MESA VERDE: Learn about the best things to do and how to plan your visit in our Guide to Mesa Verde National Park. Mosca 2) The east section of the Dunes Parking Lot (RV parking area) during winter months, when the lot is coned off. See the permits page for more information. Hi. It sits at 699 feet and takes roughly 2 hours round trip to hike. Be Proactive. The falls parking lot, just a few miles from the park itself, provides terrific views of the dunes. And, stop by the Visitor Center when you arrive in the park. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas. 10. . Notifications from this discussion will be disabled.
Hiking on sand is hard and its better to give yourself plenty of time rather than have to rush. inspiring 20 minute film about the park and preserve. When the creek is dry, sand can blow across the creek bed forming escape dunes which suffocate ponderosa pine stands as they march eastward towards the mountains. TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: For more information about the camera gear we carry, check out our Travel Photography Gear Guide.
When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. For extreme hill climbs, pay a visit to the eastern side of the dunes. provides special opportunities for recreation, exploration, and education in the highly resilient dune mass and adjoining creek environments. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The best time to visit is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are mild. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Hours: The park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days per year. Park at the small parking lot at the very end of the road. Be Nice. Get a backcountry permit and camp during the full moon. 6. 11999 State Highway 150 In fact, we stayed in Alamosa when it set a record high and a record low temperature in one day (92F and 37F on July 10, 2020). PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. In heavy snow years, the creek may flow through July or even throughout the summer. Playing in the sand is fun for the younger kiddos. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Never have we heard so much laughter and delight from children than at this park. In a straight line, it is about a mile, but it is best climbed in a zig-zag fashion, following the ridge lines. To get there from Walden, take Highway 125 north for about 10 miles before turning right onto County Road 6 for about 3.5 miles. 
These dunes continue to grow, albeit at an extremely slow pace. How Many Days Should You Spend in Glacier National Park? Explore this website for answers and trip planning. This is not technically located with the national park, but it is located just a few miles away. Would you try sandboarding? Sign upto getaccess to our library of resources, travel photography tips, exclusive giveaways, and inspiration to be a Local Adventurer. National monuments require only a presidential proclamation without a vote of Congress. We were able to walk right in and rent four sandboards, but the staff recommended calling at least several days in advance to make a reservation. Rescuers find overdue hikers trapped in steep, rugged terrain on Colorado 14er, One dead after RV fire near Colorado city park, Fate of dentist accused of killing wife while on safari in hands of Colorado jury. In the winter, the creek freezes over in parts. 2022 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Hours at the Visitor Center vary seasonally, but are generally 9-4:30 daily in winter, and 8:30-6 daily during the three summer months. A national monument is generally smaller than a national park and is intended to preserve a single nationally significant resource, such as a dunefield or rock formation. It took us about one hour to hike from the parking lot to the top of High Dune. One of the many wonderful things about Great Sand Dunes National Park is that it is so easy to visit. Mountain bikes generally are not permitted off road in any national park. Don't Threaten. Pro Tip: Be sure to bring something to protect your camera if it gets too windy. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. See some stars: Away from big cities and any light pollution, stargazing is spectacular in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, and since the park is open 24 hours a day, its easy to do.
It was expanded into a national park and preserve four times the size of the national monument by Congress in 2004, protecting the entire natural geologic and hydrologic system of the dunes, including the alpine watershed, creeks, grasslands, sand sheet, and wetlands. You dont need an expensive camera to take great photos. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Medano Creek is a shallow creek that flows in the spring and early summer months. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Sign upto getaccess to our library of resources, travel photography tips, exclusive giveaways, and inspiration to be a Local Adventurer. Take a ride on the wild side as you explore 300 acres of open sand against a backdrop of granite, offering an incredible mountain setting for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts including full-size vehicles, sand rail riders, razors, custom-built sand rails, dirt bikes, ATVs, and dune buggies. Sandboarding and sand sledding are a blast, the sunsets are gorgeous, and this park just feels all around fun. Do I need a permit for a wedding or for commercial filming?
