Great Sand Dunes National Park Guide

Use our realist Great Sand Dunes Guide to plan your next adventure in this national park. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is a national park located in the Southern Colorado that is best know for its impressive dunes. We visited Great Sand Dunes National Park during our road trip of Colorado and Utah attractions.

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Getting to Great Sand Dunes

Great Sand Dunes are so enormous that you could see them far away from their actual location. They are located in San Luis Valley with a very flat landscape, which also contributes to enhanced visibility. We were driving from Black Canyon National Park, from Delta, CO via Gunnisson, CO and Poncha Springs, CO. We first saw Great Sand Dunes around the town of Moffat, CO, some 45 miles (72 km) away from the park. At first, the dunes looked a lot like the nearby mountains but very soon the color revealed their different nature. The closer to the park you get, the more apparent these differences become.

Where to Stay

Alamosa, CO is one of the closest towns to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Not surprisingly, the park’s popularity attracted visitors and sparked growth in the number of accommodation options available in this town. Accommodation often gets pricey during major holidays, so book early to get the best value.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

Once you arrive in the park, you have options to hike the dunes or continue further into the park. Please, keep in mind that driving beyond the Pinyon Flats will be on a primitive one-lane road that soon brings you to the Point of No Return. Driving beyond this point is only possible on a four-wheel drive.

Do not forget your annual pass to enjoy unlimited access to all national parks, monuments, and federally managed public lands for a full year.

Sights & Places of Interest

The park provides visitors with an opportunity to hike the dunes and enjoy their natural beauty. While it might not look like a requirement on the pictures, a special attire protecting eyes, face, and almost any open skin part is highly recommended for hiking in the sand dunes.

High Dune

The hikes to High Dune and Star Dune are located in the accessible area of the park. They are both the main and most popular hikes in Grand Sand Dunes National Park. However, in contrast to most other National Parks, there is no organized trail leading to the Dunes. You are free to choose any of the numerous paths to get to the top.

Star Dune

Do not be fooled by the peaceful appearance of sand on the pictures. You should be prepared to have and feel sand everywhere. Any unprotected part of your skin is likely to be covered in sand within several minutes due to strong side winds. Hiking uphill in the sand is also a completely different hiking experience. You have to both climb uphill and try to find a surface below your feet that is stable enough to keep you from falling down. This makes hiking challenging and you can easily spend a couple of hours for a round trip to the High Dune in this fairly hostile environment.

Sangre De Christo Mountains

An uphill climb continues with numerous ups and downs. You could climb 50 m (164 ft) just to find yourself going downhill for 20 m (65 ft) before climbing another 75 m (246 ft). While an uphill hike does not have a variety of views, a downhill hike provides a nice panorama of the nearby mountains, sand dunes, and blue sky.

Takeways: Great Sand Dunes

Great Sand Dunes National Park is a nice place to hike in the sand dunes far away from deserts and oceans. It is a truly unique national park experience and is definitely worth a visit. Be sure to dress appropriately to withstand the wind and minimize the sand cleanup after the hike. Enjoy the dunes and mountains views and leave behind just your footsteps.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!