Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park, located in southern Colorado, is a captivating destination that showcases the unique beauty of towering sand dunes set against the backdrop of majestic mountains. Spanning over 150,000 acres, this national park offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to explore diverse ecosystems and engage in various recreational activities.

Situated in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range, the Great Sand Dunes National Park boasts the tallest sand dunes in North America, with heights reaching over 700 feet. The dunes were formed over thousands of years by the accumulation of sand deposits from the Rio Grande River. As the wind carries the sand grains towards the mountains, they settle and create the enchanting sandy landscape that we see today.

Home to an incredible array of plant and animal species, the park is a nature lover's paradise. Various ecosystems can be found within its boundaries, including alpine tundra, grasslands, montane forests, and wetlands. Additionally, the park is an important habitat for several threatened and endangered species, such as the Preble's meadow jumping mouse and the Mexican spotted owl.

Great Sand Dunes National Park offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Hiking is particularly popular, with trails that meander through the dunes, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Sandboarding and sand sledding are also exhilarating activities enjoyed by many, as visitors can slide down the sandy slopes on specially designed boards or sleds.

For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the park's Medano Creek provides an excellent spot for picnicking, sunbathing, and even splashing around during the spring and early summer months when the water levels are higher. The creek's unique sand deposits create small beach-like areas, perfect for unwinding and enjoying the serene atmosphere.

Nearby attractions to the Great Sand Dunes National Park include the picturesque Zapata Falls, a stunning waterfall tucked away in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The San Luis Valley, known for its rich cultural heritage and charming small towns, is also worth exploring. Visitors can immerse themselves in local history, visit art galleries, or even participate in wildlife watching tours.

Overall, Great Sand Dunes National Park offers an unparalleled experience with its mesmerizing sand dunes, diverse ecosystems, and numerous recreational activities. It is a destination that combines natural beauty and adventure, making it a must-visit location for nature enthusiasts, hikers, photographers, and families alike.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is located at the eastern edge of the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, this magnificent park boasts an extraordinary blend of natural wonders. From the towering snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which provide a breathtaking backdrop, to the seemingly endless expanse of sand dunes that stretch across the valley floor, the park's location is truly unparalleled. Situated near the small town of Mosca, the Great Sand Dunes National Park is a geographical marvel that captivates visitors with its unique blend of mountain grandeur and desert-like beauty.

Address & Contact

Visitor Center
11999 State Highway 150
Mosca, CO 81146
Driving Directions
Phone: (719) 378-6395
Web: Link

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park would be in May or June. During these months, the average maximum temperatures range from 66°F to 79°F, creating enjoyable weather for outdoor activities. Additionally, the average monthly precipitation is low, with May experiencing 1.1 inches and June having only 0.6 inches. These months also attract a significant number of visitors. So, visiting during this time allows for pleasant weather while avoiding excessive crowds.

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Great Sand Dunes National Park are: Astronomy Stargazing Food Picnicking Guided Tours Hands-On Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs Arts and Culture Biking Camping Backcountry Camping Car or Front Country Camping Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use) Climbing Hiking Front-Country Hiking Fishing Backcountry Hiking Hunting and Gathering Hunting Skiing Cross-Country Skiing Auto and ATV Horse Trekking Horseback Riding Tubing Snow Play Snowshoeing Swimming Mountain Biking Group Camping RV Camping Freshwater Fishing Fly Fishing Dining Arts and Crafts Volunteer Vacation Auto Off-Roading Mountain Climbing Live Music Horse Camping (see also camping) Freshwater Swimming Water Skiing Craft Demonstrations Compass and GPS Off-Trail Permitted Hiking River Tubing Orienteering Downhill Skiing

