Great Sand Dunes National Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) (2024)

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• Jack

  Old Bethpage, New York865 contributions

  Great Views!

  Me and my family were here the other day and it was perfect! The view was amazing, with the huge dunes with a mountain backdrop. You can rent sleds and sand boards at the Oasis Store and I highly recommend. It is so fun and from late May to July, the Medano Creek flows. The dunes are usually hot, but when they are normal temperature, like during April, me and my family went barefoot. Keep in mind that it is very hard hiking up the dunes. There is a visitor center with great views and a Junior Ranger program. Overall, I highly recommend. It is one of my favorite National Parks.

  Visited April 2023

  Written

  April 10, 2023

• Lauraly B

  United States23 contributions

  See Also

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  Day at the beach

  It's hard to imagine over 300 square miles and over 700 feet high dunes of sand. Add to that creeks flowing down from the mountains and you've got quite the impressive beach. To get to the dunes you have to walk through Medano Creek. The day we visited the park the creek was wide and flowing nicely. The water would come in waves as it broke through the sand and created interesting patterns as it flowed. It was easy to cross to reach the dunes. Just like a day at the beach, only better.

  Visited May 2023

  Traveled as a couple

  Written

  May 19, 2023

• Haley

  2 contributions

  Worth the drive

  This was just an awesome experience. We drove 3 hours to see it, and 4 hours back. I debated do or don’t because of the commute. I’m so glad I did. It felt like a once in a lifetime experience. We rented a sled and a board right outside the park ($20 each), paid the entrance fee ($25). The only con was the line to get in was so slow. I think we were in line about 45 mins or more, then they opened both lanes and things began moving. Once we got in it was great. The water before the dunes was so cool, and refreshing. There’s no avoiding the water, you have to walk thru it. There are also lots of rocks on the way to the dunes. So I recommend water shoes. On the dunes, you do get sand blasted often, I would bring a face shield. Also, the trip back to your car is long, bring your drinks and snacks out with you. Additionally, the dunes got painfully hot around 2pm. We were barefoot for most of the day. Thankfully we had water shoes, which were needed at that point. We didn’t hike beyond the dunes, but I hear the waterfall is dope. I imagine the view at the top would be cool. It was hard enough to breathe at the bottom. Also, they have real restrooms (plumbing) but didn’t have hand soap dispensers, so if you’re a germ freak like me, BYOS. 🧼 I know most of this probably doesn’t sound great, but it was a fun experience lol. Swear.

  Visited June 2023

  Traveled with family

  Written

  June 23, 2023

• louisaharp

  Louisville, Kentucky13 contributions

  Epic sand wind and views

  Don’t let the drive in discourage you, this park is amazing! Hard to describe the epic sand and winds. We went in the evening to watch the sunset and explore and stayed to watch the stars come out in this certified international dark sky park. Went back the next day to rent sand boards and sleds. Bring socks when the sun is out because the sand gets very hot on your feet. One of our favorite parks and a must see.

  Visited July 2023

  Traveled with family

  Written

  July 15, 2023

• rcordero

  San Antonio, Texas62 contributions

  Great views and photos, but physically hard!

  This was on the bucket list for our family trip. I'm glad we went. The views of the dunes against the mountains are gorgeous - largest sand dunes in the US. However, walking on sand is difficult! We rented sleds from the store right outside the park. The heat is also a factor. Take plenty of water. It is a long walk from the parking lot to the actual dunes. Once you ride down the dune, walking up the hill to do it again is hard! We had three teens with us and we lasted two hours total.

  Visited July 2023

  Traveled with family

  Written

  July 29, 2023

• Kimberly W

  Evergreen, Colorado6 contributions

  Sand Dunes

  The sand dunes were amazing, sure they were hard to hike, but they were fun to play in a were just a stunning sight. One thing that was our mistake it taking cardboard. To future travelers, just rent their sand boards. Nothing else works. Overall the sand dunes is must see attraction.

  Visited August 2023

  Traveled with family

  Written

  August 3, 2023

• Mike F

  Antigo, Wisconsin354 contributions

  Amazing!

  Amazing! Arrived to the Oasis campground around dinner time, set up camp, quick dinner and drove to the main dunes parking lot for the sunset. Our boys ran around in the massive flat area, amazing sunset! Got up early and made the big hike, once you get to high dune, the tallest peak(star) is pretty easy to get to. Saw people who had camped in the dunes which was pretty cool, also met some people who had rented sleds and they let my boys take a trip down(thank you guys!) and trekked back by about 9:30. Oasis doesn't open for renting until 8 so that was too late for us, but went there for breakfast after the big hike and it was perfect! This place is so cool, my wife says its her favorite NP. We loved our trip!

  Visited August 2023

  Traveled with family

  Written

  August 18, 2023

• Nashville_brent_65

  Franklin, Tennessee308 contributions

  It all depends on what you’re expecting

  It’s crazy to see; huge sand dunes in Colorado?!I wouldn’t make a trip just to see this but we stopped by on our way to Durango.We went in October so the sand was a perfect temperature. It would be too hot to fool with in the summer.Be ready to walk and breathe heavy.It’s almost a mile from the parking lot to the base of the dunes walking on sand.Walking up the dunes is not easy because the sand shifts so much.However, I made it up to the highest dune you see from the parking lot.

  Visited October 2023

  Traveled with friends

  Written

  October 26, 2023

• bluegrassmom3

  Owensboro, Kentucky458 contributions

  A must see park

  This was a unique national park. Be sure and rent a slide thing before you arrive. Our glamping site had them to rent. It is a strenuous walk from the parking lot to the dunes themselves then you must walk up them. We did not go all the way up but were able to slide down a few times. We had a ball!

  Visited September 2023

  Traveled with family

  Written

  October 29, 2023

• See Also

  The least-visited national parks in the United States | CNN

  MooseMom57

  50 contributions

  A Unique Park Experience

  Who knew that there were sand dunes in CO? We certainly didn't, but thoroughly enjoyed our time wandering around. It can be a bit of a workout - the 30 year olds in our group climbed up pretty far while those of us pushing 70 were not quite as adventurous. Definitely worth the visit, even if it is off the beaten path.

  Visited September 2023

  Traveled with friends

  Written

  October 31, 2023