Est. 2004 | Colorado | 107,345 acres

Great Sand Dunes

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains more than 600 miles from any ocean lie the tallest sand dunes in North America. Formed and preserved by prevailing winds across Colorado’s San Luis Valley, the sands of Great Sand Dunes National Park cover more than 19,000 acres, a veritable ocean of no water. And spanning seven distinct ecosystems, the park allows visitors to hike the endless dunefield, splash in the seasonal Medano Creek or stroll the forested Sangre de Cristo mountains.

Despite covering over 100,000 acres, Great Sand Dunes is a relatively undeveloped park with lots of wilderness. The park only has one main entrance, one visitor center and one campground all located in the southeast corner of the park. Highway 150, which becomes Main Park Road, only reaches 4 miles into the park before dead-ending at Pinon Flats Campground. The last half-mile of road is the culmination of park attractions. Here, visitors can hike the front-country trails, scale the dunes and drop by the visitor center.

However, for the more prepared, Pinon Flats Campground is not the end of the line. Medano Pass Primitive Road, an 11-mile rough high-clearance 4WD road skirts along the eastern dunes and climbs 1800 feet up the mountains to Medano Pass before exiting the park on County Road 559. This bumpy ride takes visitors up to a high alpine trail with access to Medano Lake, the source for the seasonal Medano Creek that runs past the visitor center. An obscure backcountry trail runs off the lower section of Medano Pass Primitive Road near the dunes, but beyond this there are no other park facilities.

Must-see highlights in Great Sand Dunes

Dunefield—The namesake of the park, the dunefield is easily the main attraction for visitors. Essentially a sandbox for all ages, hikers are encouraged to explore anywhere along the dunes without limit. At 741 feet, Hidden Dune is not only the tallest dune in the park, but the tallest on the continent, granting panoramic views of the San Luis Valley. Sandboarding or sledding on the dunes is popular activity on the slopes. And designated an International Dark Sky Park the dunefield is also an excellent location for stargazing with its arid climate, remote location and high elevation. Regardless of when you visit, be sure to bring water and food as any trek on the dunes is deceptively long and exhausting in the slipping sand.

Mosca Pass Trail—Following a small creek to the summit of Mosca Pass in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, this trail winds its way through aspen groves and evergreen forests. Allow 2-3 hours to reach the pass 3.5 miles away. Early settlers and Native Americans used this route to travel into the San Luis Valley.

Medano Creek—Cradled between the foothills and the dunes, Medano Creek flows south past the visitor center. Because the flow of Medano Creek is dependent upon snowmelt, the water is seasonal, hitting peak flow in late May lasting through mid-June. Though not deep enough to swim, the creek allows for tubing and wading during these high flow days. Because of this, late May and early June are extremely crowded. Expect long lines, little overnight accommodations, and busy parking lots, especially on weekends.

*Bonus: Zapata Falls—Though technically 3 miles south of the park, the short half-mile ascent to Zapata Falls not only rewards hikers with a hidden waterfall, but with gorgeous high-angle views of the dunes. At this distance, the entire dunefield can is visible in one scene with a gorgeous backdrop of Rocky Mountains. Consider hiking this at sunset to watch the dunes cast long shadows in the golden hour light.

Best time to visit Great Sand Dunes

As mentioned above, late spring is the best time to visit Great Sand Dunes if Medano Creek is on your bucket list, but both fall and winter are desirable times to visit for different reasons.

