Kelso Dunes, Sand dune field in Mojave National Preserve, California.

Kelso Dunes is a sand dune field in the Mojave Desert with sand formations rising steeply above the surrounding plain. The area spreads across multiple kilometers of rolling terrain composed of fine sand sculpted by wind into different shapes and heights.

The dunes formed thousands of years ago when an ancient lake dried up and wind transported the exposed sediments into large sand mounds. This process reshaped the landscape as desert conditions continued to evolve.

The dunes are known for "singing sand": visitors who climb to the crests and slide slowly down can set off a low-frequency rumble felt as much as heard, strongest when the sand is very dry. The same effect is reported at Eureka Dunes in California and Sand Mountain in Nevada.

Visitors should arrive early in the morning when temperatures are still manageable and bring plenty of water for the hike. The terrain is demanding and the midday heat can quickly become exhausting.

When people slide down the sandy slopes, the dunes emit a deep, resonant sound, a rare acoustic phenomenon among dunes in North America. This booming effect occurs at only a handful of other dune fields on the continent.