On unpaved roads or trais at Great Sand Dunes, standard mountain bikes are either unsuitable because of soft sand, or not permitted because of wilderness designation. BEST OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For a list of top experiences, read our article Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. Our website uses cookies. Julie Last updated: July 4, 2022 United States 2 Comments. This is a 22-mile road that joins Great Sand Dunes National Park with highway 69. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Click here for the full listing. During the month of May, the Medano Creek floods the area between the parking lot and the dunes. High Dune is the second tallest dune in the park. Hours at the Visitor Center vary seasonally, but are generally 9-4:30 daily in winter, and 8:30-6 daily during the three summer months. Two mountain ranges, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the San Juan Mountains, sit side-by-side, creating a semicircular rim. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. You will drive a long, rugged gravel road, hike a rocky trail, and then hike within the river to get to the falls. We also have a guide to the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and how to spend one day in RMNP. Get acquainted with the park: On your way into Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, stop into the Visitor Center to learn about how the sand dunes were formed, as well as other ecological occurrences that are specific to the area. The park also hosts a number of ranger programs, mostly from late-May through September, that include night sky watching. PRO TRAVEL TIP: There are no marked hiking trails on the dunes. We visited when the weather was hotter than normal, getting up into the low-90s midday. 8. One thing you must do while at Great Sand Dunes National Park is walk on the dunes. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. The folks at Kristi Mountain Sports advised us to avoid being on the dunes from noon to 4 pm. Guide to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. How far is it to hike to the top of the first ridge of dunes? Get here early in the morning and hike to High Dune (or a smaller dune) in the morning, when temperatures are low. This is a big area and it is easy to spread out and distance yourself from other visitors. Once at the South Zapata Creek, you can either carefully walk the narrow dirt trail and step across the rocks in the creek, keeping your feet dry, or simply hike up the creek to the falls. Photo Diary: The Wave Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes at Death Valley, 9 Things to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park, Hiking Colorados Sangre de Cristos and Great Sand Dunes: A Guide to the Areas Greatest Hiking Adventures. 7. The elevation at the Visitor Center is 8170'. From High Dune, you can continue to Star Dune, the tallest dune in the United States. There are no scorpions, venomous snakes, or quicksand on the dunes or anywhere in this high elevation park. As we currently understand it, the dunes are probably thousands of years old, not millions. When the creek is dry, sand can blow across the creek bed forming escape dunes which suffocate ponderosa pine stands as they march eastward towards the mountains. During the summer, you will have to wade in the creek through a slot canyon to see the falls. This lodge sits just outside of the national park boundary. 19. Were Esther & Jacob. The rugged, 22-mile backcountry road traverses soft sand for about four miles, and crosses nine creeks; plan on two-and-a-half to three hours to make the entire drive. A national preserve is an area managed by the National Park Service where certain activities that are prohibited within a national park may be permitted. Second, the area is closed annually to motorized use from December 15 to April 15. All copyrights to photos, graphics, and text are owned by Local Adventurer and cannot be used without permission. It took us about one hour to hike from the parking lot to the top of High Dune. Take a ride on the wild side as you explore 300 acres of open sand against a backdrop of granite, offering an incredible mountain setting for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts including full-size vehicles, sand rail riders, razors, custom-built sand rails, dirt bikes, ATVs, and dune buggies. Just make your reservations far in advance (at least four weeks in the summer months). Pets may go out with you in the main day use areas of the national park, and in the national preserve, as long as they are kept on leashes at all times to protect wildlife and respect other visitors. From here, you simply walk out to Medano Creek and onto the sand dunes. This drive takes approximately 30 minutes one way. They also do tours if you dont want to do the drive on your own. Sandboarding felt a lot like snowboarding and the dunes were steep and scary at first. With just a few hours, you can walk on the dunes and go sandboarding or sledding. Share with Us. It is also a safe place for children and families to play and explore without the danger of vehicles. At Great Sand Dunes, you can hike, sandboard, sled, splash in Medano Creek, or wander anywhere in the wilderness of dunes and mountains. Surf the sand: Visitors to the park are invited to actuallysurf the sand dunes. Its also a prime spot for viewing wildlife and catching views of Park and Medicine Bow Mountain Ranges. Sunset at Great Sand Dunes | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. provides special opportunities for recreation, exploration, and education in the highly resilient dune mass and adjoining creek environments. Mechanized or motorized vehicles are not permitted on the dunefield, and ATVs are not permitted in the park and preserve. 