Great Sand Dunes National Park is certainly unique. There are activities here that you simply won’t find in most other national parks, from climbing enormous sand dunes to sledding and sandboarding across their slopes.
When we first saw the dunes rising from the San Luis Valley with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains behind them, it was hard to believe we were looking at a national park. The combination of desert-like dunes, high mountains, grasslands, forests, and seasonal water makes this one of the most unusual landscapes we’ve encountered.
If you only have one day, you can experience many of the park’s highlights, but you’ll want to start early, especially during the warmer months.
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Table of Contents
Great Sand Dunes National Park: What to Know Before You Go
- Park hours: Open 24 hours a day, year-round. It’s also an International Dark Sky Park, making sunrise, sunset, and stargazing great options.
- Visitor center: Hours vary by season. Stop early for current conditions and ranger information. Check official park website for changes.
- Entrance fees: An entrance fee applies. The America the Beautiful Pass is accepted.
- Bring water: There is no water on the dunes. Bring plenty, especially when climbing.
- Wear proper footwear: Closed-toe hiking shoes are recommended. Sand can become extremely hot.
- Sun and wind: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. There is very little shade on the dunes, and the bright sand reflects sunlight from every direction. Wind can blow sand into your eyes and camera equipment.
- Cell service: Service can be limited. Download maps before arriving.
- Pets: Pets are allowed in designated areas but must be leashed. Hot sand can burn their paws.
- Sandboarding and sledding: Use equipment specifically designed for sand. Rentals are available outside the park.
- Altitude: The park sits around 8,000 feet, so take it easy if you’re coming from lower elevations.
Arriving at Great Sand Dunes National Park
We left Riverside Meadows in South Fork and headed east on Highway 160 toward Great Sand Dunes National Park. The drive through the Alamosa Valley took us past wide-open meadows and farmland, with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains providing a beautiful backdrop.
As we got closer to the park, the landscape began to change. Then we caught our first glimpse of the Great Sand Dunes rising from the valley floor with the mountains towering behind them. Seeing them for the first time was an exciting—and slightly perplexing—experience. The combination of towering mountains and what looks like a desert of sand doesn’t seem like it should fit together.
But that’s exactly what makes this place so fascinating. The relationship between the mountains, wind, water, and sand is what created the enormous dunes we came to see.
From there, we headed to the Great Sand Dunes National Park Visitor Center to get oriented before exploring the dunes.
Great Sand Dunes National Park Visitor Center
The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Visitor Center is a good first stop before heading into the dunes. Pick up a park map, check current conditions, and talk with a ranger about what to expect during your visit. The exhibits and short orientation film also provide a helpful introduction to the park’s geology, wildlife, and unique dune system.
The visitor center has restrooms and water, and kids can pick up information about the Junior Ranger program. It’s worth taking a few minutes here before heading farther into the park, especially if this is your first visit.
From the visitor center, continue toward the main dune area and Dunes Parking Area, where the real adventure begins.
Climbing the Dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park
From the Dunes Parking Area, we started our climb into the heart of the dune field. At first, the dunes looked deceptively close and easy to reach. Once we started walking, we quickly realized that distances are misleading when you’re looking across a sea of sand.
The soft sand made every step harder than expected. At times, it felt like for every two steps forward, we took one step back. The higher we climbed, the more our calves complained. I have to admit, my calves were hurting badly by the time we reached the higher dunes!
The heat and wind added another challenge. There is very little shade, and the sand gets hot under the Colorado sun. The wind constantly shifted the sand around us, and somehow we managed to get sand inside our shoes despite our best efforts. We quickly understood why starting early is such good advice, especially during the warmer months.
But the climb was worth the effort. As we gained elevation, the views became more impressive. Looking back across the dune field toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the landscape seemed to stretch forever. The contrast between the golden dunes, green valley, and rugged mountains is what makes Great Sand Dunes so remarkable.
And then there was the trip back down. Coming down was considerably easier than going up. We could almost run or slide down the soft sand, making the return to the parking area much more enjoyable.