Spring (April to June): With snowfall still possible in April, May brings the warmer weather and temperatures. High elevation snowmelt begins to flood Medano Creek. By late May, daytime temperatures range from 50ºF–80ºF, making ideal conditions for hiking the dunes in the open sun. Shrubs and trees along the creek bed bloom greening the landscape and mosquitos are not active yet. Medano Pass Primitive Road is largely still closed through April, with limited access to lower portions as weather allows. During June, the waterflow slows bringing hordes of mosquitos for 4–6 weeks depending on weather conditions.
Summer (July to August): Between 80ºF and 90ºF, July is the warmest month of the year. Surface temperatures on the dunes can reach 150ºF in the heat of the day so plan to hike early or late in the day. This is a great time to venture upland into the mountains. At higher elevations, wildflowers are at their peak and snowpack at its lowest. Like clockwork, afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August, so be watchful of cloud patterns to avoid lightning strikes on the dunes. These daily storms usually move quickly, clearing up by sunset. By August, the creek is dry and mosquitos are gone.
Fall (September to November): As temperatures return to comfortable ranges, September sees some of the best conditions for the park. Calm, stable weather makes for sunny skies. Aspen trees turn gold along the mountain range, starting at higher elevations in September and continuing down to the dunes in October. With the decrease in visitation, elk and pronghorn return to the grasslands just outside the dunefield. The first snow of the season typically falls by late October, around Halloween. Sandhill cranes stop in the valley before they conclude their migration in New Mexico in late November. Medano Pass Primitive Road is usually open through Thanksgiving as weather permits.
Winter (December to March): December sees the heaviest snowfall, but January is the coldest month of the year with highs of 30ºF. Colder temperatures freeze the sand, making it firmer and therefore easier to hike. Higher elevation trails require snowshoes and/or gaiters at this point. February sees the return of the sandhill cranes, usually lingering around through the end of March when they migrate further north to Canada. March brings the most unpredictable weather of the year. Mornings are typically sunny and calm, with high winds and storms in the afternoons.

How long should I visit Great Sand Dunes?

Because access is generally limited to the main attractions around the dunefield, the park can easily be seen in 1 day. However, 2 days allows optimal time to catch golden hour on the dunes as well as a chance to stargaze. It is best to spend mornings and evenings on the dunes and afternoons in the shaded foothills. Unless you have an 4WD vehicle to explore Medano Pass Primitive Road, there is not much value in staying beyond 2 days. Most of your activities will be exhausted by then.

Getting to Great Sand Dunes

With only one entrance, getting to Great Sand Dunes is simple, but by nature of its remote location it is not easy. Located 125 miles away via mountain highways, Pueblo is the closest largest city. Once in the San Luis Valley, drive north along Highway 150 from Highway 160 (Alamosa), or east along County Lane 6 from Highway 17 (Mosca) to access the main entrance.

If arriving by air, San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS) in Alamosa is the nearest option (38 miles), though generally expensive. Airports in Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Denver, though further away will offer better rates and schedules. All airports offer rental cars.

Where to stay in Great Sand Dunes

Lodging—Great Sand Dunes does not have any hotel-style accommodations within park boundaries, though a privately-owned lodge, rustic cabins and a motel are located just south of the entrance station. Alamosa and Fort Garland offer additional options further from the park.

Campgrounds—Pinon Flats Campground is the only front-country campground within park boundaries, located at the end of Main Park Road near the start of Medano Pass Primitive Road. This campground does not have showers, though the Dunes Parking area has cold water rinse showers at the trailhead. Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov.

Pinon Flats Campground—88 sites (RV and tent), open year-round

When should I book?

Reservations for spring and summer should be made as early as possible (6 months in advance). The busiest season is always late May and early June during peak flow of the Medano Creek. Expect all campsites (including surrounding area campgrounds) to be booked well in advance during this 3–4 week window. Even beyond June, weekends fill up fast. Weekdays may offer some options, but plan to be flexible. Spaces are usually completely booked by March. July and August may offer some weekday options, they are sparse. September’s schedule begins to open up though Labor Day is usually a high-visitation day.

How much should I budget?

A 2-day trip to Great Sand Dunes booked 6 months in advance can cost around $500–$700 depending on your required needs. Here is a range of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to Denver	$250–$400
Car Rental	$80–$120/day (not including taxes/fees)
Pinon Flats Campground	$20/night (not including taxes/fees)
Area Lodging	$120–$200/night (not including taxes/fees)
Meals	$10–$20/meal
Entrance Fee	$30/vehicle

Packing list for Great Sand Dunes

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Great Sand Dunes National Park, we wouldn’t want to be caught without hiking shoes, hiking sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, layered clothing, raincoat, and a water bottle.

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into our trip to Great Sand Dunes.

For more detailed information on Great Sand Dunes National Park, visit the official park website.