GREAT SAND DUNES SUMMER GUIDE

a full guide to visiting the national park in the warmer months specifically!

if you plan to visit the great sand dunes national park in colorado, this guide is for you! especially if you plan to go in the summer…. there are a few MUST KNOW facts before going! let’s break it allllll down…

LOCATION

great sand dunes is near alamosa, colorado, about a 3.5 hour drive from Denver.

GOOGLE MAPS LINK: https://maps.app.goo.gl/25iyNxwPEYC1H2by7

GETTING INTO THE PARK

one of the biggest perks of this park is that it’s open 24/7/365 and there are NEVER timed entry reservations. basically, you can get into this park whenever you want, unlike other colorado national parks that often require you to purchase a timed entry reservation weeks ahead of time. you will have to purchase a park pass for $25 per vehicle, but it’s good for an entire week!

TRAILS

there aren’t necessarily marked trails at this park, which is honestly pretty neat. i mean, how could you have trails in sand anyway? but it’s fun to have a “choose your own adventure” experience here! that said, there’s a few specific points you can try to aim to hit.

ALL TRAILS LINK TO TOP HIKES: alltrails.pxf.io/kOJ36N

MEDANO CREEK

this creek only flows for a few months out of the year! it doesn’t exist always - only when the snow in the mountains is melting and cause water to flow through the base of the park. in the summertime, aim to visit in late may or early june to catch the heaviest flow of the creek! it may still trickle into july in some years. the national park website does post updates on the creek at this link here. be sure to check it for daily updates on the creek. conditions can change quickly and also the creek flow is different every year based on snowfall!

HIGH DUNE

this is visibly the highest dune in the park. while it’s not technically the highest, it appears that way, so of course a lot of people like to visit it! it’s estimated to take about 2.5 hours roundtrip to get up to the dune and back down.

ALLTRAILS MAP: alltrails.pxf.io/K0yLM9

GPS coordinates for high dune:
37.74908, -105.532775

STAR DUNE

this is the ACTUAL highest dune in the park AND in north america!!! it’’s estimated to take about 6 hours to hike the 7 miles roundtrip to visit this dune. it is in a remote area of the park!

ALLTRAILS MAP: alltrails.pxf.io/APRVv7

GPS coordinates for star dune:
37.775916, -105.531912

MUST KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

this is NOT a place you should just visit willy nilly. you need to be prepared!!! the sun is extremely strong here to begin with because the lowest point of the park is at 7,500 feet and it only goes up from there. higher elevation = more UV. here are some things to consider before going that could quite literally save your life…

1. be sure to bring sunscreen and LOTS of it. you know the rules on the can that say when to reapply it? follow those if you don’t want skin cancer lol.

2. there is NOWHERE to hide here. if you get hot or start burning in the sun, there is truly not a place to go for shelter. the dunes are totally exposed and there aren’t any trees or shade in sight, so keep that in mind.

3. bring PLENTY of water. more than you think.

4. wear shoes! it can be tempting to go barefoot because it seems fun and easier, but you’ve made it this far in the post and have probably realized that being barefoot means you’d burn your feet! the sand heats up QUICK once the sun rises over the mountains. if you don’t have protection, the bottoms of your feet will be grilled meat by the end of your hike.

5. don’t forget about protecting your pets! if your feet are hot, so are theirs. if you’re thirsty, so are they. plenty of pets have burnt their pads on the sand, so if you’re wearing shoes, make sure you feel the heat on the sand regularly to ensure it’s not too hot for your pups! to be safe, think about purchasing dog booties for them!

6. wander safely. if you go up and over and around the dunes, it can get disorienting very quickly. make sure you have a way of getting yourself back to the parking lot safely! bring a compass, download a map on your phone in case you don’t have reception, etc.

7. check the weather before you go! the summer months in colorado are notorious for random thunderstorms. it’s common to have some pass through rain and storms a lot of days. these typically only last a couple of hours at most, but you need to be ready for them.

   1. check the weather and plan your day around it.

   2. DO NOT go if there is thunder or lightning predicted (remember, NO SHELTER)

   3. pack the appropriate layers. if you’re out early in the morning it’ll be chilly and you’ll need something to keep you warm, but as soon as the sun comes up it gets hot hot hot, so you’ll want to shed those layers and have something cooler to wear!

   4. it’s very likely that the forecast might look clear, but a storm could still pass through. when you’re out there, be aware of clouds coming your way, listen for thunder, and watch for lightning. if you see lightning or hear thunder, head back to the parking lot IMMEDIATELY.

BONUS FUN!

here are some fun extra activities you can enjoy if you plan ahead!

SAND BOARDING AND SLEDDING

you can rent boards from oasis which is a few miles before the park entrance. note that the boards go quickly, so arrive early to guarantee one. the park does NOT rent boards, only outside businesses.

STARGAZE

the park is a international dark sky area which means that it’s free of light pollution and is an incredible place to view the sky at night. try to plan your trip so that you can be in the park after dark and experience the night sky at it’s finest! remember to be careful and don’t wander too far into the dunes and get lost in the dark.

ENJOY THE CREEK

pack a picnic and your swimsuit and enjoy hanging out by the creek! it’s a great way to continue to enjoy the park after hiking around in the dunes. grab a drink, a snack, and go cool off in the creek.

CAMPING

there are plenty of tent and rv camping sites in the park which makes for a really fun weekend trip! the spots do seem to go well in advance, so plan ahead. you can look at and reserve sites here!

if you have any additional questions about the sand dunes or want advice for planning your trip, comment below! i’d be happy to help. have fun and be safe!!!