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Fun and Unique Things to Do at Great Sand Dunes National Park

February 5, 2021

Deep in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado, the dried-up remains of an ancient lake feed a surreal landscape of ever-shifting sand known today as Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Formed over an uncertain period, perhaps millions of years ago, these soft and sturdy peaks are the highest dunes in North America and edge against the craggy peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east.

Visitors looking for a unique experience won’t be disappointed. There are several amazing things to do at Great Sand Dunes, along with some fun and unique roadside attractions that make the long haul here to this south Colorado National Park more than worth it.

What to bring to Great Sand Dunes:

1. Sand Goggles (Swim Goggles Will Work)

   You’ll thank us for this one. Wind gusts can get pretty intense at the dunes. Wearing goggles will protect sand particles from stinging (and potentially damaging) your eyes.

2. Camera or Smartphone for Taking Pictures

   If you want to try out photographing the Milky Way, I recommend using a DSLR or Mirrorless camera with a wide-angle lens and a tripod. At the very least, I recommend bringing a phone tripod, which will help steady your shots and allow for a longer exposure.

   If you’re more of a photo nerd or aspiring photographer, you can read more about night sky photography and our experience renting and using the Canon EOSA Ra astrophotography camera in Stargazing at Great Sand Dunes National Park.

3. Plastic Bags

   We all know how annoying it is when sand invades every crevice of our bodies. Sadly, electronics are not as forgiving. Cameras, smartphones, binoculars, or anything with moving parts will be damaged if exposed to sand. The easiest way to protect against this is to keep your phone or camera safely stowed in a plastic bag until you’re ready to use it. And don’t think your backpack is enough. Sand can seep in through even tightly woven fabrics. Pockets? Forget it.

4. Water

   Surface temperatures of the sand can skyrocket to 150 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months, and slogging up these granular hills is no easy workout. Expect heart-pumping, thirst-inducing conditions any time you hike here.

5. Dress in Layers

   Layers are useful for exploring all of Colorado, but it’s especially so when traveling to Great Sand Dunes. While temperatures are hot in the summer, they fall off quite dramatically once the sun goes down. Consider a wind-breaking jacket that’s easy to compress into a pack and won’t further weigh you down.

Colorado Sand Dunes Sledding

One of the most popular things to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park is to go sand sledding or sandboarding. This is truly is one of the more unique things to do in Colorado, and if you’re up for it, it’s a lot of fun.

Can you bring your regular snowboards, skis, or sleds? The National Park Service advises against this. Rental companies coat the sand boards with a special wax, which helps you slide on the sand. There are several places to rent sand sleds and sandboards near Great Sand Dunes, with the most convenient being a locally-operated general store located on CO-150 just outside the entrance to the park.

Local’s tip: Sand sledding at the dunes is not an easy task, especially if you have small children. It’s a deceptively lengthy trek from the parking lot to the dune field, and the wooden boards you’ll rent to make this fun happen are not exactly lightweight.

Medano Creek

Every April and May, melting snow from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains creates a several-inch-deep channel of water along the base of the dune field called Medano Creek. The creek is a popular draw for visitors to Great Sand Dunes, with many digging in the sand or floating on the rush water using tubes and skimboards.

Late May and early June weekends are the most crowded at the park, so if you’re able to visit over the weekday, you may avoid packed parking lots and long lines of traffic.

By late June and early July, the creek will begin to dry up, and it will no longer reach the public parking lot area. For those looking for an off-road 4WD experience in the summer months, visitors can drive the rough 22-mile Medano Pass Primitive Road out to the Castle Creek Picnic Area, a bighorn sheep habitat, roadside campsites along Medano Road, backcountry campsites further out, and Medano Pass.

Best Hikes in Great Sand Dunes National Park

Hiking at Great Sand Dunes is a breath-sucking trek that’s easy to underestimate until you’re right inside this high-altitude location. The elevation inside the park varies greatly. 7,250 feet is the approximate lowest elevation point, climbing to a high of around 13,604 feet above sea level.

Unless you’re well-adjusted to high-altitude hiking, prepare for a slow-going ascent. The slog through the sinking grains fills your shoes instantly. Every step feels like it’s weighed down, with someone pulling on your feet from underneath.

There are endless ways to climb the dunes. For those wanting a designated trail to follow, this is where it gets tricky. None of them are marked. But unlike wooded mountain trails, there’s pretty much zero chance of getting lost as there are no trees or other obstructions to block your view. And if you’re hiking at night, the lights from the parking lot will help keep you oriented.

Best Great Sand Dunes Trail Options:

High Dune Trail - 3.0 miles Out and Back | 629 feet Elevation Gain | Highest elevation: 8,727 feet

Dunes Trail from Piñon Flats Campground - 4.5 miles Loop | 954 feet Elevation Gain | Highest elevation: 8,727 feet
A great option if you’re already camping at Piñon Flats.

