Sand Hollow Whip Flag Rules

Look across Sand Mountain on any busy afternoon and you’ll see tall orange and red flags bobbing over the dunes. They aren’t decoration. Utah requires a whip flag on every machine on its designated dunes, and on blind sand crests that flag is often the first thing another rider sees.

What Utah law says

Utah’s off-highway vehicle equipment law says a machine running on designated sand dunes must carry a safety flag that is red or orange, at least 6 by 12 inches, and mounted so the flag sits at least 8 feet above level ground. A state rule then names the dunes where that applies: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Little Sahara, and the Big Sand Mountain area in Washington County, which is the Sand Mountain riding area next to Sand Hollow State Park.

Dirt bikes get one exception. A motorcycle rider can mount the flag on the helmet instead, as long as it sits at least 18 inches above the rider’s head.

Tall flags let other riders spot you over the top of a dune.

Why the flag matters on the dunes

• Dunes hide what’s on the other side. When two machines climb the same ridge from opposite sides, neither driver can see the other. A flag 8 feet up clears the crest before your machine does.
• Bowls and troughs swallow machines. Down in a sand bowl, a side-by-side disappears from view. The flag shows where you are.
• It helps if you get stuck. A stopped machine below a ridge is easy to miss. A flag keeps it visible to riders coming over the top.

The flag only works if you ride the dunes the right way too. Slow down before every crest, never stop on top of a ridge, and climb straight up and down the face. Our dune riding guide covers it step by step.

Flag tips from the trail

• Mount it solid. Use the flag mount on the machine’s cage or rack, not a loose zip tie. Bumps and whoops loosen a weak mount fast.
• Check it at every stop. Make sure the pole is still straight and the flag is still on it.
• Riding after dark? Utah also requires headlights and taillights between sunset and sunrise. A lighted whip helps others see you, so keep a red or orange flag on it too.
• Our rentals come with one. Every machine you rent from us already has its whip flag mounted. Riding your own machine? We sell whip flags too, so you can pick one up before you head out.

Climb straight up the face and ease off before the crest.

Other rules to know before you ride Sand Mountain

• OHV education course. Utah requires the free online OHV education course for every adult driver, and you can’t rent a machine until it’s done. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
• Helmets. Utah strongly advises helmets for every rider. Helmets and goggles come with every rental.
• No jumping, donuts, fishtailing or power sliding. And the faster you drive, the slower you turn the wheel, so you don’t roll in the sand.
• Know where you can get on. The Sand Hollow trail map shows the free Water Tanks entrance, the state park tunnel and the popular trails.

Bringing kids? Read riding the dunes with kids before you go.