It is also possible to camp at the Pion Flats Campground, which is located inside the park, near the main parking area and Medano Creek. Learn more about us here and dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content. If you visit during a full moon, you can hike the dunes at night with no need for a flashlight. We took this 6 sec exposure lit by moonlight from our campground,Great Sand Dunes Oasis. What is the annual visitation at Great Sand Dunes? accounts, the history behind an article. Ride a fat bike:Fat tire bikes (think souped-up mountain bikes with extra wide tires that make riding on sand more viable) are permitted where regular and mountain bikes aren't, namely beyond Point of No Return (yes, thats the name) along the Medano Pass Primitive Road. Here are the driving distances and times from nearby destinations in Colorado: Denver: 225 miles, 4 hours Colorado Springs: 165 miles, 2.5 hours Mesa Verde National Park: 200 miles, 3.75 hours Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: 190 miles, 3.5 hours Rocky Mountain National Park: 250 miles, 4.5 hours. Typically, this creek starts flowing in April, peaks in May, and dries up by late June. What activity interests you most? You have permission to edit this article. Plastic saucers and cardboard will also not slide very well on the sand. Its nothing fancy but it gets good reviews and it does have a pool.
Unfortunately, you cant ride your bike in most places in the park, but you can go fat biking on the Medano Primitive Road. Sandboarding is similar to snowboarding, but it does have a different feel, since it is tougher to turn and change direction in the sand. What is nationally significant about Great Sand Dunes? North Sand Hills Recreation Area. Rollerblading and skateboarding are only permitted in these two places and during these times: 1) In the employee/delivery parking area on the east side of the Visitor Center after the center is closed. When flowing, Medano Creek catches sand blowing from the main dunefield east towards the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and carries it back to the southern edge of the dunes to the point where the creek disappears. Do note, however, that their rides are only provided to overnight guests at the Zapata Ranch, a few miles south of the main park entrance. Well.. the dunes were massive and we felt like passing out mid-hike. The visitor center can be a great resource for the current conditions of the park and they can point you in the right direction, so you can make the most of your time in the park. High Dune is on the first ridge, and contrary to how it looks, its not the tallest in the park but still takes quite some effort to ascend! Just make your reservations far in advance (at least four weeks in the summer months). The Great Sand Dunes are the tallest in North America and you immediately feel small when you see them. To drive this road, you must have 4WD vehicle with high clearance. Rolling the windows down a little does not provide adequate ventilation. Midday, make the drive to Zapata Falls and hang out by the creek (or, if you have a 4WD, drive the Medano Pass Primitive Road). Even though the creek was not flowing during our visit, the mosquitoes were vicious at sunset during the walk back to our car. There are no lodges in Great Sand Dunes National Park. Threats of harming another During the summer, you will have to wade in the creek through a slot canyon to see the falls. Not sure about sand surfing? They also offer sandboard rentals. 22. Pets are no longer permitted in the national park backcountry; for details visit our webpage on pets at Great Sand Dunes. It is also a safe place for children and families to play and explore without the danger of vehicles. It may only be 699 feet tall, but its a slow, arduous hike to get to the peak. Star Dune rises 750 feet from its base to its crest. 17. Once at the South Zapata Creek, you can either carefully walk the narrow dirt trail and step across the rocks in the creek, keeping your feet dry, or simply hike up the creek to the falls. The road is soft and sandy in the dunes area, then forested and rocky with stream crossings in the mountain portion. Current conditions: Visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve website for current conditions. These regulations are designed to protect the park's natural and cultural resources for this and future generations, and to protect park visitors so that all may enjoy the park and preserve. If the sand freezes, local shops will not rent sandboards. 7. Along the road are 21 campsites that are free of charge and first-come, first-served. During the late Spring and early Summer season, the flow is much higher and attracts a lot of folks just to play in the water and go tubing. Surf the sand: Visitors to the park are invited to actuallysurf the sand dunes. While tracking down this sandy destination, please remember to follow the core principles of Leave No Trace. Always leave what you find. We are ATLiens who explore a new city every year. Late-May is usually the peak of the creeks annual low, making it a terrific time to splash in the cool, snow-melt waters. A national park is generally a large tract of land that contains a variety of resources or an entire natural system, and is established by an act of Congress. Other hotels that get good reviews include the Fairfield Inn and Suites and the Hampton Inn. Call the Visitor Center at (719) 378-6395 for answers to your specific questions, or email a ranger. In 2021, 600,000 people visited the park. Visit our Nature and Science pages for more information. Be aware of when and where youre allowed take off-road vehicles at the space prior to starting the engine restrictions do apply. 19. Zapata Falls | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. How far is it to hike to the top of the first ridge of dunes? The park also hosts a number of ranger programs, mostly from late-May through September, that include night sky watching. Even though it is flat, it is a slow walk across the loose sand to get to the dunes. Use the 'Report' link on If you have younger kids or are not so sure sandboarding is for you, you can rent sleds. The Zapata Loops at the Zapata Falls Recreation Area, 9 miles south of the Visitor Center, provide mountain biking trails of varying difficulty.
