Great Sand Dunes – I Love National Parks

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado, was authorized to become a National Park in 2000 to protect the highest sand dunes in North America. It took a few years for the National Park Service to purchase all the additional land covering the areas water sources, but the Dunes finally became a Park on September 13th, 2004.

Visitor Rating (write your own review below)

Overall rating: ★★★★☆ based on 2 reviews.

Such a unique experience!

Great Sand Dunes

★★★★☆

“ Hiking at the dunes is different than anywhere else--set your own course and prepare for two steps forward, one step back. Great fun, though!”

- Dan

Ever changing!

Great Sand Dunes

★★★★☆

“ I have visited this park a few times and first 2 were in the same summer. It amazed me to see how much things changed in 30 days. The first visit there was a small stream to wade through. Less , and the 30 days later that water was completely gone and the shape of the sand dunes was a little different. Each time I visit I leave wishing I owned a 4-wheel drive vehicle. They have signs posted for changing the air pressure before proceeding. My ultimate dream would be driving to the top of the dunes, then sledding down the hills (yes, you really can - bring your snow sleds along) and having someone pick me up at the bottom.”

- Cheryl Lyn

ILNP Rating

Scenery

Uniqueness

Wildlife

Diversity

ILNP Park Review

In a Word. “Inviting”

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it it is going.” -John 3:8

Our Visit. I’ve visited the Great Sand Dunes four times, once in September with my parents, once in the summer with my wife, once with my wife and our then 2-year-old in October and most recently in February with our then 7- and 4-year old boys. The fall visits were by far the most scenic, though climbing was easier in February.

Our Weather. September was very pleasant but a bit breezy and very overcast. Our summer visit was windy and rainy the entire time we were there. October was partly cloudy and hazy but otherwise fabulous weather with a temperature in the 70s, and February was clear and sunny but only in the 30s.

Overall Impression. The Great Sand Dunes seem very out-of-place in the mountains of Colorado. To get there, you drive through pine forests, snow-capped mountains and passes to end up in the San Luis Valley guarded by the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains. While the dunes may initially look small compared to their setting, once you’re on them, you have no doubt they are enormous and climbing them will take all your strength. To have an immense field of sand here when there is no desert nearby is certainly intriguing, but to climb and play on the dunes is to be a kid again.

Favorite Spot. Climbing to High Dune

Fall is an amazing time to visit the dunes. This is shot near the Mosca Creek area looking toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (Mt Herard – 13,297ft). That’s my wife and son in the middle of the picture (October)

Minimum Time Required. About 2 hours. In this time, you can drive to the visitor center at Mosca Creek and climb around the dunes for a while. While it may appear simple to climb to the ridge and peer over the other side, this will take more time than you think because the dense sand literally makes it 2 steps forward, one step back. Don’t let this deter you, though, because even a little time spent trudging through the sandscape is worthwhile. Early fall adds an extra dimension of color to the dunes with large patches of yellow foliage.

A Longer Visit. To really climb the dunes and see the rest this place has to offer, plan on at least 1/2 to a full day. In a 1/2 day, Mosca Creek and the dunes should still be your priority, but now you’ll have time to climb to the top (about 70 to 120 minutes depending on what kind of shape you’re in). When you finally peer over the rim, you’ll see miles and miles of more dunes!

The dunes are a phenomenal place for kids. Mine enjoyed rolling down hundreds of feet of dune at a time. Because the wind reforms the dunes fairly quickly, there are very few restrictions on what you can do. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the dunes, but you can take skis, snowboards, toboggans, etc. onto the dunes to make for a more exciting trip down. As of the time of this writing, dogs are also allowed on the dunes (check with the NPS website before taking your dogs).

Walking along the ridgelines saves energy compared to a more direct route. This is near the top of High Dune (February)

When you’re through with the dunes for a while, consider hiking through the low pine forests to the east of the dunes where there’s picnic areas and a great chance you’ll see wildlife. We’ve seen a lot of mule deer in our visits.

Suggestions. Take two pairs of shoes and socks because the sand will get everywhere! Hiking takes longer than you might initially think, so plan on packing some water with you on your dunes trek.

When you hike the dunes, stick to the ridgelines on the way up. It will make the hike longer, but it will also be less strenuous.

Take your camera to the top of the dunes with you–don’t be a dummy like me and leave the only camera with the one who isn’t going to make the top.

The dunes are a great place for kids to play with few limitations (February)

If you can help it, don’t go when it’s supposed to rain much of the day. Most Colorado storms will blow over in an hour-or-so, making them easy to work around, but persistent rains and wind equal soaking misery on the unprotected dunes.

We found hiking the dunes much easier in the winter because the sand was still moist from recent snow-melt. The harder sand made steps more productive with less sliding. Be sure to pick a day with sun and low winds, and don’t expect the scenery to be as nice.

Nearby Towns Mosca, Alamosa, Walsenburg (Colorado)

Other Nearby Attractions San Luis Lakes State Park (bird watching), and believe it or not, there is an alligator farm which caters to visitors just northwest of the dunes.

Official NPS Website Great Sand Dunes NP and Preserve

: This is the view of the dunes you get from near the entrance to the park. It puts them into perspective with the surrounding mountains, but they still look much smaller than they do up close (February)

: There is about a quarter mile of sand between the parking lot and the first dunes, a great place to run around or even fly a kite, but watch out for larger rocks or even a creek when the water level of Medano Creek is up (February)

: The dunes are a great place for kids to play with few limitations (February)

: Walking along the ridgelines saves energy compared to a more direct route. This is near the top of High Dune (February)

: Once you reach the top ridge, you’ll see lots of dunes beyond. This is the view from the main ridge about 500 feet above the valley floor near High Dune with Mount Herard in the background (February)

: How kids get down the dunes. To give a perspective on how large the dunes are, the dot to the upper right of the snow patch in the center is a person (February)

: Dunes are fun for all ages! (October)

: Fall is an amazing time to visit the dunes. This is shot near the Mosca Creek area looking toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (Mt Herard – 13,297ft). That’s my wife and son in the middle of the picture (October)

: Mount Blanca, a nearby 14,000 foot peak, as seen from the park (September)

: Hiking the dunes is a real treat but also a real challenge as each step slides back toward the last (September)

: There are few restrictions on the dunes as the persistent winds “heal” them continually. Hiking, playing, rolling and even sledding are encouraged (September)

: View of the dunes from near the Visitor Center (September)

: Besides the dunes there are forests to explore and wildlife to see like these mule deer bucks (September)

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