2. They are located next to Great Sand Dunes Lodge. Star Dune rises 750 feet from its base to its crest. Hiking on sand is hard and its better to give yourself plenty of time rather than have to rush. We had a nice dinner at Calvillos Mexican Restaurant. When dry, the sand can then blow back onto the dunes in a unique recycling pattern that has played an important role in building these dunes. Hi. See some stars: Away from big cities and any light pollution, stargazing is spectacular in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, and since the park is open 24 hours a day, its easy to do. Rescuers find overdue hikers trapped in steep, rugged terrain on Colorado 14er, One dead after RV fire near Colorado city park, Fate of dentist accused of killing wife while on safari in hands of Colorado jury. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Of course, lightning can potentially strike anywhere within the park so avoid hiking when storms threaten. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites. From there, youll hang another right onto county road 6N, where youll continue for about 2 miles before reaching the dunes. We checked in with Jamie Greeman, the director of the Alamosa Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the team at Colorado.com for ideas on 10 things not to miss when visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. See our Things to Do page for many suggestions with links to details, including: hiking, backpacking, sand sledding/sandboarding, horseback riding, mountain climbing, splashing in Medano Creek, free ranger programs, driving Medano Pass with a high clearance 4WD. Sandboarding is similar to snowboarding, but it does have a different feel, since it is tougher to turn and change direction in the sand. What can we do in the park and preserve? This gets our vote for the best thing to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. Where did the sand come from? Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. To go sandboarding and sand sledding, you need to have a sandboard or sand sled that is made specifically for use on the sand. The road to Zapata Falls | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. In fact, we stayed in Alamosa when it set a record high and a record low temperature in one day (92F and 37F on July 10, 2020). With a backcountry camping permit, you can camp anywhere in the dunefield. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. The dunes are constantly changing, which gives you endless opportunities for photos! For information on wheelchair-accessible activities, visit Accessibility at Great Sand Dunes . This is a for-profit blog and contains occasional affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. These settings (including massive dunes surrounded by alpine peaks, a desert valley, creeks flowing on the surface of the sand, pristine mountains, and rural range land) offer spacious relief from urban America, exceptional solitude and quiet, and a remarkably unspoiled day and night sky, hosts a great diversity of plants and animals, including insect species found nowhere else on earth. 4. Pack it in, pack it out. If you are feeling adventurous, have a SUV or 4WD vehicle, and dont mind a short hike, this will be worth it. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Even so, it was tons of fun. Photo Credit: Liz Chavez, (Facebook). Unfortunately, you cant ride your bike in most places in the park, but you can go fat biking on the Medano Primitive Road. Pets are no longer permitted in the national park backcountry; for details visit our webpage on pets at Great Sand Dunes. Even though the creek was not flowing during our visit, the mosquitoes were vicious at sunset during the walk back to our car. Keep it Clean. Midday, make the drive to Zapata Falls and hang out by the creek (or, if you have a 4WD, drive the Medano Pass Primitive Road). Mountain bikes generally are not permitted off road in any national park. Alamosa, un plaisir pour les photographes, Alamosa, eine Freude fr Fotografen, Alamosa, un piacere per i fotografi, Restrooms with sinks, flush toilets, and a sink for dishwashing, Each site has a fire grate and picnic table, Some sites have large cottonwood or conifer trees for shade, while others are more out in the open with smaller pion trees, A few sites can fit RVs up to 35 feet in length. The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. What is the difference between a national park, national monument, and national preserve? Pet safety: Summer sand can blister paws; extreme dune heat (its much hotter closer to the surface of the sand) can cause heat exhaustion or stroke. Sign upto getaccess to our library of resources, travel photography tips, exclusive giveaways, and inspiration to be a Local Adventurer. In a straight line, it is about a mile, but it is best climbed in a zig-zag fashion, following the ridge lines. For the best experience (for you and for other visitors who want to see the night sky), hike with a red light rather than a traditional flashlight. