National Park · NPS · CO
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Photo: NPS/Patrick Myers, Dunes and Crestone Peaks at Sunset
Alerts and conditions
Caution Creek Crossings on Medano Pass Primitive Road Have Deep and Swift Water
The park weather station measured 1.5 inches of rain overnight on 10/23/2026. Medano Creek is currently flowing at 28 cubic feet per second. These conditions have resulted in many of the 9 creek crossings on this 4WD only road to have swift moving water that is 3 or more feet deep on some of these crossings. Extreme caution is advised. NOTE this does not affect access to the Main Dunes Parking or Pinon Flats Campground, or Visitor Center areas of the park.
Information Great Sand Dunes Currently at Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
As of August 18th, Great Sand Dunes is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. All wood and charcoal fires must be in established fire rings in designated campsites or picnic sites. No other open fires are allowed. Fires MUST BE put out COLD before leaving your site and must not be left unattended. camp stoves and other pressurized gas devices allowed.
Caution Speed Limits are Much Lower Inside Park than Surrounding Highways
Speed limits for the park include 30 MPH near the park boundary and Great Sand Dunes Sign, and as low as 10 MPH near the Headquarters and Entrance Station. Speed limits are in place to protect park visitors, pedestrians, and wildlife in the park. Please drive carefully and responsibly.
Information Sand Board and Sand Sled Rentals Not Available In Park.
Sand boarding and sand sled rentals are located in local communities surrounding the park. Visitors are encouraged to arrange rentals BEFORE coming to the park.
Information Piñon Flats Campground, sites can be reserved 3 months in advance for 2026
Due to the need for improvements in Piñon Flats Campground, sites can be reserved 3 months in advance beginning in 2026.
Overview
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! Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year-round. There are no timed entries or reservations to visit.
From the National Park Service
History
The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.
What to see and do
Activities
- Arts and Culture
- Craft Demonstrations
- Live Music
- Auto and ATV
- Auto Off-Roading
- Astronomy
- Stargazing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
- Group Camping
- RV Camping
- Climbing
- Mountain Climbing
- Compass and GPS
- Orienteering
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Fly Fishing
- Food
- Dining
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Hands-On
- Arts and Crafts
- Volunteer Vacation
- Hiking
- Backcountry Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
- Horse Trekking
- Horse Camping (see also camping)
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting and Gathering
- Hunting
- Junior Ranger Program
- Tubing
- River Tubing
- Skiing
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Downhill Skiing
- Snow Play
- Snowshoeing
- Swimming
- Freshwater Swimming
- Water Skiing
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Plan your visit
Hours
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve: The park and preserve are open 24/7 all year
Fees and passes
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — $25.00
- Entrance - Non-commercial Groups — $15.00
- Entrance - Motorcycle — $20.00
- Commercial Entrance - Sedan — $25.00
- Commercial Entrance - Van — $40.00
- Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — $40.00
- Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $100.00
- Entrance - Per Person — $15.00
- Annual Entrance - Park — $45.00
The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.
Getting there
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.
Visitor centers
Campgrounds
- Piñon Flats Campground (91 sites) — reserve
- Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites (21 sites)
- Backpacking Campsites in the Dunes or Forest (27 sites) — reserve
Weather
Temperatures are relatively cool all year at the park elevation 8000 ft. Conditions are most often calm, but winds can arise, especially in spring and during storm fronts. Daytime temperatures feel warmer here year round due to intense high-altitude sunlight, and mid-day summer sand surface temps can be 160 degrees F! Plan to explore the dunes morning or evening during summer. Nights are cool in summer, and frigid in winter. Visit https://nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/weather.htm for details
Phone: (719) 378-6395
Whose lands these are
These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.
Photos
Pair it with
- Baca National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 12 miles
- Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 27 miles
- Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 34 miles
- Rio Grande National Forest USFS · 60 miles
- Río Grande del Norte National Monument BLM · 69 miles
- San Isabel National Forest USFS · 70 miles