Gecko Rd is a paved road with areas to park right off the road. RIGHT off the road. There are a few pit toilets around. It is the most crowded area. Close to dunes but gets EXTREMELY chopped up on bigger weekends from all the big rails.
The washes are on the other side of the dunes. East Side. It is a hard packed, open area where you can pick and chose where you want to camp. It is more of a "camping" experience. Can get very dusty on bigger weekends. Takes a few minutes or so of wash riding to get to the dunes.
If you want to get into the whole "Quicksand" video type mood, Gecko is the place to be. Big noise, cars, parties, names. All the shit I hate at Glamis.