No, you dont need a reservation at the park to sandboard. Medano Pass Primitive Road | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. Learn more about us here and dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content. Be Truthful. Over time, the lake receded, leaving behind sand. At 750 feet, Star Dune is the tallest dune in Great Sand Dunes, followed by High Dune at 699 feet. Snow sleds, skis, and snowboards will not work. From here, you simply walk out to Medano Creek and onto the sand dunes. In this post, learn about the best things to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park, with tips to have the best experience, where to stay, how to rent those sandboards, and more. Take a hike: While the dunes may be the parks star attraction, there are plenty of other areas within Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in which to hike. Have you visited any dunes? This is a big area and it is easy to spread out and distance yourself from other visitors. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. more information on current conditions current conditions and forecast flow for Medano Creek, contains the tallest dunes in North America and one of the most fragile and complex dune systems in the world, protects a globally significant, water- and wind-driven system, which includes creeks that demonstrate surge flow, a rare hydrologic phenomenon, provides tremendous scenic settings that, for many, provoke strong emotional responses. Our website uses cookies. A national preserve is an area managed by the National Park Service where certain activities that are prohibited within a national park may be permitted. This drive takes approximately 30 minutes one way. Great Sand Dunes National Park appears in ourBest US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in May and June. If you must walk on the dunes on a summer afternoon, be sure to take boots or tennis shoes (sandals are not adequate) . Days later Tyler said that he was still cleaning the sand out of his ears. Join over 400,000 readers! This property has motel rooms, a campground and 20 RV sites. Get more information on the NPS website. Several times we picked up subs at Subway for dinner on the dunes and Starbucks in the morning for breakfast.
If you want to ride but dont have your own horse, check out Zapata Partners, the only park-authorized horseback riding provider. Comparing recent photographs with photographs taken in the late 1800s reveals that the major dunes have maintained their overall shape and position. Even so, it was tons of fun. Check out a video on what it's like: 3. My advice is to pick a very small, shallow dune and work your way up from here. Giddyup:Horseback riding is permitted within Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, and is a terrific way to see the park. Fulgurites, like all natural objects in the park, are protected and should be left for others to view. We had a nice dinner at Calvillos Mexican Restaurant. Great Sand Dunes is a much different experience than many other national parks in the United States. I was great at entertaining my family with big wipe outs and frequent falls. racist or sexually-oriented language. For information on wheelchair-accessible activities, visit Accessibility at Great Sand Dunes . Editors Note: Before visiting, here are a few things to know first. Guide to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Medano Primitive Road will give you access to the remote portions of the park and preserve. Fun times! Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. If you do not have a 4WD and would like to rent one, make your reservation at least one month in advance. How big is Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve? Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. You may take a street-licensed, high-clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road, which goes around the eastern edge of the dunes then over a 10,000' mountain pass. Because of danger to vehicles and pedestrians, rollerblading and skateboarding are not permitted elsewhere in the park or preserve. We visited when the weather was hotter than normal, getting up into the low-90s midday. You dont have to walk far into the dunefield to find the perfect dune. To get here, it is 3.5-mile drive on a rough, gravel road. The most unique and fun thing to do at Great Sand Dunes is sandboarding. Its also a prime spot for viewing wildlife and catching views of Park and Medicine Bow Mountain Ranges. 4. We got a board and sled atKristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa, who are the only ones that rent out gear year round. Great Sand Dunes has the tallest dunes in North America. If you want more of the outdoors, there are four miles of hiking and mountain biking trails here, too. With just a few hours, you can walk on the dunes and go sandboarding or sledding. Get your sandy fix of adventure without having to fight the crowds of Great Sand Dunes National Park at the North Sand Hills Recreation Management Area. Its not the same experience as sleeping in the dunes, but you will be in the park. Heres a look at where its located on the map. Chill out at Zapata Falls: Though not inside Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Zapata Falls is a terrific stop during a visit to the area and a fun place to cool off from the hot sun. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Learn how to combine them all together into one epic road trip in our 10 Day Colorado Itinerary. Be sure you have the right gear, though snow sleds, snowboards and skis dont work very well on dry sand; rent gear year-round from Kristi Mountain Sports in nearby Alamosa, or Great Sand Dunes Oasis (AprilOctober) just outside the park entrance.
