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Colorado is home to four national parks, five national monuments, three national historic sites, four national historic trails, and one national recreation area.
There are endless opportunities to explore nature from scenic driving to hiking to biking to horseback riding. There’s also plenty of history and culture for visitors to learn.
Today, we’re looking at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. It had about the same number of yearly visitors as Mesa Verde National Park and showcases a unique landscape that you’ll only find in a few places in the U.S. Let’s dive in and learn more!
Where Is Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve?
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is home to the tallest dunes in North America. The park is located in south-central Colorado and includes part of the Rio Grand National Forest, San Isabel National Forest, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
I-25 is over an hour west of the national park, and the New Mexico border is about an hour south. It’s in a relatively remote area of Colorado but still accessible via multiple highways.
When Did Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Become A National Park?
In the late 1920s, a local chapter of the women’s P.E.O. club began seeking protection for these dunes in Colorado. They worried that cement and glass makers would ruin this natural wonder.
As a result of their efforts, President Herbert Hoover proclaimed the Great Sand Dunes a National Monument on March 17, 1932.
President Harry Truman and President Dwight D. Eisenhower altered the boundaries during their presidencies, increasing federal protection and designating specific wilderness areas. In 2000, Congress renamed the monument Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve but added that more land needed to be acquired and research done.
Therefore, it was called Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve for four more years.
Finally, on September 23, 2004, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton formally designated Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve as Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve once the land acquisition requirements were met.
Pro Tip: If you’re traveling through the West of the U.S. you may want to add The White Sand Dunes to your itinerary.
What’s So Special About Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve?
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve covers approximately 150,000 acres and includes the tallest dunes in North America. How did this happen when Colorado is a landlocked state?
Winds from the San Luis Valley blew sand to this region, where it built up over thousands of years. The sand dunes vary in height from 30 to 750 feet tall.
Although the dunes are the centerpiece of this Colorado park, visitors can also see grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra.
You might see tiger salamanders, mule deer, kangaroo rats, black bears, pronghorns, bullsnakes, or short-horned lizards. Over 250 species of birds have also been documented at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Like many parks in the Southwest U.S., Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is an International Dark Sky Park. Low light pollution, low humidity, and high elevation make this park ideal for viewing the night skies.
Visit on a moonless night from mid-summer to late fall to see the colors and formation of the Milky Way galaxy.
3 Most Popular Attractions In Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve isn’t a large park, and there aren’t a ton of things to do. Commercial tours are very popular.
Guests often rent jeeps, go horseback riding, or book an overnight backpacking tour. But if you want to spend just a day in the park, here are our top three things to do!
1. Go Sandboarding and Sledding
If you’ve been to White Sands National Park, you know how fun sledding down dunes is. You can experience the same thrill at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
You’ll need to rent boards before you arrive at the park, though.
Great Sand Dunes Oasis is the closest store to the visitor center. You’re permitted to sandboard, sled, and ski anywhere on the dune field away from vegetated areas.
- Classic 1 person plastic disc/saucer sled
- Made with high impact plastic construction
2. Splash Around in Medano Creek
Medano Creek flows around the base of the dunes. This unique body of water experiences surge flows as the underwater sand ridges build up and break.
They’re like tiny waves that crash along the shoreline. Visitors of all ages enjoy playing at this beach in landlocked Colorado. You can splash, surf, wade, skimboard, float, and build sand castles here.
3. Explore the High Dune on First Ridge
The 30-square-mile dune field is a wide-open playground. There are no designated trails on the dunes, but you’re free to explore anywhere.
The High Dune isn’t the tallest sand dune in the park, but it’s a popular destination. At 693 feet, this dune offers amazing views of the entire dune field. It takes about two hours to hike up to the peak and back.
Since this National Park and Preserve is an International Dark Sky Park, you should attend an evening ranger program if possible.
Rangers lead summer night programs and last about 30-40 minutes. Rangers will end the programs with a laser-guided constellation tour. It’s important to note these programs are only offered in the summer.
Best Places For Camping Near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Piñon Flats Campground is open from April to October and is inside the national park. Reservations must be made on Recreation.gov. There are no hookups and no showers, but generators are permitted during certain hours. Some sites can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long.
Oasis Campground is the closest to the national park. There are full hookup sites, showers, laundry facilities, and a dump station.
Zapata Falls is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and offers spectacular views of the dune field. Reservations can be made on Recreation.gov. There are no hookups or amenities here.
Is Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Worth It?
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a sight to see. Stargazers love the opportunities to see the unimpeded night sky. Kids of all ages enjoy sledding and snowboarding down the dunes.
About 602,000 people visited in 2021 and 493,000 visited in 2022. It’s not an overly crowded park but one you’ll want to visit during the summer season to experience the outdoor fun and brilliant night skies.
So the next time you’re traveling through Colorado, New Mexico, or Utah, consider taking a detour and spending a couple of days at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. What memories will you make at this Colorado natural wonder?
Last update on 2024-08-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