High and Star Dune Loop - 8 miles Loop | 1,309 feet Elevation Gain | Highest elevation: 8,727 feet

Montview Nature Trail - 0.5 miles Loop | 88 feet Elevation Gain | Highest elevation: 8,345 feet

Great Sand Dunes Night Sky Photography and Stargazing

If you’re trying to decide how long you need to experience Great Sand Dunes National Park, try to create a schedule that allows for even a brief amount of stargazing. We hiked the dunes at night in June of 2020 with Canon’s EOS Ra astrophotography camera to photograph The Milky Way, and it was an experience we’ll never forget.

Designated as an International Dark Sky Park, there’s little light pollution to obstruct your view. Keep your eyes peeled for meteors and UFOs too. Whether you’re a believer or not, the area is a hotspot for reported activity, and a visit to the UFO Watchtower down the road is an absolute must.

Local’s Tip: If you’re thinking of hiking the dunes at sunset and it’s cloudy, don’t let that deter you from a stargazing attempt. Often it’s very windy at the dunes, and if you’re patient, the wind will soon blow the clouds away to reveal an awe-inspiring display of stars.

Wildlife at Great Sand Dunes

Mule deer are among the most seen mammals at Great Sand Dunes, but many other animals live within the park and preserve. Elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats, Albert’s squirrels, badgers, black bears, and mountain lions are among the others. Check out a detailed list of wildlife at the dunes on the NPS website.

Local’s Tip: Look for mule deer and elk in the meadows beside the campground and public parking areas around dawn or dusk. Have your camera ready but don’t feel rushed. There should be plenty of opportunities for you to get a decent picture if you’re patient and keep an appropriate distance.

witness the Singing Sands

Ever heard sand sing? We hadn’t either. This strange humming sound occurs when air is forced through an avalanche of sand, either caused during storms or when a mass of sand slides down a dune face. You can listen here to get a preview of the experience. Inspired by the strange sounds, 1940s singer Bing Crosby released a musical hit titled The Singing Sands of Alamosa.

Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park

One of the best times to experience Great Sand Dunes National Park is Late May when visitors can soak in the cooling flow of Medano Creek. Sand temperatures can still climb to a stinging 150 degrees during the peak of the day, so it’s best to plan your dune trekking for earlier in the morning or late in the afternoon.

If I were planning a trip for a first-timer in May, I’d suggest ascending the dunes early, starting by 8 or 9 am, and then enjoying a picnic lunch and floating in the creek after hiking. Retreat to the shade or visit nearby attractions until the evening and return for stargazing.

Local’s Tip: A suggested itinerary for a one-day trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park

7:00 am: Wildlife viewing or photography along perimeter roads and fields.

9:00 am: If you want to rent a sand sled, do this when the Oasis Store opens just outside the entrance to the park.

9:30 - 11:30: Hike the dunes. Don’t worry about sticking to a particular trail. Just pick a route and go!

11:30 - 1:00: Play in Medano Creek and enjoy a picnic lunch in some nearby shade.

1:00 - 1:30: Tour the Visitor’s Center (check hours) and learn about the history of the park.

1:30 - 4:30: Visit the Colorado Gators Reptile Park in Mosca + The UFO Watchtower in Hooper (check hours for both).

5:30 - 6:30: Return to Great Sand Dunes to take photographs in the nice evening light + picnic dinner or campfire meal.

7:30 - 10:30 Stargazing at Great Sand Dunes.

Great Sand Dunes Camping

There are several options for camping in and around Great Sand Dunes National Park. We would highly recommend reserving (far in advance) a site at Piñon Flats Campground overlooking the dunes. Campsites at Piñon Flats include bear lockers, fire pits, picnic tables, and nearby restrooms (with running water!). They go fast and become fully booked on weekends.

More camping options near Great Sand Dunes:

San Luis State Wildlife Area - Located on CR 6N south of the park. A $36 SWA permit is good for a year at all SWA sites.

UFO Watchtower Camping - Several primitive campsites off CO-17 in Hooper, Colorado for $15/tent with no reservation needed.

Zapata Falls Campground - First Come, First Serve sites (23 total + 1 group site) offering views of the San Luis Valley near Zapata Falls.

Medano Pass Road Camping - 21 dispersed camping sites along a high-elevation, 4WD road beginning near Piñon Flats Campground.

Local’s Tip: All of the campsites included above would be suitable for car camping.

