What Is Great Sand Dunes National Park?
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, as well as a whole host of ecosystems from wetlands to tundra!
What Makes It Beautiful?
Every angle in Great Sand Dunes National Park is photogenic, whether you’re tracing the curves of the sand against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains or just taking the time to watch a June bug dig in the sand! The sand itself is full of red and black color variations, rippling textures, and the tracks of various critters that scuttled by during the cooler hours. If you’re lucky, you’ll find yourself in a secluded patch of prairie sunflowers and marvel at how they’re able to grow in the middle of a sand dune! At the end of the day, the wind blows away most traces of visitors, so the dunes get refreshed all year!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve!
- Donate to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
11999 CO-150
Mosca, CO 81146
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit the Park?
I had a great time visiting in August, though I definitely recommend the early morning hours. Spring is the best time to experience Medano Creek when it’s flowing, but I hear the leaves are also lovely in the fall! The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM between Labor Day and Memorial Day. The rest of the year, it’s open from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM!
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