How can I find out more? It was clean and quiet and the Wi-Fi worked well. This road crosses the Medano Creek nine times before topping out at the Medano Pass at mile 11, at an elevation of 10,000 feet. Read our full disclosurefor more info. In Alamosa, there are a bunch of chain hotels and a handful of decent restaurants. Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. Two streams, Medano and Sand Creeks, continue to bring sand from the mountains and deposit it at the dunefield. We all tried our hand at sandboarding. If you have good balance and are feeling adventurous, rent sandboards. Our mission is to provide useful, interesting news and updates on breaking news to people in the Denver metro area, all across our beautiful state of Colorado and all over the world. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve can be visited year round. Great Sand Dunes Lodge. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you.
Yes. From there, youll hang another right onto county road 6N, where youll continue for about 2 miles before reaching the dunes. To get to Star Dune, you will hike up and down a series of smaller dunes. Although its not within the park, this is a popular hike thats located roughly 5 miles from the entrance of the park. 2. Capture the ripples in the sand, the sunrise and sunset, the layers of dunes, and the mountain ranges that form a stunning backdrop. The system, which spans high desert to alpine life zones, supports rare biological communities that are mostly intact and functional, contains some of the oldest (9,000+ years before present) known archeological sites in America. We stayed in Alamosa and drove out in the morning and evening, returning to Alamosa midday when the sand was scorching hot. The best time to see the stars is on a moonless night. This is a for-profit blog and contains occasional affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. Generally, it takes the average person an hour or so to reach the top of the first ridge. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
Join over 400,000 readers! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. In an average year, the creek starts to flow in April, with peak flow in late May, and dries up by late June. Hiking to High Dune | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, On top of High Dune | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, The view from High Dune | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. You'll find: Visitor Center If visiting, plan to carry at least 1 gallon of water per person. If you plan to go sandboarding or sledding, make your reservations at least several days in advance. We spent two days at Great Sand Dunes. A lot of the rangers explore on their own and may know hidden gems that you wont find in the pamphlets. The dunes have been identified as having special importance by people of various cultures, and the area is recognized for the culturally diverse nature of human use. The farther you hike up into the dunes, the more solitude you will have, with a chance to walk on pristine sand. Theres a 20-minute movie about the park, as well interactive exhibitsand an exhibit of paintings and photography inspired by the landscapes. PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you plan to drive Medano Pass Primitive Road and you do not have a 4WD vehicle, you can rent one from Pathfinders 44. Get the full details on how to plan your visit in our Guide to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Don't worry,it's a few times a month and not spammy. See the management page for links to compendiums of regulations for the park and preserve. Thank you for supporting Local Adventurer. The highest dunes in elevation above sea level in the park are those closest to the mountains on the eastern edge of the main dunefield. Once out of the car, walk for half-a-mile through the chilly water or balance on the log bridge to the hidden falls. Just to give you an idea of perspective, those little tiny dots are people on their way up. Keep it Clean. When lightning hits the sand, it fuses or melts particles of sand together, resulting in a fulgurite (latin for lightning rock). For photographers, this is a beautiful place to visit. 5. Its a small park and the list of things to do is very short.
