West of Riyadh, along the road towards Makkah, the desert turns into tall dunes of deep orange-red sand. The area is a weekend favourite for dune driving, quad bikes, sandboarding and desert camps.
Rental operators and tour companies gather along the road, and many camps offer dinner and evenings under the stars in the cooler months.
Visitor tips
- Only drive on dunes with experience and a second vehicle.
- Lower tyre pressure before entering soft sand.
- Choose licensed operators for quad bikes and camps.




