Great Sand Dunes National Park, housing the tallest dune in North America, is a huge playground. It is a beautiful place in the San Luis Valley to visit. This Colorado National Park encompasses more than 149,000 acres of land, which means there is plenty of room for visitors to explore.
Our Experience at Great Sand Dunes National Park
My family and I had a blast exploring these epic dunes for a day at the end of May during our 12-day Colorado Road Trip. From climbing up and down the dunes until your legs are tired to sand sledding and cooling off in Medano Creek, here are my suggestions on what to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park along with other practical information to make your trip amazing.
Table of Contents
One Day Itinerary: Great Sand Dunes National Park
Start your adventure at the Visitor Center, then have a blast with sandboarding or sand sledding on the dunes! Cool off in Medano Creek, conquer the tallest dune in North America, and take a drive down the Medano Pass Primitive Road.
Enjoy a forest hike, check out nearby Zapata Falls, and catch the breathtaking sunset over the dunes. Stay a little longer to gaze at the magical Milky Way in the night sky!
Things to Do at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park, one of 4 Colorado National Parks, offers a unique experience that can’t be found anywhere else. Visitors can blaze their own trail and even camp right on the dunes. The park is also a great place for hiking, biking, fishing, and 4WD exploring.
Start at the Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is a perfect way to kick off your day at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Exhibits showcase the historical cultures of the area, the ecosystem and geology of the dunes, a special night sky video, and an interactive sand-wind exhibit.
After getting some brochures, buying a souvenir or two, and checking out the visitor center, head outside to explore the other things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Go Sandboarding or Sand Sledding on the Dunes
The sand dunes are like a huge playground! Rent sand sleds and/or sandboards to maximize your fun at the dunes. Riding a sand sled or sandboard down the dunes at the park is such a fun and thrilling experience!
You cannot rent sandboards inside the park. There are a few locations that have daily rentals. I suggest Kristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa. They allow you to return the boards by 10 a.m. the following morning and their customer service is top-notch.
For rentals closer to the park, check out Great Sand Dunes Oasis. They also provide daily rentals for boards and sleds.
Note: rentals are typically not available if there is ice on the dunes. Check with the rental company in advance if you are traveling during the colder months.
Splash in Medano Creek
Medano Creek is a seasonal stream that runs near the dunes in the park. The creek is a popular spot for visitors to cool off and play. Pack some swimsuits and inner tubes and join the crowds playing and relaxing in this refreshing water.
If you time your trip right, you can experience this unique thing to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park for yourself. The creek starts to emerge in April and begins receding in July. Late May is when it is at its peak.
If you want to continue onto the dunes, you must cross the creek to get there. We didn’t realize this and ended up having to take our socks and shoes off to pass through the water. Sturdy sandals that can get wet are the best option for this time of year.
Great Sand Dunes National Park has over 500,000 annual visitors. It can become extremely crowded, especially when the Medano Creek is running.
To secure parking, aim to arrive at the main parking area beyond the visitor center early or late in the day. There isn’t enough parking to accommodate all of the visitors in the middle of the day.
Summit the Tallest Dune in North America
If you are up for the hike, one of the best things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park is to summit the tallest dune in North America. Star Dune holds the title at 750 feet.
The first ridge that you will come to is High Dune. Continue on to reach Star Dune.
Once you have conquered that feat, explore more of the 30-square-mile dune field. There are no trails on the dunes. Make your own path and explore as much (or as little) as you want.
Our take: Since we were traveling with young kids, we didn’t make it to the summit. Hiking on the sand is challenging, and the kids weren’t up for it. Instead, we had a blast spending most of our time in the park sand sledding.
Drive the Medano Pass Primitive Road
The Medano Pass Primitive Road is a unique way to experience Great Sand Dunes National Park. The road is 22 miles long and crosses Medano Creek nine times. It often offers views of bighorn sheep. The fall is an especially beautiful time to drive this road.
The road is only open to vehicles with 4WD, so it’s perfect for those who want an adventure. Mountain Master Off-Road Tours provides Jeep tours.
Take a Hike Through the Forest
With one day in Great Sand Dunes National Park, the Montville Nature Trail offers the easiest forest hike within the park. It is a refreshing retreat from the summer heat of the dunes.
At the start of the shaded trail, you can pick up a booklet with numbered stops to learn about the mountain pass and the community of 20 homes that used to be here in the late 1800s.
