One of the coolest destinations in Colorado is the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Often overshadowed by the more popular Rocky Mountain National Park, this place is truly magical and completely different than the rest of the Rockies. From camping to hiking to spectacular scenery, here is your guide to the best national park in Colorado – the Great Sand Dunes.

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Important Details

Entrance Fees

The daily entrance fee to this park is $25 per vehicle. You also can purchase an annual National Parks Pass for $80, which gives you entrance into all of the parks for a whole year.

When to Visit

• The park is open year round, so you can visit in any season. If you visit during the winter, the mountains surrounding the dunes will be covered with snow (and the dunes sometimes are as well!) The winter months are certainly less busy than the summer, but it will be colder and the campground will not be open.

• If you plan to visit during the summer, aim to get to the park early. The sand gets hot very quickly and can reach temperatures up to 150° F. Also, the park has very little shade, so make sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water to stay hydrated. Later in the day, around sunset, is also a beautiful time to explore.

• In spring, April – June, the Medano Creek will be flowing alongside the dunes. This natural phenomenon only occurs during these few months. It is a unique sight to see and also a good way to cool off after hiking the dunes.

Pet Information

Lastly, the Sand Dunes is one of the few parks that is pet friendly. If you do bring a pet, make sure to bring additional water for them and protect their paws against the hot sand.

What to Do

Explore the Visitor’s Center

• Begin your day at the visitor’s center, where you can learn about the formation and history of the dunes. Apart from a short informative movie, there is also an extensive exhibit about the plants and animals that call the dunes home.

• During the busier months of the summer, there are several free ranger programs offered here. These vary from guided hikes, educational programs, children’s activities and also outdoor stargazing.

Hike on the Sand Dunes

• After exploring the visitors center, head to the parking lot at the base of the dunes. From here, you can hike in any direction. One of the best trails is High Dune, which is a 3 mile out & back hike with stunning (and sandy) views.

• Another nearby trail is the easy hike to Zapata Falls. This short 0.9 mile hike is beautiful during the spring as the snow melts and also in the winter, when the falls freeze over. This hike is located on the way to the entrance of the Sand Dunes, so stop before or after your visit.

Go Sandboarding

This is one of the most popular things to do at this National Park. While the park itself doesn’t rent any equipment, there are several rental places that you can find in the surrounding area.

• Oasis Store, near the park entrance
• Spin Drift Sand Board Rentals, in Blanca
• Kristi Mountain Sports, in Alamosa

Take an Off-Road Tour

The Sand Dunes and surrounding area is an incredible place to go on a Jeeping or 4WD adventure. Mountain Master Tours offers several thrilling options in this area.

Where to Stay

Camping

Jonathan & Caroline