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Its not the most scenic town but its a good home base for visiting Great Sand Dunes. Though scientists cant definitively say how old the sand dunes are at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in southcentral Colorado (about 2.5 hours from Colorado Springs and nearly four hours from Denver), a scientific paper published in 2007 suggest they formed about 440,000 years ago; newer research suggests they may be younger. Chill out at Zapata Falls: Though not inside Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Zapata Falls is a terrific stop during a visit to the area and a fun place to cool off from the hot sun. What is nationally significant about Great Sand Dunes? racist or sexually-oriented language. If you have younger kids or are not so sure sandboarding is for you, you can rent sleds. The falls parking lot, just a few miles from the park itself, provides terrific views of the dunes. Be Proactive. However, if you are short on time, hate the idea of hiking, or dont have an SUV, skip the visit to Zapata Falls. National monuments require only a presidential proclamation without a vote of Congress. 23. The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week except for federal holidays in winter. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible. To get to Star Dune, you will hike up and down a series of smaller dunes. The mosquitoes can be bad around Medano Creek. Visit our Nature and Science pages for more information. SCENIC DRIVES IN COLORADO: Pikes Peak, the Million Dollar Highway, and the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is just a short list of the scenic drives you can do in Colorado. BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON: On a visit to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, you can explore both the North Rim and the South Rim. Can I rollerblade or skateboard in the park? The visitor center can be a great resource for the current conditions of the park and they can point you in the right direction, so you can make the most of your time in the park. Your email address will not be published. When the outside temperature is 85F the temperature in the vehicle can climb to 120F in 30 minutes! The "High Dune" on the first ridge rises 699 feet from its base, but because it starts on higher ground, its crest is higher above sea level that of Star Dune. Great Sand Dunes Oasis. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve was certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. Over time, the lake receded, leaving behind sand. Quicklinks for detailed answers to common questions on: 1. Other hotels that get good reviews include the Fairfield Inn and Suites and the Hampton Inn. To see the most stars, plan your visit on a moonless night, or on a night with a late moonrise. Would you try sandboarding? Hiking to High Dune | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, On top of High Dune | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, The view from High Dune | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. Great Sand Dunes is a much different experience than many other national parks in the United States. Theres a 20-minute movie about the park, as well interactive exhibitsand an exhibit of paintings and photography inspired by the landscapes. Its a very short walk to the waterfall, just a few hundred feet. You really dont have to go far for stunning views across the dunes and out to the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountains. Tyler and Kara picked it up almost instantly. Mosca 3. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Ultimate Havasupai Packing List Backpacking to Supai AZ, RV Checklist Everything You Need Before Getting in an RV. Here are the driving distances and times from nearby destinations in Colorado: Denver: 225 miles, 4 hours Colorado Springs: 165 miles, 2.5 hours Mesa Verde National Park: 200 miles, 3.75 hours Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: 190 miles, 3.5 hours Rocky Mountain National Park: 250 miles, 4.5 hours. Cleaning up after pets is required. Hi. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas. Great Sand Dunes National Park appears in ourBest US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in May and June. North Sand Hills Recreation Area. Pro Tip: Be sure to bring something to protect your camera if it gets too windy. Photo Credit: Euphoric Adventure Photography Co. For more, please visit http://www.jasonkaplan.photography, North Sand Hills Recreation Area. Its pure fun and one of favorite memories during our three-week road trip through Colorado. For an amazing experience, you can camp in the dunes. Were currently based in Las Vegas but have also lived in NYC, Portland, San Diego, and LA. Check out a video on what it's like: 3. Jacob got the hang of it quick, while my sandboarding skills were just as good as my snowboarding skills, which meant