Dispersed Camping Near Great Sand Dunes

There are several backcountry camping options at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Your choice comes down to how far you want to hike. One of the most popular backpacking options is to trek about 1.5 miles over the dunes’ day-use area and into what’s called the dunes backcountry just past the ridgeline. There are also more ambitious routes that range into aspen and ponderosa groves overlooking the dunes. Check out the backcountry map on the NPS site (linked above) that provides a mileage and difficulty level for each trail.

You’ll need a $6/night non-refundable backcountry camping permit, which can be reserved and purchased at Recreation.gov.

Unique Airbnbs Near Great Sand Dunes

While camping is a great way to maximize your time at Great Sand Dunes, there are also a few really cool Airbnbs that are worth considering. We’ve stayed at several Unique Airbnbs in Colorado, including The Mermaid Cottage (shown above). This darling cordwood casita is located in Del Norte, approximately 50 miles west of the dunes. If you’re looking for an unusual vacation spot on a beautiful off-grid ranch, and you’re willing to make the drive, The Mermaid Cottage will not disappoint.

With that said, there are some fun options closer to the dunes that we’re excited to check out on our next trip to the area.

Great Sand Dunes in Winter

An already otherworldly destination, Great Sand Dunes National Park in the winter becomes a snow-dusted playground offering a transformative experience for anyone returning to the dunes and a lesser-seen adventure for first-time guests. Sledding, snowboarding, and skiing (on actual snow versus sand) is a popular draw, as is snowshoeing on the park’s many trails. After you’ve had your cold fix, warm up at one of several hot springs nearby.

If you have a 4WD vehicle, you can venture out on Medano Pass Road to the Castle Creek Picnic area for wildlife watching and photography, plus more snowshoeing options. Sandhill cranes return to the dunes in late February, which is another popular wildlife attraction.

Though Piñon Flats Campground is closed in the winter months, backcountry options are available year-round, and there are several car camping options at paid locations outside the park. You can also search BLM and other free camping options at Freecampsites.net.

Unique Things to Do Near Great Sand Dunes National Park

As unique as Great Sand Dunes National Park is on its own, a few key roadside attractions located outside the park will complete your experience. You’ll need some time to get to each, but you can still fit in one or two of these sites during a one-day visit, especially if you’re not planning to spend a ton of time hiking. For us, The UFO Watchtower is a must-see thing to do when visiting the dunes. Be sure to check their hours in advance.

How Far is Great Sand Dunes National Park from Denver?

At close to a four hours drive time each way, Great Sand Dunes National Park is quite the long haul journey from Denver. And while it’s not a good contender for a Denver Day Trip, it’s doable in two days and makes an even better three-day trip or longer. You’ll pass through Colorado Springs on the way, which has numerous incredible sites to explore. Pikes Peak Highway is an Epic Colorado Scenic Drive well worth the nail-biting journey to the top. If you love hard-cord hikes, check out the Manitou Incline Trail, which offers a heart-pumping climb up 2,744 timber steps to the top of a mountain. And if you’re in the mood for some vintage gaming, check out the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade for a throwback-era assortment of old arcade games you won’t find anywhere else.

is great sand dunes worth it?

We hope we’ve already answered this question for you, but if there’s still a lingering doubt, YES, it most certainly is worth it. Admittedly, if you’re on a shorter, first-time trip to Colorado, it might be too much to fit in. But if you have the time, it’s absolutely a must-see place that will inspire future road trips to come! ❤️

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Image Credits:

Great Sand Dunes at sunset - Elaine Skylar Neal / Travels and Curiosities; Great Sand Dunes sledding - Elaine Skylar Neal / Travels and Curiosities; Medano Creek - Galyna Andrushko - stock.adobe.com; Great Sand Dunes hiking - mtnmichelle - stock.adobe.com; Great Sand Dunes night sky photography - Elaine Skylar Neal / Travels and Curiosities; wildlife at Great Sand Dunes - Elaine Skylar Neal / Travels and Curiosities; Sand Singing at Great Sand Dunes - Elaine Skylar Neal / Travels and Curiosities; Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes - Elaine Skylar Neal / Travels and Curiosities; Great Sand Dunes camping - ssmalomuzh - stock.adobe.com; Great Sand Dunes dispersed camping - kellyvandellen - stock.adobe.com; The Mermaid Cottage - Elaine Skylar Neal / Travels and Curiosities; Lucky Little Dog + Mothership Dome + Delightful Dome photos courtesy of Airbnb; winter at Great Sand Dunes - Tom - stock.adobe.com; UFO Watchtower - Elaine Skylar Neal / Travels and Curiosities; Colorado Gators Reptile Park - Elaine Skylar Neal / Travels and Curiosities; Zapata Falls - Uwalthie Pic Project - stock.adobe.com; Great Sand Dunes from Denver - Elaine Skylar Neal / Travels and Curiosities; Trail Ridge Road - Elaine Skylar Neal / Travels and Curiosities