We contacted the Outdoor Recreation Planner at the Bureau of Land Management, Spokane Office, and got a first-hand update. Current information about the Juniper Dunes area is available on the BLM web site.
After clicking the following link to the BLM web site, scroll down to the Juniper Dunes section to find links (PDF files) to current information.
The excerpt below is from a story that was published Monday, February 7th, 2005 in the Tri-City Herald.
Access to BLM land blocked
By Anna King, Herald staff writer
The main western access point into the federally owned expanse of undeveloped sand dunes and juniper trees has been blocked off.
The Kennewick man said he recently discovered a barricade of straw, sand and concrete blocking his usual entryway off Peterson Road, a private gravel drive that leads to the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area off Pasco-Kahlotus Highway. Signs posted now say, "Private Property" and "No Trespassing."
Thanks to the efforts of many members from NMA, Eastern Washington Dirt Riders, Yakima Dust Dodgers and other motorized users, the Juniper Dunes Area in Tri-Cities is open again.
The traditional access on Peterson Road is still a private road, but apparently can be used for now. Motorized users will continue to work with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to establish a permanent access road or trail into the riding area.
If you have never ridden this area before, it often makes for a fine late fall, winter or early spring ride when many other areas are closed due to weather and snow.
