Great Sand Dune National Park

Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dune National Park

The weather of Great Sand Dune National Park changes dramatically with its variety of ecosystems. Season, weather conditions, and temperature vary depending on where you are staying in the park, as the elevation ranges from 8,200 feet to 10,000 feet.

Fall (September-October)

Fall is the best time to visit Great Sand Dune National Park if you want to avoid the unpredictable weather and the crowd of summer. The days are warm but the nights are mild. You may also enjoy snowfall at higher elevations, and it is the best time to watch wildlife. Fall is prominent for its colors and bluebird sightings. By passing Medano Pass Primitive Road, you can see the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Milky Way can be visible in the sky prior to midnight, making it a perfect time for astrophotography. Various popular trails like Mosca Pass Trail and Sand Ramp Trail are available in fall. You can make a reservation for Piñon Flats Campground by October.

Summer (June-August)

Summer is the busiest time in the park. The temperature is high, ranging from 75° to 80°F, but the temperature on the sand dunes themselves can reach up to 150°F. Daytime temperatures at higher elevations can fall to 5° to 10°F. So if you are camping at higher elevations, bring warm clothes. Summer is a suitable time for hiking, but Medano Creek may be flooded by early June, which enhances the appearance of mosquitoes. Summer is more green in Great Sand Dune National Park and is the time for wildflowers to bloom. The spectacular view of sunflowers on the dunes will catch your attention. Keep in mind that it is the time of thunderstorms.

Winter (November-March)

Winter is not favorable in the park due to snow, cold, and harsh weather. The temperature remains the same throughout the season. Medano Pass Primitive Road and the Piñon Flats Campground are closed. Though you can visit the park for snow-covered dunes, the blue sky, and fewer crowds. Elk and pronghorn can be watched at this time. Migratory birds bring another attraction.

History and Things to Know About Great Sand Dune National Park

In the 1920s, the residents of San Luis Valley became worried about gold mining in the dunes. They used the dunes for recreational purposes and felt the importance of preserving the natural environment and the benefits of tourism. In 1930, the women of the Philanthropic Educational Organization raised their voices and asked for political support. In 1932, President Herbert Hoover signed the proclamation to establish Great Sand Dune National Monument. 

In the 1980s and 1990s, commercial water development became a risk to the sand dunes. Then in 2004, aware citizens came forward for the expansion of the monument into a national park and preserve.

Located in south-central Colorado, it became the first national park and preserve outside of Alaska. The 741-foot-high sand dunes are the main attraction, along with alpine lakes, forests, and wetlands. Star Dune and Hidden Dune are two of the tallest dunes in North America within the park. Over half a million people visit the park every year.

How to Get There

If you are driving by car from the city of Alamosa, you can choose the following roads to reach the park:

• US-160 east and turn to CO-150
• CO-7 north to County Lane 6 and follow it east to CO-150

The nearest airport to the park is San Luis Valley Airport with commercial flights from Denver.

Accommodations

Note that there is no lodging facility within the park area. The staying arrangements near the main entrance of the park are:

• Great Sand Dunes Lodge
• Oasis Camping Cabins
• Oasis Duplex Motel
• Zapata Ranch

Entry Fees

Visitors must have one of these entrance passes:

• Standard Pass: $15-$25
• Annual Pass: $45
• America the Beautiful Pass: Free-$80 (includes senior passes)

Main Attractions of Great Sand Dune

Medano Creek

Medano Creek is a place to enjoy picnics and swimming. It is seasonally flooded and becomes a water source for surrounding vegetation within the park. Small trees and bushes are found there in summer. It is a home to various species like black bears, golden eagles, hawks, and coyotes.

Distinctive Landscape

If you want to explore the sand dunes, you do not need to climb them. The park service has an arrangement to visit the dunes. They have a variety of colors that vary with time and conditions. The tour will help you experience places that are tough to reach. It is a two-hour-long tour and covers three sections: one through the east side of the park, one within Medano Creek, and the last one in remote places.

Dunes Trailhead

The huge dune field with an immense parking area provides restrooms and information boards. Summer is very hot there, and the sands reflect the heat. There is also a possibility of strong wind. You can go on a hike to High Dune, which is one of the tallest sand dunes in North America. You will also cross Medano Creek during your hike.

Piñon Flats Campground

It is one of the most popular campgrounds within the park. It has 86 sites for individual tents, RVs, or groups. Picnic tables, food lockers, and fire pits are available there. The interesting thing is they have an amphitheater. The place is accessible to Wellington Ditch and Sand Ramp.

Buck Creek Campsite

If you are not able to make your own camping arrangements, you can stay here, but you will need a reservation in advance. The facilities are limited as they do not have any toilets or reliable water sources, so make your own arrangements. There are a lot of beautiful places to explore and a short hike from Piñon Flats Campground.

Dunes Overlook

The appealing viewpoint with a short hilly hike from Piñon Flats Campground. There is parking on Medano Pass Road. The popular Sand Ramp Trail and Mosca Pass Trail are available. It enhances the opportunity to explore more.

Things to Do in the Park

• Hiking and Backpacking
• Sandboarding & Sand Sledding
• Splashing in Medano Creek
• Free Ranger Programs
• Exploring the Nights
• Photoshoots
• 4WD Medano Pass Road Drive
• Visiting the Visitor Center
• Horse Riding
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hunting

Name of Main Trails

• Mosca Pass Trail
• Dunes Overlook Trail
• Montville Nature Trail
• Wellington Ditch Trail
• Sand Sheet Loop Interactive Trail
• Medano Lake Trail
• Zapata Falls Trail

Pros & Cons of Visiting Great Sand Dune National Park

Pros

• Sightseeing
• Sandboard hiking
• Learning opportunity about the diverse ecosystem

Cons

• No lodging inside the park
• High temperature in summer

Achievements and Suggestions

Great Sand Dune National Park has something for everyone. If you are planning to visit the park, try to stay one to two days to explore the entire area. Make reservations early to stay close to the park. The restaurant facility is available at the main entrance, but carry water and snacks as they are at a long distance from the main visiting places. Visit the Service Center and then plan your tour with the information you get. Hiking, camping, and stargazing will give you an enormous experience.