Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in Colorado, United States. This national park is about 750 feet that conserves an area of large sand dunes and here you will have a different experience than any other park. The two mountain streams, the Medano and Sand Creeks dragged the sand from the mountainside of the great sand dunes and took it around to recycle it on the valley floor. This movement was done constantly by water and wind to preserve the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It is the tallest sand dune in North America.
Many people have visited this park and they had a very good and different feel with this park. It is a small park and so the activities to do in this park are fewer. There are hiking, ranger programs, and gorgeous sunsets that give you a different feel. Sandboarding and sand sledding are amazing in this park. Overall, you will have so much fun and children will love playing with sand.
Activities to do in the Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Walk on the dunes
- Hike to the tallest dune in North America
- Go sand sledding or sandboarding
- Drive through the Medano Pass primitive road
- Watch the gorgeous sunsets
- Photography
- Visit Zapata falls
- Spend the night under the stars
Sandboards and Sand Sleds
You need to have a sandboard or sand sled that is made for use on the sand, for sandboarding, or sand sledding. Even if you don’t have it or did not bring it, there are many shops nearby where you can rent it on a daily basis.
How much time needed to experience the Great Sand Dunes National Park?
I would suggest you spend one full day having a great experience in this park. You can go to the park early in the morning when the temperatures are low and you can start hiking and is also a good time to do sandboarding. You can go to the Zapata Falls during midday. And then return to the dune field in the late afternoon, have a nice dinner, and watch the beautiful sunset.
Weather at the Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park is open year-round. The perfect time to visit the park is during the fall and spring months where the temperature is mild. During winter, the temperature will be very low and you will feel colder.
Where to stay?
There are no lodges or hotels in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. If you want to stay in the park, you will have to camp in the Pinon Flats campground or you will have to get a backcountry permit to park on the dunes. Great Sand Dunes Oasis and Great Sand Dunes Lodge are just outside the park.