call the park at (432) 943-2092 to reserve this space.

Helpful tips for a great day

  • Start early: The dunes get hot quickly by 12-3 p.m.
  • Bring: Sunscreen, hats, closed-toe shoes, plenty of water, and a blanket for picnicking.
  • Services can sell out on busy weekends, so rent them early.
  • Pets are allowed, on leash and with certain restrictions.
  • The park gate is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.