Great Sand Dunes National Park

From Coloradohikingtrails

Great Sand Dunes National Park
Explore the tallest dunes in North America! There are no trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park, so hike as long or as short as you desire. Explore Medano Creek, or climb to the top of the High Dune and Star Dune. Whatever you choose to do, visiting the park is an experience you won't likely forget.

Fast Facts
Distance(Miles):	Varies (no defined trails)
Trail Surface & Condition:	Sand
Other Trail Users:	Dogs (must be on leash)
Ownership:	National Parks
Best Seasons:	Year around weather permitting
Type:	Out-and-Back or Loop
Beginning Elev (Feet):	8,055
Dunes Parking Lot GPS Coordinates:	Latitude: 37.7394 Longitude: -105.5175

Maps & Trailhead Directions

Dunes Parking Lot
Near To: Blanca and Fort Garland, Colorado

Driving Directions To Trailhead Great Sand Dunes National Park is located 35 miles northeast of Alamosa, Colorado, reached by U.S. 160 and Colorado 150 from the south, or from Colorado 17 and County Lane 6 from the west.

From Denver, Colorado Springs, or Pueblo, the fastest route is south on I-25 to Walsenburg, and west on US 160. Continue on US 160 though Fort Garland and Blanca. About 6 miles west of Blanca, turn north on state highway 150. Continue for 20 miles to Great Sand Dunes National Park. For a more scenic drive from Denver or Colorado Springs, you may also take US 285 south, then state highway 17 south, then County Lane 6 east. From the south, drive north on US 285 to Alamosa, the east on US 160 and north on state highway 150.

Restrooms and running water are available at both the Visitor Center and the Dunes Parking Lot. There are also showers at the parking lot to rinse off the sand. Picnic and camping sites are located nearby.

The park is open 24 hours a day, year-around. Summer hours at the Visitor Center are generally 9-6. In spring and fall, the Visitor Center is generally open 9-5, and in winter, the Visitor Center hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, except for federal holidays, when the building is closed. Call ahead at (719)378-6399 for specific hours on the days you plan to visit.

Since the campground is self-registration and first-come, first-served, you may self-register for a site 24 hours a day when sites are available.

Dunes Parking Lot

Elevation: 8,055'

Maps & Images Lat: 37.7394 Long: -105.5175

Street map from Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps

Satellite image from Google Maps or Microsoft Virtual Earth

Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA

Trail & Hike Description

On the eastern side of the high-mountain San Luis Valley are the Great Sand Dunes, the tallest sand dunes in North America. The dunes cover approximately 35 square miles and rise to almost 750' above the valley floor. Explore any part of the dunefield you wish; there are no designated trails in the sand.

The dunes are the product of the wind and rain eroding the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains that ring the San Luis Valley. They have collected here because the prevailing winds across the valley blow from the southwest to the northeast, and as they approach the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, they hit winds blowing from the other direction. The sand carried by the winds drops to the valley floor and is held in place by water flowing from the Sangre de Cristos. So over the course of millenia, the dunes have built up to where they are today.

If your time is limited, stop by the Visitor Center to watch the film and see the exhibits, then take a short drive to the Dunes Parking Lot and explore Medano Creek, flowing at the base of the dunes. During dry years, the creek disappears. In years of adequate snow and rainfall, the creek flows in spring and early summer. Observe the creek closely. Medano Creek exhibits a phenomenon called "surge flow." Its surges may remind you of waves at a beach. Each time a surge occurs, a mound of sand (which had temporarily dammed some of the water in the creek bed), collapses.

If you have half a day or more, spend time exploring the dunes, and watch for the interactions of sand, wind, water, and animals. Climb the "High" Dune, the prominent dune visible from the Visitor Center. Though it is neither the highest in absolute elevation, nor the tallest from top to bottom, it appears that way from the main visitor area. Elevation gain to the top is 650 feet. There are no trails to the summit; begin at the base and zigzag up the dune ridge lines. From High Dune are splendid views only motivated hikers are privileged to see. Another skyrising dune can be seen to the southwest: the spectacular Star Dune which rises 750 feet. Star dunes have three or more arms and are created by complex wind patterns. Star dunes are also very photogenic, so make sure you take your camera.

In summer months, plan to hike the dunes in morning or evening to avoid hot sand. During the heat of the day, make sure to wear shoes - the sand gets REALLY hot. Also protect your dog's paws, they can burn too.

As you plan your hike, keep in mind that walking up and down sand dunes is slow going, and distances in the sand dunes are deceiving (I have found that things are further away than they appear). It will probably take longer to hike to your destination than you might think.

When there’s water in Medano Creek at the base of the dunes, adults and kids alike love to splash in the stream, and provides a great opportunity to beat the heat of the dunes.

External Links & References

Great Sand Dunes National Park on the National Park Service web site

Great Sand Dunes National Park Topo Map on the National Park Service web site