Hiking on sand is hard and its better to give yourself plenty of time rather than have to rush. inspiring 20 minute film about the park and preserve. When the creek is dry, sand can blow across the creek bed forming escape dunes which suffocate ponderosa pine stands as they march eastward towards the mountains. TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: For more information about the camera gear we carry, check out our Travel Photography Gear Guide.
When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. For extreme hill climbs, pay a visit to the eastern side of the dunes. provides special opportunities for recreation, exploration, and education in the highly resilient dune mass and adjoining creek environments. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The best time to visit is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are mild. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Hours: The park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days per year. Park at the small parking lot at the very end of the road. Be Nice. Get a backcountry permit and camp during the full moon. 6. 11999 State Highway 150 In fact, we stayed in Alamosa when it set a record high and a record low temperature in one day (92F and 37F on July 10, 2020). PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. In heavy snow years, the creek may flow through July or even throughout the summer. Playing in the sand is fun for the younger kiddos. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Never have we heard so much laughter and delight from children than at this park. In a straight line, it is about a mile, but it is best climbed in a zig-zag fashion, following the ridge lines. To get there from Walden, take Highway 125 north for about 10 miles before turning right onto County Road 6 for about 3.5 miles. These dunes continue to grow, albeit at an extremely slow pace. How Many Days Should You Spend in Glacier National Park? Explore this website for answers and trip planning. This is not technically located with the national park, but it is located just a few miles away. Would you try sandboarding? Sign upto getaccess to our library of resources, travel photography tips, exclusive giveaways, and inspiration to be a Local Adventurer. National monuments require only a presidential proclamation without a vote of Congress. We were able to walk right in and rent four sandboards, but the staff recommended calling at least several days in advance to make a reservation. Rescuers find overdue hikers trapped in steep, rugged terrain on Colorado 14er, One dead after RV fire near Colorado city park, Fate of dentist accused of killing wife while on safari in hands of Colorado jury. In the winter, the creek freezes over in parts. 2022 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Hours at the Visitor Center vary seasonally, but are generally 9-4:30 daily in winter, and 8:30-6 daily during the three summer months. A national monument is generally smaller than a national park and is intended to preserve a single nationally significant resource, such as a dunefield or rock formation. It took us about one hour to hike from the parking lot to the top of High Dune. One of the many wonderful things about Great Sand Dunes National Park is that it is so easy to visit. Mountain bikes generally are not permitted off road in any national park. Don't Threaten. Pro Tip: Be sure to bring something to protect your camera if it gets too windy. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. See some stars: Away from big cities and any light pollution, stargazing is spectacular in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, and since the park is open 24 hours a day, its easy to do. It was expanded into a national park and preserve four times the size of the national monument by Congress in 2004, protecting the entire natural geologic and hydrologic system of the dunes, including the alpine watershed, creeks, grasslands, sand sheet, and wetlands. You dont need an expensive camera to take great photos. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Medano Creek is a shallow creek that flows in the spring and early summer months. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Sign upto getaccess to our library of resources, travel photography tips, exclusive giveaways, and inspiration to be a Local Adventurer. Take a ride on the wild side as you explore 300 acres of open sand against a backdrop of granite, offering an incredible mountain setting for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts including full-size vehicles, sand rail riders, razors, custom-built sand rails, dirt bikes, ATVs, and dune buggies. Sandboarding and sand sledding are a blast, the sunsets are gorgeous, and this park just feels all around fun. Do I need a permit for a wedding or for commercial filming?
