Although much of the attraction to this State park involves picnicking, camping and sand surfing; there is also a 1/4 nature trail that allows hikers to view bird and local wildlife.

Monahans Sandhills State Park consists of 3840 acres of sand dunes, some up to 70 feet high, in Ward and Winkler Counties, about a half-hour's drive west of Odessa.

Although much of the attraction to this State park involves picnicking, camping and sand surfing; there is also a 1/4 nature trail that allows hikers to view bird and local wildlife.

Additionally the Dunagan Visitor Center features hands-on exhibits of the cultural and natural history of the Sandhills, including Dune Dynamics, Permian Basin Heritage, and Wildlife Habitat. Scenic windows offer spectacular viewing of birds and other wildlife as they come to food and water.

Flora/Fauna: The park is only a small portion of a dune field that extends about 200 miles from south of Monahans westward and north into New Mexico. Most of these dunes are stabilized by vegetation, but the park is one area where many dunes are still active. Active dunes grow and change shape in response to seasonal, prevailing winds, so the visitor may experience a dynamic landscape.

Fresh water occurs at shallow depths within the dunefield and sometimes stands in shallow ponds in low areas between dunes. A quiet vigil near such ponds at dusk or dawn is the best way to observe wildlife such as mule deer, gray fox, coyote, bobcat, possum, wild hog, porcupine, skunk, ground squirrel, jack rabbit, and cottontail.

Directions: From Odessa, TX, Travel Interstate 20 and Exit Mile Marker #86 to Park Road 41.

Elevation: 2,724 feet

Distance: 1/4 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Visitor Information

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