Monahans Sandhills State Park is noted for the presence of sand dunes up to 70 feet (21 m) high.

Although desert-like, the Monahans Sandhills are not a desert; they are a part of a semi-arid ecosystem (average annual rainfall 12.3 inches (310 mm)) characterized by the presence of both groundwater and relatively nutrient-poor windblown sand.

[3] The Monahans Sandhills are part of the Permian Basin of hydrocarbon formations, and some oil production continues in and around the state park.

[3] Visitors practice several local forms of recreation at the Monahans Sandhills, such as sandboarding, 'sand football', 'sand surfing', and sand tobogganing.

Winds from the southeast in the summer, from the northwest in the winter, and the southwest during spring, influence dune shape.