It is also possible to camp at the Pion Flats Campground, which is located inside the park, near the main parking area and Medano Creek. Learn more about us here and dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content. If you visit during a full moon, you can hike the dunes at night with no need for a flashlight. We took this 6 sec exposure lit by moonlight from our campground,Great Sand Dunes Oasis. What is the annual visitation at Great Sand Dunes? accounts, the history behind an article. Ride a fat bike:Fat tire bikes (think souped-up mountain bikes with extra wide tires that make riding on sand more viable) are permitted where regular and mountain bikes aren't, namely beyond Point of No Return (yes, thats the name) along the Medano Pass Primitive Road. Here are the driving distances and times from nearby destinations in Colorado: Denver: 225 miles, 4 hours Colorado Springs: 165 miles, 2.5 hours Mesa Verde National Park: 200 miles, 3.75 hours Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: 190 miles, 3.5 hours Rocky Mountain National Park: 250 miles, 4.5 hours. Typically, this creek starts flowing in April, peaks in May, and dries up by late June. What activity interests you most? You have permission to edit this article. Plastic saucers and cardboard will also not slide very well on the sand. Its nothing fancy but it gets good reviews and it does have a pool.
Unfortunately, you cant ride your bike in most places in the park, but you can go fat biking on the Medano Primitive Road. Sandboarding is similar to snowboarding, but it does have a different feel, since it is tougher to turn and change direction in the sand. What is nationally significant about Great Sand Dunes? North Sand Hills Recreation Area. Rollerblading and skateboarding are only permitted in these two places and during these times: 1) In the employee/delivery parking area on the east side of the Visitor Center after the center is closed. When flowing, Medano Creek catches sand blowing from the main dunefield east towards the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and carries it back to the southern edge of the dunes to the point where the creek disappears. Do note, however, that their rides are only provided to overnight guests at the Zapata Ranch, a few miles south of the main park entrance. Well.. the dunes were massive and we felt like passing out mid-hike. The visitor center can be a great resource for the current conditions of the park and they can point you in the right direction, so you can make the most of your time in the park. High Dune is on the first ridge, and contrary to how it looks, its not the tallest in the park but still takes quite some effort to ascend! Just make your reservations far in advance (at least four weeks in the summer months). The Great Sand Dunes are the tallest in North America and you immediately feel small when you see them. To drive this road, you must have 4WD vehicle with high clearance. Rolling the windows down a little does not provide adequate ventilation. Midday, make the drive to Zapata Falls and hang out by the creek (or, if you have a 4WD, drive the Medano Pass Primitive Road). Even though the creek was not flowing during our visit, the mosquitoes were vicious at sunset during the walk back to our car. There are no lodges in Great Sand Dunes National Park. Threats of harming another During the summer, you will have to wade in the creek through a slot canyon to see the falls. Not sure about sand surfing? They also offer sandboard rentals. 22. Pets are no longer permitted in the national park backcountry; for details visit our webpage on pets at Great Sand Dunes. It is also a safe place for children and families to play and explore without the danger of vehicles. It may only be 699 feet tall, but its a slow, arduous hike to get to the peak. Star Dune rises 750 feet from its base to its crest. 17. Once at the South Zapata Creek, you can either carefully walk the narrow dirt trail and step across the rocks in the creek, keeping your feet dry, or simply hike up the creek to the falls. The road is soft and sandy in the dunes area, then forested and rocky with stream crossings in the mountain portion. Current conditions: Visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve website for current conditions. These regulations are designed to protect the park's natural and cultural resources for this and future generations, and to protect park visitors so that all may enjoy the park and preserve. If the sand freezes, local shops will not rent sandboards. 7. Along the road are 21 campsites that are free of charge and first-come, first-served. During the late Spring and early Summer season, the flow is much higher and attracts a lot of folks just to play in the water and go tubing. Surf the sand: Visitors to the park are invited to actuallysurf the sand dunes. While tracking down this sandy destination, please remember to follow the core principles of Leave No Trace. Always leave what you find. We are ATLiens who explore a new city every year. Late-May is usually the peak of the creeks annual low, making it a terrific time to splash in the cool, snow-melt waters. A national park is generally a large tract of land that contains a variety of resources or an entire natural system, and is established by an act of Congress. Other hotels that get good reviews include the Fairfield Inn and Suites and the Hampton Inn. Call the Visitor Center at (719) 378-6395 for answers to your specific questions, or email a ranger. In 2021, 600,000 people visited the park. Visit our Nature and Science pages for more information. Be aware of when and where youre allowed take off-road vehicles at the space prior to starting the engine restrictions do apply. 19. Zapata Falls | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. How far is it to hike to the top of the first ridge of dunes? The park also hosts a number of ranger programs, mostly from late-May through September, that include night sky watching. Even though it is flat, it is a slow walk across the loose sand to get to the dunes. Use the 'Report' link on If you have younger kids or are not so sure sandboarding is for you, you can rent sleds. The Zapata Loops at the Zapata Falls Recreation Area, 9 miles south of the Visitor Center, provide mountain biking trails of varying difficulty.
