Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

National Park Service, Colorado.

Open 24/7 year round! There are no timed entries or reservations to visit. The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless night to experience countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park!

Camping and Day Use

  • Pinon Flats Campground

Activities and Experiences

  • Great Sand Dunes National Park Backcountry Permits

Site Passes

  • Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Site Pass

Nearby Activities

  • Auto Touring
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Historic & Cultural Site
  • Horse Camping
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hunting
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming
  • Water Sports
  • Wildlife Viewing

Directions

To access the main park area, including the Dunes Parking Lot, Visitor Center, and Pinon Flats Campground, take US 160 to CO 150 from the south, or CO 17 to Lane 6 to CO 150 from the west. The national park is at the north end of CO 150.

Additional Information

  • Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Map
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Official Website

Photo Gallery

  • Girl Floating Medano CreekVisitors can float Medano Creek's waves during late spring peak flow, in years of good snowpack
  • Dunes and Crestone Peaks at SunsetThe view at the park entrance contrasts giant dunes and snow-capped mountains.
  • Gold Cottonwoods, Dunes, and Cleveland PeakExperiencing Great Sand Dunes in the quieter seasons of fall and winter can be a rewarding experience.
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
  • Gold Aspens, Dunes, and Cleveland PeakVisit in late September/early October to experience aspens at peak above the dunes.
  • Sandhill Cranes Dancing, Dunes, and Mount HerardSandhill cranes spend part of the spring and fall in the San Luis Valley each year. Look for them in farm fields during daytime, then in wetlands from sunset to sunrise. In spring, they dance to attract mates.
  • Girl Sandboarding Above Castle Creek Picnic AreaRent specially designed sandboards or sand sleds. Note: cardboard, snow sleds, saucers, etc. don't slide on dry sand.
  • Girl in Medano CreekMedano Creek is a popular seasonal stream that flows around the base of the dunes in late spring/early summer.
  • Campsite in Pinyon Flats CampgroundPinyon Flats has 88 individual sites, located in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
  • Pinyon Flats CampgroundPinyon Flats Campground is a National Park Service campground located in Great Sand Dunes National Park.
  • Woman Beside Waterfall, Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
  • Woman at Cottonwood Pass, Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
  • Gold Cottonwoods, Dunes, and Cleveland Peak
  • Girls Sand SleddingRent specially designed sand sleds to slide on the dry sand. Note: cardboard, snow sleds, saucers, and other items don't slide on dry sand.
  • Elk, Grasslands, Dunes, and Sangre de Cristo MountainsElk are sometimes seen by visitors along the park entrance road or County Lane 6, primarily fall through spring.
  • Girl SandboardingRent a specially designed sandboard or sand sled. Note: cardboard, snow sleds, saucers, etc. don't slide on dry sand.
  • Lower Sand Creek Lake, Great Sand Dunes National PreserveSpectacular alpine lakes are part of the backcountry of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
  • Upper Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National PreserveSand Creek Basin, part of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, contains lush forests and alpine lakes.
  • Girls Hiking in Gold Aspens, Mosca Pass, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
  • Boy Next to Mosca Creek, Montville Loop Trail, Great Sand Dunes National Park
  • Hikers on Dunefield at SunsetPlan to hike the dunes in early morning or evening during summer to avoid 150 F sand temperatures or lightning.
  • Sandhill Cranes Flying Over Wetland West of DunefieldSandhill cranes spend part of each spring and fall in the San Luis Valley.
  • Wetland, Great Sand Dunes National ParkWetlands west of the dunefield are lush and green in mid-summer.
  • Fall Colors Along Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National ParkFall is a pretty time to visit the park, with great colors and generally nice weather.
  • Red Osier Dogwood and Aspens in Fall, Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National ParkRed Osier Dogwood and Aspens in Fall, Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park. Hike the Mosca Pass Trail in fall for views like this.
  • Children Floating Medano CreekMedano Creek is a popular beach environment at the base of the Great Sand Dunes. It flows seasonally April through June, with peak flow in late May.
  • View of Dunes and Sangre de Cristo Mountains from Park EntranceThe classic view from the Great Sand Dunes main entrance

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