This hike is a short 0.5-mile round trip, lasting around 30 minutes. Start at the Mosca Pass parking lot located just north of the visitor center.
See Zapata Falls
Although this isn’t technically in the park, Zapata Falls is close enough to tack onto this one-day Great Sand Dunes National Park itinerary. The hike is a moderately challenging one, taking about 30 minutes to complete, covering around 1 mile round trip.
Watch the Sunset Over the Dunes
There’s a special feeling when you see the sun setting behind the dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Whether you’re with friends, family, or alone, this natural wonder will stay with you. Relax, breathe, and enjoy the beauty of the moment.
Stay After Dark to See the Milky Way
There is no better way to end your one day at Great Sand Dunes National Park than doing some stargazing. Seeing the Milky Way for the first time is a life-changing experience, and it’s something that everyone should have the opportunity to do.
Lucky for us, Great Sand Dunes National Park is an excellent place to see the Milky Way. It was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. Visit on a moonless night to get the best views.
Cost of Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park charges an admission fee of $25 for private vehicles. Or, you can purchase the annual park pass that gives you access to over 2000 federal recreation sites for $80.
What is the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park is in late spring. The weather is warm but not scorching and there’s a ton of fun activities. Don’t miss splashing around in Medano Creek during these months. Plus, you can join ranger-led hikes, engaging talks, and evening programs.
Another great time to visit is the fall when the aspens are changing color. The park is located in southern Colorado, and the aspen trees put on a beautiful show of gold, yellow, and orange. The weather is usually mild at that time of year, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to the mid-70s.
How to get to Great Sand Dunes National Park
Even though Great Sand Dunes National Park is not close to any major towns, it is easy to get there by car. For the best rates on rental cars, check out Discover Cars.
- Denver to Great Sand Dunes National Park: 235 miles, about 4 hours
- Colorado Springs to Great Sand Dunes National Park: 165 miles, about 3 hours
- Rocky Mountain National Park to Great Sand Dunes: 300 miles, about 5 hours
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to Great Sand Dunes: 195 miles, about 3.5 hours
- Santa Fe to Great Sand Dunes National Park: 170 miles, about 3 hours
Where to Stay Near Great Sand Dunes National Park
Camping Options
Great Sand Dunes National Park provides a single campground on-site named Piñon Flats Campground. Operating seasonally from April to October, the campground has restroom facilities but lacks hookups.
In addition to the campground, You are also allowed to set up camp directly on the dunes within the park. Enjoy the seclusion and get one-of-a-kind views at this International Dark Sky Park. To take advantage of this incredible experience, you must purchase your permit online.
If you would like more amenities while camping or need hookups, there are other campground options outside of the park.
Hotel options near Great Sand Dunes National Park
The closest accommodation option to the park is Great Sand Dunes Lodge. They offer no-frills accommodations with an outdoor patio and wifi.
Alamosa is the closest town, just 30 minutes away from the park, with a variety of hotel options. This is where we stayed during our visit.
Other Useful Tips for Visiting Great Sand Dunes
This unique national park requires some pre-planning to fully enjoy what it has to offer.
- Wear Proper Shoes: The surface temperature of the sand can reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This isn’t just when the air temperatures are extremely hot. Be prepared for the sand to be hot. Protect your feet with socks and shoes or sturdy sandals.
- Be Prepared for Changing Weather Conditions: The weather can change drastically on the dunes. Snow and afternoon winds are common in March and April. Summer brings warm temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms. Winter has cold temperatures sometimes below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Be prepared for these conditions.
- Drink Plenty of Water: The altitude in the park ranges from 7,500 feet to 13,600 feet. It is difficult to walk up the dunes. Because of these combined factors, altitude sickness is definitely possible. It is about a half-mile walk from the parking lot to the base of the dunes. Make sure to take plenty of water out to the dunes with you.
- Bring Food: Food options around the park are minimal. You are not going to want to leave to get food. Pack your own food. If you are hiking far onto the dunes, take food with you.
- Sun Protection: There is no protection from the sun and wind on the dunes. At a minimum, wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself. Long sleeves and pants are also a good idea.
I hope this list has inspired you to plan your own trip and experience all that this amazing destination has to offer.
- For information on other Colorado National Parks, check out these posts:
