About Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
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.
Quick Facts
Entrance Fees
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 .
15+ passenger vehicle, age 16+
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
This fee is for a commercial group of 1-6 people in a smaller vehicle. Valid for 7 days.
This fee is for a commercial group of 7-15 persons in a van. Valid for 7 days.
This fee is for a commercial group of 16-25 persons in a mini-bus. Valid for 7 days.
This fee is for a commercial motor coach with 26+ capacity. Valid for 7 days.
Entrance Fee for Bicycles or Walk-In Visitors
Operating Hours
The park and preserve are open 24/7 all year
Activities
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Entrance Passes
If you visit Great Sand Dunes more than once in a year, consider purchasing an annual pass to save money. The Great Sand Dunes Annual Pass admits the pass holder(s) and all family members in the vehicle into the park for one year from date of purchase.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Explore the Dunes
Explore the tallest dunes in North America! The centerpiece of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is the 30-square-mile…
The centerpiece of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is the 30-square-mile (78-square-km) dunefield, containing the tallest dunes in…
Sandboarding and Sand Sledding
Sandboarding and sand sledding are the most popular activities on the dunes. Read the information on this page to have…
Sand sledding or sandboarding can be fun with the right gear and conditions. Below are tips for an enjoyable and…
Splash in Medano Creek
Medano Creek is a popular seasonal stream enjoyed by all ages.
Depending on water level, visitors may do any non-motorized and non-mechanized activities in the creek, including splashing, wading, skimboarding, floating…
Hike Montville Nature Trail or Mosca Pass Trail
Just above the dunefield are montane woodlands of pinon and ponderosa pine, subalpine aspen and conifer forests, alpine lakes and…
Along with connecting to the diverse human history of this passageway in the mountains, enjoy wildflowers in summer, colorful trees…
Experience the Night
Half the park is after dark! Night at Great Sand Dunes can include dunes exploration under a bright full moon,…
Plan your visit on a clear moonless night, or after the moon sets, to see the most stars. To enjoy…
Hike Medano Lake and Mount Herard
Take your 4WD vehicle around the dunes and up to Medano Pass, hike to a small alpine lake, then continue…
Take your 4WD vehicle around the dunes and up to Medano Lake Trailhead, about 1/2 mile west of Medano Pass.…
Visitor Centers
Entrance Station
Purchase park passes at the Entrance Station, located on the main entrance road. Entrance Station hours are variable depending on the season and day, but…
Hours: The Entrance Station is most days in the busy season from May through September, and intermittent hours at other times of year. Hours may vary each day. Call the Fee Manager at 719-378-6352 for hours on the day you plan to visit.
Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center
The visitor center offers restrooms, a water fill station, interactive exhibits, and a 20-minute video about the park. Park rangers are available to answer questions…
Hours: Current visitor center hours are 9-4:30 daily throughout the year. Open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Campgrounds
Backpacking Campsites in the Dunes or Forest
The most popular and unique backpacking option is camping in the 30-square-mile dunefield, beyond the major dune ridgeline (about 1.5 mile hike minimum over dunes).…
Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites
Roadside camping is permitted at 21 campsites in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve beginning 5.2 miles from where the road begins near Piñon Flats Campground.…
Piñon Flats Campground
Piñon Flats is a National Park Service campground located one mile north of the Visitor Center, open April through October. All sites are by reservation…
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