Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Introduce
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, nestled in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado, is a truly extraordinary destination that will leave you breathless. This park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising majestically against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. But the park is more than just sand; it's a diverse landscape encompassing alpine tundra, forests, and wetlands, offering a wide range of outdoor activities and experiences.
A Landscape of Epic Proportions
The towering sand dunes are the park's most iconic feature, attracting visitors from all over the world. These dunes, formed over thousands of years by wind and erosion, reach heights of up to 750 feet. Hiking to the top of the tallest dune is a challenging but rewarding experience, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. But the park's beauty extends beyond the dunes. The adjacent preserve protects a variety of ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and alpine tundra, providing habitat for a diverse array of plants and animals.
- Sand Dune Hiking: Embark on an unforgettable adventure by hiking to the top of the towering sand dunes.
- Sandboarding and Sledding: Experience the thrill of sliding down the dunes on a sandboard or sled.
- Medano Creek: During the spring and early summer, enjoy splashing and playing in the seasonal Medano Creek, a unique phenomenon that flows at the base of the dunes.
- Hiking Trails: Explore a network of trails that wind through the park's diverse landscapes, offering opportunities for wildlife viewing and scenic vistas.
- Stargazing: Discover the wonders of the night sky in one of the darkest places in the United States, perfect for stargazing and astrophotography.
A Park for All Seasons
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a year-round destination, each season offering a unique experience. Spring and early summer bring the seasonal flow of Medano Creek, creating a beach-like atmosphere at the base of the dunes. Summer is ideal for hiking and exploring the park's trails, while fall offers stunning displays of color as the aspen trees change. Winter transforms the park into a magical wonderland, with opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Plan Your Adventure
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is located in southern Colorado, easily accessible by car. The park offers a variety of amenities, including a visitor center, campground, and picnic areas. Whether you're planning a day trip or an extended stay, be sure to check the park's website for information on entrance fees, camping reservations, and current conditions.
For more information about Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, please visit the National Park Service website or contact the park directly at (719) 378-6395.
Experience the Magic of the Dunes
Escape to the otherworldly landscape of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and discover the magic of this unique natural wonder. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or simply a connection with nature, this park offers an unforgettable experience for all.
Location
Customer Reviews
An amazing National Park with plenty to see and do the the avid outdoorsman or woman. Traversing the dunes was a little difficult if you find yourself in some of the softer sands. We made a habit of trying to find some compacted sand to work with and even that’s not a guarantee to find. Be sure to bring some water and plan to have sand everywhere. 😂 Overall, worth the time to visit.
I spent an afternoon here with my kitty! I got there too late to rent a board so we just walked around the dunes a bit and I did a hike on the other side of the road, which was a very different perspective of the park. I definitely recommend it! I was there in mid-October and the fall colors were beautiful, which I wasn’t expecting!
Quite possibly the coolest place in Colorado! I took my dogs there on Christmas morning and there was nobody else there for nearly 3 hours. It took roughly 2 hours to get to the High Dune. The almost-4 hour drive from Denver is worth it to see this beautiful preserve.
The day we passed through and made a quick stop here, was unfortunately quite windy with rain blowing off and on horizontally. We did visit the visitor center which is definitely worth it, but otherwise was not able to do much other than view mostly from our truck windows. We had hoped to picnic there for lunch as they had many places to choose from, and the views would have been great. Lots of trails to hike as well, but again, it was just nasty out. We only saw 2 people venture out of their vehicle to trek out to the dunes themselves. A reason for a return visit, I guess!
One of the must visit places with great view… 1. The sand dunes are huge and surrounded by mountains almost all the sides. It’s a great view for taking a lot of pictures. 2. You can do hikes on sand dunes which is not dangerous but lot of effort to take the peak but absolutely worth it because of the best Mountain View’s from the top of the peaks. 3. You can do camping here as well. 4. IMPORTANT: There will be a river/water flow of ankle length only once a year due to melting ice on the mountain which goes on the side of these sand dunes. It’s absolutely amazing to spend time here during that time. You can play in the water, do camping in the water as well (the water level changes based on ice melting, so be careful). We went around June first week to experience it. Plan during this time and you will have wonderful experience. 5. You can bring food and play tools like volleyball which is also good if you have lot of friends or family members as large group. 6. Check weather before you go.
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