America’s Most Underrated National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is tucked against the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is a surreal geologic wonderland. Spanning over 30 square miles, this massive, wind-sculpted dunefield features the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising up to 750 feet from the high-desert valley floor.

Unlike many highly regulated national parks, Great Sand Dunes is an outdoor enthusiast’s ultimate open-ended playground. With no designated trails carved into the sand, you are entirely free to chart your own path, climb to the crest of Star Dune, and explore a breathtaking landscape where a vast desert sandscape meets pristine alpine wilderness.

From the rushing waters of spring to the silent, star-filled nights of winter, the park offers a diverse array of bucket-list activities:

• Sandboarding & Sledding: Rent a specially designed sandboard or sled from a local outfitter in Alamosa and experience the unparalleled thrill of carving down steep, golden waves of sand.
• Splash in Medano Creek: Every spring and early summer, melting mountain snow creates a wide, seasonal river at the base of the dunes. It acts as a natural beach right in the mountains, perfect for wading, skimboarding, and building sandcastles.
• International Dark Sky Stargazing: Certified as an International Dark Sky Park, the high elevation and lack of light pollution here provide some of the clearest views of the cosmos on Earth. On a moonless night, step out onto the sand to witness the vibrant Milky Way stretching directly over the silhouettes of the peaks.
• Diverse Mountain Wilderness: Beyond the dunes, the National Preserve contains six mountain peaks towering over 13,000 feet, ancient spruce forests, hidden waterfalls (like Zapata Falls just outside the boundary), and beautiful alpine tundra.

The park and the surrounding San Luis Valley serve as a vital ecological sanctuary. Keep your eyes peeled for unique local wildlife, including elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and a massive, protected bison herd. If you visit during the spring or fall, you might catch the prehistoric call of thousands of Sandhill Cranes migrating across the valley skies.

There is no timed entry or reservation required to enter the park, just show up, grab a board, and start exploring!

Address: 1199 Hwy 150, Mosca, CO, 81146

Phone Number: 719-378-6395

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