lots of falling on my butt. In an average year, the creek starts to flow in April, with peak flow in late May, and dries up by late June. You dont have to walk far into the dunefield to find the perfect dune. Just to give you an idea of perspective, those little tiny dots are people on their way up. Do you have to have a reservation to sandboard? Once on top of the tall dunes, the hard work is done and it is a blast running back down the dunes. But if you plan to rent a sandboard from one of the local outfitters, it is a good idea to reserve your sand board a few days in advance, because they can sell out. The dunefield and most of the adjacent Sangre de Cristo Mountains are federally designated wilderness: the dunes were made a wilderness by Congress in 1976, and the Sangre de Cristos in 1993. accounts, the history behind an article. Hours: The park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days per year. 2 Days in Death Valley: Our Itinerary from Las Vegas, 14 Best Things to do in Acadia National Park, 13 Amazing Things to Do in Haleakala National Park, 12 Best National Parks to Visit with Kids, 20 Short, Fun Hikes in the National Parks, Ultimate Guide to the Colorado National Parks (+ 10 Day Itinerary), 7 to 14 Day Colorado Itinerary: National Parks & Scenic Drives, 11 Amazing Things to Do in White Sands National Park, 15 Best National Parks to Visit in May (USA). If you must walk on the dunes on a summer afternoon, be sure to take boots or tennis shoes (sandals are not adequate) . . The highest dunes in elevation above sea level in the park are those closest to the mountains on the eastern edge of the main dunefield. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. While its here, though, have fun with it: splashing, wading, skimboarding, floating (small kids are best at this as the waters quite shallow), sand castle building and sand sculpting are all popular beach activities. Return to the dunefield in the late afternoon, have a picnic dinner, and watch the sunset. They dont do rentals at the park, so you have to rent special sand boards or sleds off-site, but its so worth the stop! The elevation within the park and preserve ranges from a low of 7,520 feet (near San Luis Lakes) to a high of 13,604 feet above sea level (Tijeras Peak) - a difference of 6,084 feet! 10. It is also possible to camp at the Pion Flats Campground, which is located inside the park, near the main parking area and Medano Creek. There are also numerous shops in the area that will rent sandboards. The Great Sand Dunes are the tallest in North America and you immediately feel small when you see them. Well.. the dunes were massive and we felt like passing out mid-hike. It is a unique place to discover the intricacies of the natural world, as well as natural quiet and dark night skies where you can see countless stars with very little light pollution. It takes 45 minutes to drive to Great Sand Dunes. As the wind blows into this pocket, more sand accumulates, creating the dunes. Can we ride motorbikes or ATVs on the dunes? It was clean and quiet and the Wi-Fi worked well. You have permission to edit this article. Get a backcountry permit and camp during the full moon. Star Dune is the tallest dune (at 750 feet), but since the base of it sits at a lower elevation than High Dune, it actually looks smaller. In the summer months, this is a popular swimming spot and a good place to spend the middle of the day. During the summer, expect very high temperatures. The farther you hike up into the dunes, the more solitude you will have, with a chance to walk on pristine sand. There is a limit of 20 groups per night with a maximum of six people per group. Great Sand Dunes has the tallest dunes in North America. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Medano Creek is a shallow creek that flows in the spring and early summer months. Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. How can I find out more? Best Things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you want to hike out to Star Dune, plan on spending at least one full day here. To get to the falls, it is a 0.5-mile hike on a wide, rugged trail. A lot of the rangers explore on their own and may know hidden gems that you wont find in the pamphlets. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve contains the tallest sand dunes in North America. It will give you a totally different experience. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: If you do not have a 4WD and would like to rent one. Were Esther & Jacob. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Me, not so much. Its a slightly uphill walk to get to the falls, nothing challenging, but it is a very hot walk in the summer months. The main dunefield covers an area of 30 square miles. Before heading out for a day's ride or overnight camping, be sure to check sand conditions to be sure riding is advisable. Older kids, teenagers, and adults who are kids-at-heart will love sandboarding or sledding. Zapata Falls | Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. See the Ranger Programs page for information on free ranger programs, commercial tours, and other educational and recreational events. Hike to the Tallest Dune in North America. 