"Please follow our mini buggy driving rules for safe operation of our buggys while cruising the Sand Lake Dunes in Oregon"
Mini Buggy Operation Rules
1. RIDE SOBER. Drug and/or alcohol use is prohibited. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
2. NO EXTREME RIDING, NO DRAG RACING, KEEP ALL TIRES ON THE GROUND, AND NO DONUTS. There's a potential to flip the buggy. Tires can lose the air seal, and it may not be noticeable until a later time. Remount charge is $10 per tire. Impact fee is $35 minimum. Tip over / Rollover charge is $1000 minimum. No Exceptions. Any charge may exceed the cost of the repair.
3. STAY OUT OF THE TRAILS. This vehicle is illegal in the trails. Ride only on the open sand. Do not go near any trees or their branches. Flags tend to break within the trees, and you will be ticketed for driving a vehicle on the sand without a flag. We charge $35 minimum per scratch.
4. STAY AWAY FROM THE OCEAN AND SALTY SAND. Do not drive out onto the beach. The salty beach sand, wet or dry, corrodes the metal finishes and you may be charged. Salt water is highly corrosive to the electrical parts and could cause the vehicle to stall. Quicksand pockets can bring your vehicle to a sudden stop. Salt corrosion fee is $100 minimum. Also, please avoid driving through any surface water elsewhere in the dunes.
5. RIDE SAFELY, DRIVE DEFENSIVELY. Practice handling your machine until you are confident. Carefully choose the places to ride. Watch for obstacles like stumps and rocks and other riders at all times. Watch for the flags of other riders and don’t assume that other riders see you.
6. DO NOT OPERATE AT UNSAFE SPEEDS. Excessive speed may cause you to lose control of your vehicle causing rollover, collision, or throw you completely out. GO SLOW on rocky or paved areas. Operating this vehicle on pavement may seriously affect handling and control.
7. USE CAUTION WHEN APPROACHING THE CREST OF THE DUNES. Collisions occur often because neither rider sees the other until it is too late. Please post a spotter, a person on an ATV watching for traffic near the crest.
8. AN ADULT MUST SUPERVISE THEIR CHILDREN ON ATV'S. The Park Ranger will stop you with a warning if youths under 16 are not within your control or you cannot provide immediate assistance while they operate their ATVs. No more than 50’ for experienced riders, and less if your child has had no experience in the sand. Make sure that he/she knows and follows all the General Rules and that the ATV is operated properly. We insist that all minors have your full attention at all times. The Primary Party is responsible for mechanical breakdowns and damage due to improper operation.
9. STAY AWAY FROM AREAS THAT LOOK TOO STEEP (15 DEGREE INCLINE MAX), OR APPEAR TO HAVE NO OTHER WAY OUT. Stay off the face of the bowls. Our buggies are not powerful enough for the very steepest dunes. If you cannot ascend a hill, try to quickly turn down hill, or stop and back down carefully. There is a rescue charge for getting stuck in these areas. We do not reimburse for towing.
10. DO NOT SPIN TIRES WHEN YOU ARE STUCK. This will only dig deeper and will wear out or break the clutch, (replacement charges apply) leaving you stranded. When stuck, immediately stop, try reducing your load, select low gear and switch to Lock, reversing, or clear the sand around tires or under the buggy. Most folks are nice and will help you if you need help. Again, we do not reimburse for towing.
11. DO NOT TOW A VEHICLE HEAVIER THAN THE BUGGY. Please, apply the tow strap only at the front or back tie points of the buggy. Not the roll bar, muffler, axle, A-frame, or steering. If someone is kind enough to pull you, take charge of where you want your end of the strap to avoid damage to your vehicle.
12. OBEY ALL POSTED SIGNS. READ THE POSTED RULES IN THE RIDING AREA AND KIOSK. Operate ATV’s on approved land only with the utmost caution and in full compliance with all applicable laws of the State of Oregon.
13. VEHICLE MAINTENANCE. Before each ride, • Make sure the tires look properly inflated, 7-10 lbs of pressure stock tires, 5 lbs of pressure paddles. • Check the gas gauge, and refuel carefully. Do not get sand or water in the reservoir. • AVOID ENGINE OVERUSE. Shut off buggy to allow cool down time while parked. • Do not clean the buggy before returning it. If you attempt to wipe sand from the buggy you will scratch the finish. We rinse any sand right off with a hose and wash the buggy during our final inspection. • If you ride in any mud, including “surf mud”, you can expect to pay $45 mud clean-up fee. Salt clean-up fee is $100 minimum.
14. YOU MUST WEAR A HELMET WHILE OPERATING ANY OF OUR ATVS. Chin straps must be fastened. Take care of your assigned gear. Please do not leave your helmet in the sand or drop it on the ground. Adjust helmet visors carefully so as not to break them. Take extra care to protect the goggle lens by placing the goggle up to your eyes and then stretch the strap over the helmet top. Do not store your goggles by stretching them over the visor or the nose of the helmet.
15. CONTACT AUTHORITIES IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER PARTY. Please involve the park authorities and exchange information with other riders for your insurance company.
16. REPORT ALL DAMAGES AND LOSS. • Do not leave a vehicle unattended. The named operator is responsible for his/her ATV at all times. Any damage or loss to ATV’s or equipment will be charged to the credit card of the primary party listed on rental agreement. • We appreciate you letting us know upon returning about any damage or incidents upfront. Our complete inspection is 72 hours max