Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Footprints in the sand through Great Sand Dunes National Monument, Colorado
Footprints in the sand, Great Sand Dunes National Monument, Colorado (J.C. Leacock/courtesy, Colorado Tourism Office)
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Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Parks and Outdoors Travel Tips

By Kim Lipker

  • The dunes make for a dramatic setting on the plains of south-central Colorado, right at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo range. From the top you can see mountains on one side, while on the other, the dunes seem to stretch forever.
  • Car camping in the backcountry along the Medano Pass Primitive Road within the park is permitted as long as existing camping spots are used. In most cases, this road is soft sand with rocky parts and stream crossings. A traditional car will not navigate these spots, so a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle is required.
  • Backpacking is available in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Designated backcountry sites in the park are located along the Sand Ramp Trail, the area between the sand dune fields and the mountains. Free backcountry permits are required for all overnight backpacking trips.

Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve Overview

The enormous sandbox at the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve makes you feel, very simply, like a kid again. People of all ages run up these 700-foot-high dunes just to roll down, laughing while their shorts fill up with sand. Read More

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Join the discussion with Away.com's in-house experts in our travel Q&A.

2 Questions | 2 Answers
  • why is the great sand dunes national park a national park?
    Read 1 answer or Answer this question
  • We are coming from Canon City to the Great Sand Dunes for 1 night and then heading to the Denver airport - where is the best place to stay for that night? (Is Alamosa too far out of the way?)We would like to be able to be at the Dunes Mon late afternoon and Tue morning. How long is the drive (time) to Denver and is there anything along the way that we should see. Thank you
    Read 1 answer or Answer this question

Hotels

Sand Ramp Trail Backcountry Sites

Great Sand Dunes National Park
Mosca, CO 81146

Distance: 3.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0

Pinyon Flats Campground

Great Sand Dunes National Park
Mosca, CO 81146 Map

Distance: 3.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0

Medano Pass Primitive Road

Great Sand Dunes National Park
Mosca, CO 81146 Map

Distance: 18.5 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
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Attractions

Dunes Overlook/Sand Ramp Trail

expert favorite attraction
From north, take 17 off 285; from south, follow 150 off 160


Distance: 2.9 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Hike two-mile Sand Ramp Trail to the foothills of Sangre de Cristos. Survey the panorama of sandy... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Music Pass Trail

Trailhead accessible from State Hwy. 69, 4.5 miles south of Westcliffe
Salida, Colorado

Distance: 12.4 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Music Pass is an easy hiker- and horse-friendly trail that ends at tree-tall peaks overlooking... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
5_0

Montville Nature Trail

35 miles northeast of Alamosa, Colorado
Mosca, Colorado

Distance: 2.9 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Montville Nature Trail is a hiker-only path that begins northeast of the visitor center. The shaded... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
All Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Distance (mi.)
Colorado Springs Municipal Airport 86.6 map
Denver International Airport 151.8 map
Albuquerque International Airport 195.8 map

Other Smaller Airports near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Distance (mi.)
Alamosa Municipal Airport 27.9 map
Pueblo Memorial Airport 68.3 map
Durango La Plata Airport 127.4 map

Flight Deals to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Originating From
Phoenix (PHX) to Colorado Springs (COS) $165
Ontario (ONT) to Colorado Springs (COS) $233
Baltimore (BWI) to Colorado Springs (COS) $242
Chicago (CHI) to Colorado Springs (COS) $381

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