A Few Things to Know Before Climbing
- The mileage can be deceiving. Walking through loose sand is much more strenuous than walking the same distance on a trail.
- Start early. The sand and temperatures can become uncomfortable later in the day.
- Bring plenty of water. There is little shade once you’re on the dunes.
- Protect your feet. Closed-toe shoes are a good choice, particularly when the sand is hot.
- Expect wind. Sand can blow into your face, shoes, and camera equipment wear eye protection.
- Give yourself plenty of time. Don’t judge your hike by distance alone.
Hiking the Dunes
The dunes don’t have marked trails, so once you leave the Medano Creek bed, you can choose your own route across the sand. For most visitors, High Dune on the First Ridge is the popular destination. It rises about 688 feet from the base and offers excellent views across the dunefield. From the main Dunes Parking Area, the hike is about 2.5 miles round trip.
For us, the distance didn’t sound particularly intimidating. The sand was another story.
Walking uphill through loose sand was much harder than hiking the same distance on a traditional trail. With every step, our feet sank into the sand, and it often felt like we were taking two steps forward and one step back. The higher we climbed, the more our calves complained. By the time we reached the higher dunes, my legs were definitely feeling the workout!
The heat and wind added another challenge. Sand got into our shoes, the wind constantly shifted the surface, and there was very little shade. Summer sand temperatures can reach around 150°F, so an early morning or evening climb is much more comfortable during the warmer months.
But the views made the effort worthwhile. Looking back across the dunes toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, we could see just how enormous this landscape really is. What looks like a relatively short climb from the parking area becomes a completely different experience once you’re standing high on the dunes.
And coming back down? Much easier! Instead of fighting the soft sand with every step, we could almost run down the slopes. After all that climbing, it was a welcome—and much faster—trip back to the parking area.ng the return to the parking area considerably more enjoyable.
What About Star Dune?
If you’re looking for a much bigger challenge, Star Dune is one of the two tallest dunes in North America. The NPS currently lists it at 741 feet from base to summit. From the main Dunes Parking Lot, the more direct route follows the Medano Creek bed for about two miles before climbing to the summit. The complete hike averages about 6 miles round trip and six hours, although it can take considerably longer if you’re not acclimated to the elevation.
Hidden Dune is now identified by the NPS as the tallest dune in North America, also at about 741 feet. It’s considerably more remote, requiring about 7 miles round trip and roughly six hours from the main Dunes Parking Lot.
For a one-day visit, I would not make Star Dune or Hidden Dune part of your required itinerary. High Dune gives most visitors an excellent taste of what it’s like to climb the dunes without turning the entire day into one strenuous hike.
Sandboarding and Sledding on the Dunes
After our hike, we spent some time sitting in the sand and watching visitors sandboard and sled down the dunes. It looked like a lot of fun, and it was entertaining to watch people make their way to the top before flying back down the slopes.
If you want to try it yourself, you’ll need a sandboard or sand sled specifically designed for use on sand. Regular snow sleds and snowboards don’t work well on the dunes. Equipment can be rented from outfitters in the communities outside the park, so it’s a good idea to pick up your gear before heading into the park.
After a day of climbing through the sand, you’ll probably appreciate the outdoor showers near the Dunes Parking Area. They’re a convenient way to rinse the sand off before getting back in the car.
For us, even watching everyone else tackle the dunes was part of the fun. After working our way up and down High Dune, we were happy to sit back and enjoy the spectacle for a while.
Medano Creek: Cool Off at the Base of the Dunes
Medano Creek is one of the most unusual features of Great Sand Dunes National Park. The creek flows along the base of the dunes and depends on snowmelt and rainfall from the surrounding mountains, so its flow can vary dramatically from year to year.
