Great Sand Dunes

Overview

Great Sand Dunes National Park contains the tallest sand dunes in North America, with Star Dune rising 750 feet above the San Luis Valley floor in south-central Colorado. The dunes formed over hundreds of thousands of years as prevailing winds carried sand from the Rio Grande floodplain and ancient lake beds against the western face of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, building an ever-growing sand sea that now covers 30 square miles. The result is a landscape that looks transplanted from the Sahara, backed by 14,000-foot snowcapped peaks. Medano Creek, a seasonal stream that flows at the base of the dune field from late May through June, creates a natural beach where families wade and splash against the surreal backdrop of towering dunes and mountain peaks. Climbing the dunes requires no trail or permit — visitors simply walk up the sand, though the climb to the top of High Dune (650 feet) takes one to two hours through soft, steep sand. Sandboarding and sand sledding are popular on the steeper slopes. Beyond the dunes, the park protects alpine lakes, tundra, and peaks above 13,000 feet in the Sangre de Cristos. The contrast between the sand sea and the alpine backcountry is unlike anything else in the national park system. Visit in late spring when Medano Creek is flowing and the mountains are still capped in snow for the full visual effect.

Things to Do

• Climb to the top of High Dune or Star Dune
• Splash in Medano Creek in late spring
• Sandboard or sand sled the dune slopes
• Hike to Medano Lake in the Sangre de Cristos
• Stargaze under International Dark Sky Park skies
• Photograph dunes against snow-capped peaks
• Drive the Medano Pass Primitive Road by 4WD

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for these animals during your visit:

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Sunny and dry with summer highs around 80°F at the dune base but intense sand surface heat. Afternoon thunderstorms are common. Winter brings snow that dusts the dunes dramatically.