The Fee Area Covers the entire Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area and its 1-mile planning area boundary. This includes, but is not limited to, Buttercup, Gecko Rd, Glamis, Gordon’s Well/Dunebuggy Flats, Mammoth Wash, Ogilby, Osborne, along both sides of the Coachella Canal and Ted Kipf Rd.

Permit must be displayed immediately upon arrival. Permits can be purchased on-site upon arrival or prior to your arrival.

Permits are required from October 1 through April 15 each year.

One permit is needed per primary vehicle. A primary vehicle is any street legal vehicle used for transportation to the recreation site. A permit is required at all times while in the fee area. Please keep your permit until you exit the fee area.

Purchased Off-Site: 

• Season permit: $185 – valid from October 1 through April 15 each year

• Weekly permit: $55 – valid for seven consecutive days

Purchased On-Site: 

• Season permit: $185 – valid from October 1 through April 15 each year

• Weekly permit: $70 – valid for seven consecutive days

Save time and money by purchasing your permit at one of the multiple off-site locations prior to arriving at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA).

• • Various vendors located throughout CA, NV and AZ. See Store Locator Tab at top of the page.
  • Online: Click the 'Buy Now' button on this website at the top of page.
  • On-site (within Imperial Sand Dunes fee boundary):
  • Ranger stations: Cahuilla (off Hwy 78 and Gecko Rd.) and Buttercup Ranger Stations (off Interstate 8 and Gray Wells Rd.)
  • Various dune-area vendors

Fees were raised in 2025, previously they had not been raised since 2013. 
BLM has taken several steps to keep fees low, such as increasing fee compliance, increasing efficiency of operations, reducing costs, applying for private grants, applying for OHV (Green Sticker) grants, and partnering with private and public organizations.
Even with these measures listed above, the previous fees, grants and federal funding have not been enough to cover increasing operating expenditures. For a breakdown of revenue and expenses of ISDRA for the past few years, see BLM El Centro Field Office's FLREA reports here: https://www.blm.gov/california/flrea-revenue-and-spending-plans/annual-report/el-centro-field-office

Yes. Season permits are sold as a sticker (adhesive decal) that must be permanently affixed to the windshield of the primary vehicle.

The season permit must be adhered to your vehicle at all times while in the required permit area of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA).  The adhesive supplied on the sticky side of the permit must be used to attach the sticker.  Place the permit sticker on the exterior driver’s side and lower corner of the front windshield.  If the permit will be hidden due to a windshield cover, then adhere it to the exterior side of the window directly behind the RV driver.  Season permits are non-transferable.

• Why is the Season Permit a Sticker?
  • To reduce illegal sharing and transfers. Hangtags were often shared between visitors, which reduced compliance and increased program costs. Stickers eliminate this loophole because they cannot be easily moved between vehicles.
  • To keep permit costs lower while preserving a season‑long option. BLM evaluated alternatives (including eliminating season permits or using costly hangtags). Stickers allowed continued availability of a season permit at a lower price point.
  • To improve enforcement and visibility. Stickers are durable, bright, tamper‑evident, and harder to duplicate or remove.

 Reduces illegal transfers. Internal stickers are easier to remove and swap between vehicles, undermining compliance.

Maximizes visibility for law enforcement. External placement allows quick verification without entering camps or stopping vehicles, reducing enforcement costs and minimizing intrusive compliance checks.

Consistency with other permit and registration programs. External windshield stickers are standard in many systems, including U.S. military base access, state vehicle registration, OHV registration, and private parking programs.

Supports tamper resistance. Stickers are designed to show “VOID” if peeled, and external placement improves adhesive performance and reduces concealment.

No. The season permit must be adhered to your vehicle at all times while in the required permit area of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA). The adhesive supplied on the sticky side of the permit must be used to attach the sticker.

Place the permit sticker on the exterior driver’s side, lower corner of the front windshield. If the permit will be hidden due to a windshield cover, then adhere it to the exterior side of the window directly behind the RV driver.

Unless it is out of the fee period or fee area, each primary vehicle must have a season or weekly permit displayed.

Permits are non-transferable. If you sell your vehicle with your permit on it, you will need to purchase another permit.

Unfortunately, no. 

Visitors can stop at the Buttercup and Cahuilla Ranger Stations for up to 30 minutes without needing a permit.

Visitors can stop at Osborne Overlook, the Plank Road Cultural Resource Site, or the Watchable Wildlife Area for up to 2 hours without needing a permit.

No. America the Beautiful passes only apply to “entry” and “use” fees. America the Beautiful program discounts do not apply to the “noncommercial special recreation permit fees” which are charged in this off-highway vehicle area. Please see the back of your America the Beautiful pass for more details.

Purchasing a permit does not give you the right to break the law. Under certain circumstances, a law enforcement officer may revoke your permit, evict parties temporarily or for the season, if warranted. To avoid such actions, adherence to all laws are vital to have a safe and successful weekend. If your permit has been revoked, you will not be refunded.

Your vehicle may need additional registration. For out of state vehicles, learn more here: https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=25669

• • Fee-free days are authorized under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) (16 U.S.C. Chapter 87, section 6804(e)), which allows an agency to establish fee-free days on the lands they manage. Expanded amenity fees and other fees, such as permits for Special Recreation Areas stay in effect.
  • It is at the discretion of the Authorized Officer to designate certain days as fee-free to promote the agency's commitment to enhancing public access and to support our local communities and partners.
  • Upcoming fee-free dates will be provided on this website toward the beginning of each dune season.