5 Things You Can’t Miss On Your First Visit to Great Sand Dunes

This is page 2 of this article.  To start at the beginning, click here.

1. High Dune

Make the trek to the top of one of the most prominent dunes in the park. From up here, you’ll earn a spectacular birds-eye view of the dune field and surrounding mountains!

What You Need to Know

At 699 feet tall, High Dune is NOT the highest dune in the park…that honor goes to Star Dune (750 feet). But the hike out to High Dune is much easier to accomplish for the average hiker.

This hike is about 2.5 miles roundtrip. You can see High Dune from the parking area, and there is no established trail to the top. You get to make your own route!

Hiking in the sand is grueling, so bring plenty of water and take your time as you ascend.  Sand temperatures here can reach 150 degrees on the surface, so hike during the coolest parts of the day. 

Lightning is frequent during the summer months — check the weather before you head out for your safety!

Getting Here

From the Visitor Center, turn left and drive north on Highway 150 (the main park road) for 0.4 miles and look for the sign for the Dunes Parking/Day Use Area.  Turn left here and follow the road for 0.5 miles to the parking lot at the end of the road.  Walk down to the sand, cross the creek (if applicable), and start walking toward the highest dune you can see.

2. Medano Pass Primitive Road

Explore the sand and mountains of Great Sand Dunes on this exciting off-road adventure!  If you’re dying to access the dramatic snowy peaks behind the dunes, this is your route.

What You Need to Know

The Medano Pass Primitive Road is 22 miles of rough road that takes you to Medano Pass at 10,040 feet.  Because of the elevation (and the fact that it crosses a creek nine times!), this road is only fully open during the warmer months, typically July – October.

A high-clearance, 4WD vehicle is required.  If you don’t have your own, jeeps are available for rent in the park.  ATVs are not permitted.

If the higher areas of the road are closed, or if you don’t have a vehicle that can make the drive, you can still drive one mile into the Point of No Return.  Park here and walk along the road for beautiful views of the sand dunes.  The area near the Castle Creek Picnic Area (3 miles roundtrip from the parking area) is lovely!

Before you head out on this primitive road, check the road conditions, and read through the additional instructions to safely navigate your way through the mountains.

Getting Here

From the Visitor Center, turn left onto Highway 150 and drive north for one mile toward the Piñon Flats Campground.  Look for a large dirt parking area across the street from the campground entrance/dumpsters/amphitheater parking.  The Medano Creek Primitive Road begins at the top of this dirt parking lot.

3.  Sand Sledding

Feel the wind in your hair as you sled down the sand — no snow required!

What You Need to Know

Sand sledding or boarding is a unique way to enjoy the immensity of these dunes. You can rent a sled or board at these locations. I highly recommend renting one (and not bringing your own) because the rented ones are specifically designed for the sand. You’ll slide much faster on the special sand sleds!

When picking a dune to slide down, try to find one that has a gradual slope at the bottom so that you don’t crash land.

Getting Here

The best place to sled is on the first ridge of dunes, accessible from the main Dunes Parking Area (located 0.4 miles north of the Visitor Center).

4.  Montville Nature Trail

Take a lovely stroll through the trees on this short nature trail. You’ll enjoy the gorgeous mountain peaks and sand dune views from up here!

What You Need to Know

This trail is 0.5 miles roundtrip and gains about 200 feet of elevation.

The nature trail portion is a small loop, but if you want to keep hiking, the Mosca Pass Trail continues up into the mountains. The Wellington Ditch Trail also connects to this nature trail and travels along the mountain bench to the campground. For beautiful sand dune views, I recommend hiking along the Wellington Ditch Trail for at least a few minutes.

Getting Here

From the Visitor Center, take a left and drive north on Highway 150 for 0.2 miles until you see the Montville Nature Trail sign on your right.  Turn here to reach the parking area.

5.  Medano Creek

Who knew you could play on the beach in Colorado?! Grab your sand toys, inflatable tubes, and flip flops and get ready to spend your day in the water!

What You Need to Know

Medano Creek runs right down in front of the dunes, making it the perfect sandy beach to hang out and dip your toes in the water. Small children can even float in the waves when conditions are right.

The caveat? This is a seasonal creek, so there’s not always water. You’ll have to brave the crowds from about mid-May through June if you want the experience of playing in Medano Creek. By July, it’s usually mostly dry.  Conditions vary; read more about what to expect at the creek.

If you come during peak run-off, bring bug spray for the mosquitos that like to hang around the creek.

Getting Here

From the Visitor Center, take a left and drive north on Highway 150 for 0.4 miles until you see a sign for the main Dunes Parking Area.  Turn left here and drive 0.5 miles to the parking lot at the end of the road to reach the shores of the creek.

BONUS:  Zapata Falls

While you’re in the area, check out Zapata Falls. This beautiful waterfall is hidden in the mountains just a few minutes outside of the park along Highway 150. The access road is a rough and bumpy 3-mile dirt road, but once you get to the trailhead, the hike to the falls is only a 1-mile roundtrip. You can find more information about this trail here.

There you have it, five exciting things you can’t miss on your first visit to Great Sand Dunes National Park.  Happy trails!

Click NEXT to discover more Colorado adventures.