Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
National park · CO, USA
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in CO, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Usual hours
- Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00
About
This park's official page lists: Wheelchair-accessible facilities, Pet-friendly (leashed).
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
This park's official page lists: Restrooms, Visitor center.
At the park
- Visitor center
- Camping
- Hunting
- Sandboarding
- Winter sports
- Beaches
- Caves & caverns
- Stargazing
- Wildlife & bird watching
- Hiking trails
Shows and experiences
- Historic sites & museum
Events
- Junior Ranger Program
- AM Visitor Center Ranger Talk
- PM Visitor Center Ranger Talk
- 8:00 pm Amphitheater Evening Program
- Hispanic Culture of San Luis Valley
- 7:30 pm Amphitheater Evening Program
Before you go
- Disability access
- This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.
- Limits
- Pets are no longer permitted in the national park backcountry;
- Limits
- You may take a street-licensed, high-clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road , which goes around the eastern edge of the dunes then over a 10,000' mountain pass
- ⚠ 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.
- ⚠ Caution: Creek Crossings 3, 4, and 5 Have Deep Water on the Medano Pass Primitive Rd
- Update 10-16-2026: The third, fourth, and fifth creek crossings on the 4WD Only Medano Pass Primitive Road have deep water crossings. Motorists are advised to use caution and exercise sound judgement to the capabilities of their vehicle. NOTE: Access remains unaffected for all other paved road destinations such as the visitor center, dunes parking lot, and campground.
- Park alert: 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.
- Park alert: 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.
- Park alert: 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.
- 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.
- Weather & when to go
- 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
- Visitor center
- The Dunefield
Facilities on the park map
1 bench, 2 changing table, 4 picnic area, 5 restroom, 1 visitor information.