No, you dont need a reservation at the park to sandboard. Medano Pass Primitive Road | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. Learn more about us here and dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content. Be Truthful. Over time, the lake receded, leaving behind sand. At 750 feet, Star Dune is the tallest dune in Great Sand Dunes, followed by High Dune at 699 feet. Snow sleds, skis, and snowboards will not work. From here, you simply walk out to Medano Creek and onto the sand dunes. In this post, learn about the best things to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park, with tips to have the best experience, where to stay, how to rent those sandboards, and more. Take a hike: While the dunes may be the parks star attraction, there are plenty of other areas within Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in which to hike. Have you visited any dunes? This is a big area and it is easy to spread out and distance yourself from other visitors. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. more information on current conditions current conditions and forecast flow for Medano Creek, contains the tallest dunes in North America and one of the most fragile and complex dune systems in the world, protects a globally significant, water- and wind-driven system, which includes creeks that demonstrate surge flow, a rare hydrologic phenomenon, provides tremendous scenic settings that, for many, provoke strong emotional responses. Our website uses cookies. A national preserve is an area managed by the National Park Service where certain activities that are prohibited within a national park may be permitted. This drive takes approximately 30 minutes one way. Great Sand Dunes National Park appears in ourBest US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in May and June. If you must walk on the dunes on a summer afternoon, be sure to take boots or tennis shoes (sandals are not adequate) . Days later Tyler said that he was still cleaning the sand out of his ears. Join over 400,000 readers! This property has motel rooms, a campground and 20 RV sites. Get more information on the NPS website. Several times we picked up subs at Subway for dinner on the dunes and Starbucks in the morning for breakfast.
If you want to ride but dont have your own horse, check out Zapata Partners, the only park-authorized horseback riding provider. Comparing recent photographs with photographs taken in the late 1800s reveals that the major dunes have maintained their overall shape and position. Even so, it was tons of fun. Check out a video on what it's like: 3. My advice is to pick a very small, shallow dune and work your way up from here. Giddyup:Horseback riding is permitted within Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, and is a terrific way to see the park. Fulgurites, like all natural objects in the park, are protected and should be left for others to view. We had a nice dinner at Calvillos Mexican Restaurant. Great Sand Dunes is a much different experience than many other national parks in the United States. I was great at entertaining my family with big wipe outs and frequent falls. racist or sexually-oriented language. For information on wheelchair-accessible activities, visit Accessibility at Great Sand Dunes . Editors Note: Before visiting, here are a few things to know first. Guide to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Medano Primitive Road will give you access to the remote portions of the park and preserve. Fun times! Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. If you do not have a 4WD and would like to rent one, make your reservation at least one month in advance. How big is Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve? Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. You may take a street-licensed, high-clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road, which goes around the eastern edge of the dunes then over a 10,000' mountain pass. Because of danger to vehicles and pedestrians, rollerblading and skateboarding are not permitted elsewhere in the park or preserve. We visited when the weather was hotter than normal, getting up into the low-90s midday. You dont have to walk far into the dunefield to find the perfect dune. To get here, it is 3.5-mile drive on a rough, gravel road. The most unique and fun thing to do at Great Sand Dunes is sandboarding. Its also a prime spot for viewing wildlife and catching views of Park and Medicine Bow Mountain Ranges. 4. We got a board and sled atKristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa, who are the only ones that rent out gear year round. Great Sand Dunes has the tallest dunes in North America. If you want more of the outdoors, there are four miles of hiking and mountain biking trails here, too. With just a few hours, you can walk on the dunes and go sandboarding or sledding. Get your sandy fix of adventure without having to fight the crowds of Great Sand Dunes National Park at the North Sand Hills Recreation Management Area. Its not the same experience as sleeping in the dunes, but you will be in the park. Heres a look at where its located on the map. Chill out at Zapata Falls: Though not inside Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Zapata Falls is a terrific stop during a visit to the area and a fun place to cool off from the hot sun. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Learn how to combine them all together into one epic road trip in our 10 Day Colorado Itinerary. Be sure you have the right gear, though snow sleds, snowboards and skis dont work very well on dry sand; rent gear year-round from Kristi Mountain Sports in nearby Alamosa, or Great Sand Dunes Oasis (AprilOctober) just outside the park entrance.
