Why Go?
The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado is home to the largest sand dunes in North America. Don’t be fooled – it’s way more than just huge sandy hills! Adjacent to the dunefield are the Sangre de Christo mountains. Mount Zwischen rises to 12,006 feet, that’s nearly 4,000 feet above Medano Creek, running between the dunes and the mountains. The dunes with this peak as the backdrop is truly a sight to behold.
Where to Go
The only option for overnighting in the park is camping. There is one established campground, Piñon Flats, open April to October. There are 91 sites, about half can be reserved and half are first-come, first-serve.
There are a number of privately owned campsites just outside of the park. For those with RVs, there are 21 camps along the Medano Pass Primitive Road within the park which are all free and first-come, first-serve. Check road conditions on the park website. The closest lodging option just out of the park entrance is the Great Sand Dune Lodge. As you travel further out from the park, you will find camping cabins, a motel, and a ranch. There are also options in Hooper (30 miles), Fort Garland (31 miles) and Alamosa (38 miles).
What to Do
Along with the usual great ranger programs, take advantage of this national park and play in the dunes. There is one main dune parking area that is the closest to the misnamed High Dune which stands nearly 700 feet high. Just beyond that is Star Dune at 755 feet high, the tallest in the park. Sand boards and sleds can be rented outside of the park to slide down the dunes. Do not use boards or sleds intended for snow as the sand will grind them down. The dunefield itself is about six miles wide and eight miles long. Once you’ve had enough of the sand, there’s horseback riding, fishing, and swimming (splashing) in Medano Creek.
Getting Around
There is no public transportation or use of shuttles to the park. Visitors will have to rent or use their cars. There is a paved road into the park to the Visitor Center and to a few parking areas and Piñon Flats Campground. Beyond that the road is considered primitive and should only be accessed with high clearance vehicles. Along the primitive road are a number of picnic sites near less busy parts of the dunefield. Then the road turns away from the dunes and into the mountains to go over Medano Pass and onto Highway 69, leading to Interstate 25. Visitors who don’t have high clearance vehicles but want to explore the Medano Pass Primitive Road can go on Four-Wheel Drive Tours or get their own Jeep Rental.
Adventure Correspondent Cameron L. Martindell is a freelance travel and expedition writer, photographer and filmmaker focused on family and adventure topics. He and his wife Jordan are based in Boulder, Colorado, and are parents to Rosie, 3, and Rey, 3 months. Visit Cameron’s personal travel page, Off Yonder.