When conditions are right, the creek can produce a phenomenon known as surge flow. As snowmelt moves down the mountains and into the creek, the water can build and release in rhythmic waves. The result is a shallow, wave-like flow that makes the creek a popular place for wading, splashing, and cooling off after exploring the dunes.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to experience it that way. During our visit, the creek had very little flow because of drought conditions and limited snowmelt. We were disappointed because we’d been looking forward to cooling our feet in the water after climbing the dunes.
If Medano Creek is flowing during your visit, it’s worth making time for it. The water can provide a welcome break from the heat of the sand, and it’s one of the experiences that makes Great Sand Dunes feel so different from other national parks.
More Things to Do Near Great Sand Dunes
Medano Pass Primitive Road
f you have more than one day—or want to trade some time on the dunes for a mountain adventure—Medano Pass Primitive Road is another option. The road travels through a narrow canyon into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offering a completely different perspective of the landscape.
This is not a typical scenic drive. The road becomes increasingly rough as you travel toward the pass, and a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle is required beyond the designated point. Conditions can change with weather, so check with the park before heading out.
We didn’t make the full drive during our visit. Instead, we explored part of the route and enjoyed the changing scenery as the landscape transitioned from the dunes and grasslands into the mountain forest. It was a nice reminder that there is much more to Great Sand Dunes than the massive dunes themselves.
If you have the time and the right vehicle, Medano Pass can be a great addition to a longer Great Sand Dunes visit. For a one-day itinerary, however, I’d consider it optional rather than trying to squeeze it into an already busy day.
Mosca Pass Trail: An Alternative Hike
If you’d rather escape the heat of the dunes and spend some time in the mountains, Mosca Pass Trail is a great alternative. Instead of climbing through loose sand, this trail takes you into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, passing through meadows and stands of aspen and pine along the way.
The trail climbs toward Mosca Pass, with views across the San Luis Valley along the route. It’s a much different hiking experience from the dunes and gives you a chance to experience the mountain environment that helps make Great Sand Dunes so unique.
This isn’t a hike I’d try to add to a one-day itinerary that already includes climbing the dunes, sandboarding, and Medano Creek. Think of Mosca Pass as an alternative if hiking is your priority or as an option for a second day.
Add Zapata Falls to Your Great Sand Dunes Trip
If you have extra time, Zapata Falls is an excellent addition to a Great Sand Dunes trip. The falls are just outside the park, making them easy to combine with a visit to the dunes.
Getting there was part of the adventure for us. We followed the rough, washboard-like dirt road toward the trailhead before starting the short hike to the falls. The trail is only about a mile round trip, but it isn’t a completely straightforward walk. You’ll need to navigate a section of shallow, cold water and slippery rocks as you make your way toward the falls.
The trail eventually passes through a narrow, cave-like section before opening up to Zapata Falls, where water drops about 30 feet into the rocky canyon. The snowmelt-fed water was absolutely freezing, but after spending time hiking across the hot dunes, it was a refreshing change.
Be prepared to get your feet wet, and take your time on the slippery rocks. Good traction and footwear that can handle water will make the experience much easier.
Zapata Falls isn’t part of the national park, but it’s close enough that we think it’s worth adding to your Great Sand Dunes itinerary if you have the time. It also gives you another opportunity to experience the water and mountains that help make this area so unique.
Final Thoughts: One Day at Great Sand Dunes National Park
As the sun began painting the dunes orange and pink, we reflected on what a unique day we’d had. We’ve visited some incredible landscapes, but the combination of massive dunes, mountains, and Medano Creek makes this place unlike anywhere else we’ve explored.
One day is enough to experience the highlights, although there’s plenty more to see if you have additional time.
If you’re planning a larger Colorado road trip, check out our Best 10 Day National Park Colorado Trip Itinerary for the complete route. You can also add Manitou Springs to your itinerary if you’re continuing toward Colorado Springs.
For us, Great Sand Dunes National Park was definitely worth the stop. The scenery is unforgettable, and climbing those enormous dunes is an experience we’ll remember for a long time.
Have you visited Great Sand Dunes? What was your favorite experience? Let us know in the comments below!
