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National Parks National Parks

Colorado National Parks
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Colorado Vacation Directory
 
 

In the San Luis Valley of Colorado - Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, Photo by Michael Hartzog
Vacation Near The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
 

Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in Southern Colorado. Attracting about 300,000 visitors a year, America's tallest dunes (750') cover 30 square miles and are nestled right next to the Sangre de Cristo mountains, 35 miles northeast of Alamosa. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Great Sand Dunes National Park with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado
The Great Sand Dunes laying in the Shadow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
People on the Great Sand Dunes with Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado, Photo by Michael Hartzog
Hike, Explore, and Discover the Vastness of the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

 

The Visitor Center provides some wonderful information for your tour of the Sand Dunes where you can learn more about the park through a 15-minute video, exhibits, and a bookstore.

Log in front of the Great Sand Dunes, Colorado, Photo by Michael Hartzog
Wade in the Medano Creek Before it Disappears Into the Sand
Sun Flower on the Great Sand Dunes, Colorado, Photo by Michael Hartzog
Water Reappears in Different Ways in the Great Sand Dunes

 

The Sand Dunes offer numerous activities. One of the most popular is hiking, as the area is filled with countless trails. Some of these hikes take a few minutes while others take hours. Hiking to the top of the High Dune is a popular endeavor; though it is not the tallest dune, it appears that way from the visitor center. This hike is not done on a trail; hikers zigzag up the sandy dune for a 650' gain. The view from the top of the dune is worth the effort to get there. Other hikes include the challenging Zapata Falls trail, which takes the hiker to the picturesque Zapata waterfall. For the not so adventurous soul, the Sand Ramp Trail takes you on an easy hike through the dunes. Many of the other trails can be toured with a trail guide, giving insight about the history of the dunes. These trails are beautiful and must be undertaken by foot; bikes are not permitted on the trails.

Ranger program at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado, Photo by the Calkins Family
Participate in the National Park Junior Ranger Program
Sledding down the Great Sand Dunes, Colorado
Sled Down a Dune - A Unique Colorado Experience!

 

Another popular activity is sand-boarding and sand sledding. It's perfect for the skiers/snowboarders who are just itching to get up into the mountains during the summer months. But you can't use the same equipment; sandboards/sleds are specially designed for use on the sand. The best times to go are in Spring and Fall during the early morning hours to beat the heat and daily thunderstorms. Please note: the National Park does not rent boards and sleds.

Other activities include castle building, kite flying contests, summer concerts, and photography workshops sponsored by Friends of the Dunes Inc. Also, if the area has received enough moisture, you can wade in the waters of Medano Creek, which flows at the base of the dunes. Originating as snow on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Medano Creek first flows to high alpine lakes, then through dense spruce and fir forest, beaver meadows and large aspen and cottonwood groves before it reaches the dunes. The water seems to disappear in the sand - only to reappear as ponds and verdant wetlands on the west side of the dunes.

The Park bustles with wildlife; common sightings include mule deer, elk, coyotes, golden and bald eagles, ravens, magpies, and just outside park boundaries bison. Other interesting creatures include insects that have adapted to the sand and are unique to the area.

Downloads

View an area map of the Great Sand Dunes
(Map provided by the U.S. National Park Service)

Directions

From I-25 in Colorado Springs, take exit 146 and head west on Garden of the Gods Road. Follow to its end ("T" intersection) at 30th Street; turn left (south) and go about 1.5 miles. The visitor center will be on the left and the park entrance on the right.
From south: reached by US Highway 160 and Colorado Highway 15.
From west: reached by Highway 17 and County Six Mile Lane.

Places to Stay & Fun Things to Do

Great Sand Dunes Lodge at National Park Web page link icon Photos on page icon
Serenity at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Lodge Rooms: Queen or King beds. WiFi. NEW Glamping Domes and Camper Suites. Stay with us, at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, near Alamosa.
Great Sand Dunes Oasis: Campground, RV Park, Cabins Web page link icon Photos on page icon
Striking oasis views of Dunes in San Luis Valley. CAMPGROUND: camper cabins, full hookup RV park, tenting area. 30 miles NE of Alamosa, at the entrance to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
PathFinders 4x4 Jeep Rentals and Tours Web page link icon
Be a PathFinders get off the beaten path explore our mountains like never before! Rentals and Tours discover the historical heritage of the San Luis Valley. 4X4 tours inside Great Sand Dunes National Park!
Rustic Rook Resort Glamping Near Great Sand Dunes  Web page link icon Photos on page icon
Glamp near Great Sand Dunes National Park! Dog friendly Rustic Rook Resort has canvas cabin luxury camping tents: premium linens, porch views of Milky Way and sunrise, breakfast, USB stations, s'mores.

More Activities & Information

Alamosa, Colorado includes: Blanca, Capulin, Center, Fort Garland, Hooper, Mosca, San Luis, Sanford

San Luis Valley - Northern, Colorado includes: Crestone, Mineral Hot Springs, Moffat, Saguache, Villa Grove

National Parks and Monuments in Colorado


Argo Mill and Tunnel • Aztec Ruins National Monument • Bandelier National Monument • Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park • Blue Mesa Reservoir/Curecanti National Recreation Area • Browns Canyon National Monument • Canyons of the Ancients National Monument • Chaco Culture National Historical Park • Chimney Rock National Monument • Colorado National Monument • Comanche National Grassland • Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad • Dinosaur National Monument • Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area • Garden Park Fossil Area • Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Click to return to main Colorado National Park Map

• Hanging Lake National Natural Landmark • Hovenweep National Monument • Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site • Lost Creek Scenic Area • Mesa Verde National Park • Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas Natural National Landmark • Pawnee National Grasslands • Pikes Peak National Landmark • Raton Mesa and Pass National Landmark • Red Rocks Park National Historic Landmark • Rocky Mountain National Park • Roxborough State Park National Natural Landmark • Russell Lakes National Natural Landmark • Slumgullion Earthflow • Spanish Peaks National Natural Landmark • Summit Lake National Natural Landmark • The United States Air Force Academy
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