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National Park & Preserve

Great Sand Dunes

Grasslands, large dunes, and snow-capped peaks at sunset
The view at the park entrance contrasts giant dunes and snow-capped mountains. NPS/Patrick Myers

Overview

Open 24/7 year round! There are no timed entries or reservations to visit. 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 countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park!

State: CO719-378-6395

Hours

  • Sunday: All Day
  • Monday: All Day
  • Tuesday: All Day
  • Wednesday: All Day
  • Thursday: All Day
  • Friday: All Day
  • Saturday: All Day

Fees & Passes

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle:  25.00

    Fees are charged only when the entrance station is open in the spring, summer, and fall seasons or when the visitor center is open in the winter season. Fees can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. Passes may also be purchased in advance online through recreation.gov .


  • Entrance - Non-commercial Groups:  15.00

    15+ passenger vehicle, age 16+


  • Entrance - Motorcycle:  20.00

    Motorcycle and riders Valid up to 7 days


  • Commercial Entrance - Sedan:  25.00

    This fee is for a commercial group of 1-6 people in a smaller vehicle. Valid for 7 days.


  • Commercial Entrance - Van:  40.00

    This fee is for a commercial group of 7-15 persons in a van. Valid for 7 days.


  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus:  40.00

    This fee is for a commercial group of 16-25 persons in a mini-bus. Valid for 7 days.


  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach:  100.00

    This fee is for a commercial motor coach with 26+ capacity. Valid for 7 days.


  • Entrance - Per Person:  15.00

    Entrance Fee for Bicycles or Walk-In Visitors


Map

Things To Do

Category

6 Results
    Girl with backpack standing on dunes at sunset

    Explore the Dunes

    Free

    Description

    Explore the tallest dunes in North America! The centerpiece of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is the 30-square-mile (78-square-km) dunefield, featuring the tallest dunes in North America. Because there are no trails, you can venture out anywhere you'd like to discover unusual insects, plants, wildlife tracks, ripples, and sand grains of every color.

    More info
    Pet FriendlyAges:3-99
    Two girls speed down a dune on a specially designed sand sled.

    Sandboarding and Sand Sledding

    $

    Description

    Sandboarding and sand sledding are the most popular activities on the dunes. Read the information on this page to have a positive, fun, and safe experience.

    More info

    Fees

    Sand sled and sandboard rentals average about $20 per sled per day. These are rented at retailers outside the national park. Each retailer has different prices, policies, and logistics for sled rentals.

    Pet FriendlyAges:2-75Time:2-8 Hours
    Visitors splashing, floating, and walking in a stream, with dunes and snow-capped mountain.

    Splash in Medano Creek

    Free

    Description

    Medano Creek is a popular seasonal stream enjoyed by all ages.

    More info
    Pet FriendlyAges:2-99Time:1-8 Hours
    Two girls hiking on a forested trail

    Hike Montville Nature Trail or Mosca Pass Trail

    Free

    Description

    Just above the dunefield are montane woodlands of pinon and ponderosa pine, subalpine aspen and conifer forests, alpine lakes and rugged mountains over 13,000 feet (4,000 m) in elevation. The easiest access to forest in the national park is on the Montville Nature Trail and Mosca Pass Trail.

    More info
    Pet FriendlyAges:4-90Time:30-240 Minutes
    The Milky Way over a shallow stream flowing across sand at night

    Experience the Night

    Free

    Description

    Half the park is after dark! Night at Great Sand Dunes can include dunes exploration under a bright full moon, viewing thousands of stars on a clear moonless night, listening for owls along the foothills, or observing migrating amphibians on a wet night.

    More info
    Pet FriendlyAges:3-99Time:30-300 Minutes
    Alpine tundra in foreground, part of the dunefield at right, and snow-capped Blanca Peak

    Hike Medano Lake and Mount Herard

    Free

    Description

    Take your 4WD vehicle around the dunes and up to Medano Pass, hike to a small alpine lake, then continue to the summit of 13,297 ft (4,053 m) Mount Herard for an aerial perspective on the entire dunefield! This is a physically demanding but incredibly rewarding way to experience many of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve's ecoystems, from desert dunes to alpine tundra. Watch the high-energy 40-second video to get a glimpse of this unique experience!

    More info
    Pet FriendlyAges:12-70Time:8-12 Hours

More Images

Grasslands, large dunes, and snow-capped peaks at sunset
Grasslands, large dunes, and snow-capped peaks at sunset
Girls Sand Sledding
Girls Sand Sledding
Elk, Grasslands, Dunes, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Elk, Grasslands, Dunes, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Lower Sand Creek Lake, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
Lower Sand Creek Lake, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
Upper Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
Upper Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
Fall Colors Along Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park
Fall Colors Along Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park
Gold cottonwood trees, large dunes, a silver cloud, and snow-capped mountain
Gold cottonwood trees, large dunes, a silver cloud, and snow-capped mountain
A teen girl sits on a floatation device
A teen girl sits on a floatation device