12. It was expanded into a national park and preserve four times the size of the national monument by Congress in 2004, protecting the entire natural geologic and hydrologic system of the dunes, including the alpine watershed, creeks, grasslands, sand sheet, and wetlands. Individual campsites have a maximum capacity of 8 people, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles (including towed vehicles/trailers). These dunes continue to grow, albeit at an extremely slow pace. And, stop by the Visitor Center when you arrive in the park. Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center main number, Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center main number. Forested and alpine trails are mostly shaded and provide respite from the hot sun on the dunes, while hikes through the grasslands, shrublands and wetlands will put you back out into the sunshine. There are a number of trails located between the two main dunes, which offers a connection to a national forest to the north. When we did this in mid-July, the creek was dry. Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating may provide us with some clues, but so far the results at Great Sand Dunes are inconclusive. Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series. 11999 State Highway 150 7. In Alamosa, there are a bunch of chain hotels and a handful of decent restaurants. What is the annual visitation at Great Sand Dunes? Don't knowingly lie about anyone How much do the dunes change over time? The road is soft and sandy in the dunes area, then forested and rocky with stream crossings in the mountain portion. CO 2022 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. How were the dunes formed? One of the many wonderful things about Great Sand Dunes National Park is that it is so easy to visit. Take on Medano Pass Road: If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, or a fat bike, take on the Medano Pass Road; if you dont have either, its best to skip this one in fact, a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle is required. The OSL process determines how much time has passed since quartz crystals were last exposed to sunlight. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, In dry years, the creek may not even reach the main parking area. Typically, this creek starts flowing in April, peaks in May, and dries up by late June. 6. Plastic saucers and cardboard will also not slide very well on the sand. The staff was really helpful and knowledgeable, and they kept their gear in good condition. To get here, it is 3.5-mile drive on a rough, gravel road. Explore this website for answers and trip planning. Park at the small parking lot at the very end of the road. Zapata Falls is a beautiful waterfall that is tucked away in a canyon. During these months, you will cross this creek to get to the dunes. Editors Note: Before visiting, here are a few things to know first. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. 20. If you have any questions about the best things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, let us know in the comment section below. Snow sleds, skis, and snowboards will not work. Generally, it takes the average person an hour or so to reach the top of the first ridge. To drive this road, you must have 4WD vehicle with high clearance. My advice is to pick a very small, shallow dune and work your way up from here. Current conditions: Visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve website for current conditions. A national monument is generally smaller than a national park and is intended to preserve a single nationally significant resource, such as a dunefield or rock formation. All off-highway vehicles (OHVs) operated on public lands or trails throughout the state must be registered. The dunes have been identified as having special importance by people of various cultures, and the area is recognized for the culturally diverse nature of human use. And to watch the sunset several times was amazing. Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. Floating on the creek in rafts is an extremely popular thing to do during this time. The most unique and fun thing to do at Great Sand Dunes is sandboarding. In 2021, 600,000 people visited the park. The water washed sediment and sand into this basin. Call the Visitor Center at (719) 378-6395 for answers to your specific questions, or email a ranger. Be Nice. Once at the dunes, you can pick your path up the dunes. Sign upto getaccess to our library of resources, travel photography tips, exclusive giveaways, and inspiration to be a Local Adventurer. They also offer sandboard rentals. Its not the same experience as sleeping in the dunes, but you will be in the park. Required fields are marked *. 14. They have both sandboards and sand sleds available for rent, and they are rented on a daily basis. We were able to walk right in and rent four sandboards, but the staff recommended calling at least several days in advance to make a reservation. At the widest point, the main dunefield runs six miles and at the greatest length, eight miles. This road crosses the Medano Creek nine times before topping out at the Medano Pass at mile 11, at an elevation of 10,000 feet. For many people, this is just enough time.
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