Topics

Learn about these topics at Great Sand Dunes National Park: Animals Birds Geology Groundwater Freshwater Springs Night Sky Archeology Arts Native American Heritage Westward Expansion Cats (wild) Fish Fire River and Riparian Rock Landscapes and Features Trails Unique Species Wilderness Colonization and Settlement Explorers and Expeditions Military The Gold Rush Arctic Tundra African American Heritage Painting Photography Asian American Heritage Science, Technology and Innovation Climate Change Foothills, Plains and Valleys Forests and Woodlands Grasslands Meadows Lakes Mountains Natural Sounds Astronomy Scenic Views Wetlands Infantry and Militia Deciduous Forests Bison Elk Coniferous Forests Aquifers Volcanoes Mineral Deposits Prairies Ranches Homesteading Dunes Sculpture Hispanic American Heritage Latino American Heritage Ancient Seas Impact Craters Farming and Agriculture

Visitor Centers

Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center

The visitor center offers restrooms, a water fill station, interactive exhibits, and a 20-minute video about the park. Park rangers are available to answer questions and help you plan your time.

Passport Stamp locations

The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center.

Campsites within or near Great Sand Dunes National Park

Backpacking Campsites in the Dunes or Forest

The most popular and unique backpacking option is camping in the 30-square-mile dunefield, beyond the major dune ridgeline (about 1.5 mile hike minimum over dunes). Enjoy wide open views of the starry sky or a bright moonlit night. Designated sites are also available in the trees of the foothills, or camping is available in higher forests of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. Reserve national park backpacking permits for the dunes or foothills through recreation.gov
Fees (US$): 6.00 (Backpacking Permit Fee)
Total Campsites: 27
Toilets: No Toilets
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites

Roadside camping is permitted at 21 campsites in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve beginning 5.2 miles from where the road begins near Piñon Flats Campground. These designated sites are free of charge and first-come, first-served. All 21 sites fill on summer weekends. Passable only in the warmer months and only with high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles. This road crosses areas of deep sand, traverses Medano Creek nine times, and passes through excellent habitat for bighorn sheep.
Fees (US$): 0.00 (Free Camping in Sites along Medano Pass Road)
Total Campsites: 21
Toilets: No Toilets
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Piñon Flats Campground

Piñon Flats is a National Park Service campground located one mile north of the Visitor Center, open April through October. All sites are by reservation on recreation.gov. Individual sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance, and group sites can be reserved up to 1 year in advance.
Fees (US$): 20.00 (Individual Site, Per Night)
Total Campsites: 91
Toilets: Flush Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Hotels within or near Great Sand Dunes National Park

Rodeway Inn Alamosa

When you stay at Rodeway Inn Alamosa in Alamosa, you'll be near the airport, within a 5-minute drive of San Luis Valley Museum and Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, express check-out, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 333 Santa Fe Avenue, Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Web: Link

Days Inn by Wyndham Alamosa

Located in Alamosa, Days Inn by Wyndham Alamosa is within a 5-minute drive of San Luis Valley Museum and Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. Featured amenities include a business center and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 223 Santa Fe Avenue, Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Web: Link

Hampton Inn Alamosa, CO

When you stay at Hampton Inn Alamosa, CO in Alamosa, you'll be near the airport, within a 5-minute drive of Adams State University and Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-in. Planning an event in Alamosa? This hotel has facilities measuring 675 square feet (61 square meters), including a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 710 Mariposa Street, Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Web: Link

Valley Motel

With a stay at Valley Motel in Alamosa, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Adams State University and Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. Featured amenities include a business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 2051 Main Street, Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Web: Link

Riverside Inn

With a stay at Riverside Inn in Alamosa, you'll be within a 15-minute walk of San Luis Valley Museum and Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 250 Broadway Avenue, Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Web: Link

Dunes Inn

With a stay at Dunes Inn, you'll be centrally located in Alamosa, steps from San Luis Valley Museum and within a 5-minute walk of Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. Featured amenities include coffee/tea in a common area and a vending machine. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary (available on request).
Address: 425 Main St, Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Web: Link

Dunes Inn

With a stay at Dunes Inn in Alamosa, you'll be within a 5-minute walk of San Luis Valley Museum and Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. A roundtrip airport shuttle is available for a surcharge.
Address: 425 Main St, Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Web: Link