Great Sand Dunes National Park

The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve yields an other-worldly experience. Home to the tallest dunes in North America, the national park protects over 30.0mi and contains over 5 billion cubic meters of sand. The enormous sandbox that dominates the landscape between Saguache and Alamosa invites intrepid adventurers from all over the globe to come and explore.

Set again the backdrop of the craggy peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Great Sand Dunes National Park exposes some of the most postcard-perfect scenery in the country. Exhibiting Colorado’s topographic diversity, the stark contrast of desert dunes and snow-capped summits makes for an incredible playground for eager outdoor enthusiasts to indulge.

Hiking is undoubtedly the most popular activity in the Great Sand Dunes National Park; from dune treks to alpines ascents—there is ample terrain to explore. Not a hiker? No worries, there are countless adventure opportunities to satisfy all sorts of explorers! From sand sledding, surfing, horseback riding, tubing, and 4-wheel tours, you can experience this geological wonder in a multitude of ways. One of the best experiences in the park is an evening stroll atop the dune field. Stargaze and revel in the shadows that reveal the enormity of the sandhills.

Formed over thousands of years from the eroding sands and southwest winds from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the dune field is surprisingly one of the most biologically diverse areas in the state. Admire the ecosystem’s variety of flora and fauna as you hike up the sand-sculpted ridges that bound the Medano Creek. Flowing from the alpine snowmelt of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Medano Creek is a seasonal body of water that runs adjacent to the dunes on the eastern flank. Heavily dependent on the season and weather conditions, the small layer of refreshing water that floods the base of the dunes is a popular watering hole for tourists and locals alike.

We urge you to add the Great Sand Dunes National Park to your itinerary when planning your next adventure. Open year-round, these impressive mounds of sand and the surrounding alpine terrain warrant unforgettable memories and breathtaking panoramas.