Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Dunes and Crestone Peaks at Sunset

The view at the park entrance contrasts giant dunes and snow-capped mountains.

View of Dunes and Sangre de Cristo Mountains from Park Entrance

The classic view from the Great Sand Dunes main entrance

Woman Beside Waterfall, Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Campsite B 17

Campsite B-17

Open 24/7 year round! There are no limitations or reservations to visit, but there is currently limited capacity in the visitor center.

The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless night to experience this International Dark Sky Park's starry skies!

Gold Cottonwoods, Dunes, and Cleveland Peak

Experiencing Great Sand Dunes in the quieter seasons of fall and winter can be a rewarding experience.

Girl Floating Medano Creek

Visitors can float Medano Creek's waves during late spring peak flow, in years of good snowpack

Children Floating Medano Creek

Medano Creek is a popular beach environment at the base of the Great Sand Dunes. It flows seasonally April through June, with peak flow in late May.

Girls Sand Sledding

Rent specially designed sand sleds to slide on the dry sand. Note: cardboard, snow sleds, saucers, and other items don't slide on dry sand.

Girl Sandboarding

Rent a specially designed sandboard or sand sled. Note: cardboard, snow sleds, saucers, etc. don't slide on dry sand.

Girl Sandboarding Above Castle Creek Picnic Area

Rent specially designed sandboards or sand sleds. Note: cardboard, snow sleds, saucers, etc. don't slide on dry sand.

Girl in Medano Creek

Medano Creek is a popular seasonal stream that flows around the base of the dunes in late spring/early summer.

Campsite in Pinyon Flats Campground

Pinyon Flats has 88 individual sites, located in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Pinyon Flats Campground

Pinyon Flats Campground is a National Park Service campground located in Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Woman at Cottonwood Pass, Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Gold Cottonwoods, Dunes, and Cleveland Peak

Gold Aspens, Dunes, and Cleveland Peak

Visit in late September/early October to experience aspens at peak above the dunes.

Elk, Grasslands, Dunes, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Elk are sometimes seen by visitors along the park entrance road or County Lane 6, primarily fall through spring.

Sandhill Cranes Dancing, Dunes, and Mount Herard

Sandhill cranes spend part of the spring and fall in the San Luis Valley each year. Look for them in farm fields during daytime, then in wetlands from sunset to sunrise. In spring, they dance to attract mates.

Lower Sand Creek Lake, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Spectacular alpine lakes are part of the backcountry of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Upper Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Sand Creek Basin, part of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, contains lush forests and alpine lakes.

Girls Hiking in Gold Aspens, Mosca Pass, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Boy Next to Mosca Creek, Montville Loop Trail, Great Sand Dunes National Park

Hikers on Dunefield at Sunset

Plan to hike the dunes in early morning or evening during summer to avoid 150 F sand temperatures or lightning.

Sandhill Cranes Flying Over Wetland West of Dunefield

Sandhill cranes spend part of each spring and fall in the San Luis Valley.

Wetland, Great Sand Dunes National Park

Wetlands west of the dunefield are lush and green in mid-summer.

Fall Colors Along Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park

Fall is a pretty time to visit the park, with great colors and generally nice weather.

Red Osier Dogwood and Aspens in Fall, Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park

Red Osier Dogwood and Aspens in Fall, Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park. Hike the Mosca Pass Trail in fall for views like this.

Campsite B-17

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

RecAreaDirections

To access the main park area, including the Dunes Parking Lot, Visitor Center, and Pinon Flats Campground, take US 160 to CO 150 from the south, or CO 17 to Lane 6 to CO 150 from the west. The national park is at the north end of CO 150.

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Permits info

Facilities

Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites Campground

List of Campsites

Roadside camping is permitted at 21 campsites in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve beginning 5.2 miles from where the road begins near Piñon Flats Campground. These designated sites are free of charge and first-come, first-served. All 21 sites fill on summer weekends. Passable only in the warmer months and only with high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles. This road crosses areas of deep sand, traverses Medano Creek nine times, and passes through excellent habitat for bighorn sheep.

Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center Visitor Center

The visitor center offers flush toilets and drinking water. It also features a park store and information. Park rangers are available to answer questions and help you plan your hikes.

Pinon Flats Campground Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Pinon Flats Campground is located in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in southern Colorado. The huge dunes are the tallest in North America and comprise about 11 percent of an enormous sand deposit that covers more than 330 square miles.

The dunes have long stood as a landmark for travelers from ancient North Americans to Southern Ute, Jicarilla Apaches, Navajos, early explorers, gold miners, homesteaders, ranchers, farmers and migrant field workers, to you - today's park visitor.

Recreation

Great Sand Dunes' wide range of natural features provides endless outdoor recreational activities. The park is perfect for kids, who love exploring the dunefield on foot or by sled. Medano Creek, at the base of the dunes, is a popular place in the summertime. Kids and adults alike love to splash in the cool water.

Many kid-friendly, ranger-led activities and a junior ranger program are available.

Many miles of hiking and backpacking trails lead through the park's forests and alpine terrain, including the Mosca Pass Trail, Dunes Overlook/Sand Ramp Trail and Indian Grove Trail.

Facilities

Reservations are required to stay in Pinon Flats campground. The campground offers 86 campsites. The park recommends making a reservation in advance, especially for peak summer weekends and holidays. Private first-come, first-served camping is also available just outside the park boundary. For more information about camping, visit www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/camping.htm.

During visitor center operating hours, you can see a park film, experience interactive exhibits, speak with a helpful ranger and visit the Western National Parks Association store. Kids of all ages can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet or participate in the Junior Ranger Explorer program.

Natural Features

Great Sand Dunes are the magnificent centerpiece of a natural system that includes high mountain peaks, sparkling streams, vast grasslands and lush forests.

The campground is situated among pinon pines and sagebrush beneath the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Most sites have beautiful views of the snow-covered peaks.

A wide variety of grasses and wildflowers can be found throughout the area, and mule deer are commonly seen in and around the campground.

Nearby Attractions

Zapata Falls is just south of the national park off Highway 150. A short but slippery 1/2-mile hike leads to a 25-foot high cascade. Simply driving to the trailhead provides an excellent view of the entire dunefield and San Luis Valley, especially at sunrise or sunset. San Luis State Wildlife Area is located at the western edge of Great Sand Dunes National Park. It features a large natural lake popular for boating, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing and fishing.

Charges & Cancellations

Rules and Reservation Policies

Recreation Areas and Campground Database