How can I find out more? It was clean and quiet and the Wi-Fi worked well. This road crosses the Medano Creek nine times before topping out at the Medano Pass at mile 11, at an elevation of 10,000 feet. Read our full disclosurefor more info. In Alamosa, there are a bunch of chain hotels and a handful of decent restaurants. Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. Two streams, Medano and Sand Creeks, continue to bring sand from the mountains and deposit it at the dunefield. We all tried our hand at sandboarding. If you have good balance and are feeling adventurous, rent sandboards. Our mission is to provide useful, interesting news and updates on breaking news to people in the Denver metro area, all across our beautiful state of Colorado and all over the world. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve can be visited year round. Great Sand Dunes Lodge. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you.
Yes. From there, youll hang another right onto county road 6N, where youll continue for about 2 miles before reaching the dunes. To get to Star Dune, you will hike up and down a series of smaller dunes. Although its not within the park, this is a popular hike thats located roughly 5 miles from the entrance of the park. 2. Capture the ripples in the sand, the sunrise and sunset, the layers of dunes, and the mountain ranges that form a stunning backdrop. The system, which spans high desert to alpine life zones, supports rare biological communities that are mostly intact and functional, contains some of the oldest (9,000+ years before present) known archeological sites in America. We stayed in Alamosa and drove out in the morning and evening, returning to Alamosa midday when the sand was scorching hot. The best time to see the stars is on a moonless night. This is a for-profit blog and contains occasional affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. Generally, it takes the average person an hour or so to reach the top of the first ridge. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
Join over 400,000 readers! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. In an average year, the creek starts to flow in April, with peak flow in late May, and dries up by late June. Hiking to High Dune | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, On top of High Dune | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, The view from High Dune | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. You'll find: Visitor Center If visiting, plan to carry at least 1 gallon of water per person. If you plan to go sandboarding or sledding, make your reservations at least several days in advance. We spent two days at Great Sand Dunes. A lot of the rangers explore on their own and may know hidden gems that you wont find in the pamphlets. The dunes have been identified as having special importance by people of various cultures, and the area is recognized for the culturally diverse nature of human use. The farther you hike up into the dunes, the more solitude you will have, with a chance to walk on pristine sand. Theres a 20-minute movie about the park, as well interactive exhibitsand an exhibit of paintings and photography inspired by the landscapes. PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you plan to drive Medano Pass Primitive Road and you do not have a 4WD vehicle, you can rent one from Pathfinders 44. Get the full details on how to plan your visit in our Guide to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Don't worry,it's a few times a month and not spammy. See the management page for links to compendiums of regulations for the park and preserve. Thank you for supporting Local Adventurer. The highest dunes in elevation above sea level in the park are those closest to the mountains on the eastern edge of the main dunefield. Once out of the car, walk for half-a-mile through the chilly water or balance on the log bridge to the hidden falls. Just to give you an idea of perspective, those little tiny dots are people on their way up. Keep it Clean. When lightning hits the sand, it fuses or melts particles of sand together, resulting in a fulgurite (latin for lightning rock). For photographers, this is a beautiful place to visit. 5. Its a small park and the list of things to do is very short.