Marble Mountain is a gentle tundra hike to the north from Music Pass, but the other peaks require significant route-finding with potentially dangerous exposure to steep cliffs. Clearly a popular spot to hang out like a beach and sled - the farther you go, the less people. There are no trails in the dunes because they are constantly changing. If you have time, one can hike star dune(5 Hour roundtrip) - the tallest dune in America. Parking is tough. The Great Sand Dunes cover an area of 30 square miles and are located just West of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Please call the Visitor Center at 719-378-6399 for current hunting seasons and travel tips. We love the sand dunes, don't get me wrong. This hike description takes you only 2.5 miles up the trail but makes for a great day hike. Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in San Luis Valley, a region in south-central Colorado in the United States. You can not get the true appreciation of how unforgiving sand is unless you've tried to hike it while getting sandblasted by the wind. Nestled in Southern Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve features North America's tallest dunes, which rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This is best done in spring, early summer, or fall. Check the conditions first, and make sure you are familiar with your surroundings. The lengths of the paths shown here (as well as those indicated above) are all round trips. This fragile and complex ecosystem, which receives roughly 300,000 visitors annually, is an outdoor playground unlike any other. APPIP ERROR: amazonproducts[ TooManyRequests|The request was denied due to request throttling. This is High Dune and hiking to the top of High Dune is one of the most popular things to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Before heading out, confirm whether or not you need a car with 4WD to access the trailhead. The park is home to 13,000-foot mountains, lush forest trails, the flowing Medano Creek, and of course, a 30-mile dunefield that contains 1.2 cubic miles of sand. Great Sand Dunes National Park is an unique natural wonder. Read our visitor's guide for camping information, tips for getting the most out of exploring the sand dunes and Medano Creek, plus hiking recommendations. Hiking at Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado. One of the beautiful natural landmarks of Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes are open 24/7 to visitors for sand sledding, hiking and so much more! Consult the official Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve website for information on fees and camping reservations. Colorado, the land of color, has so much beauty and adventure! This is the one of the only few best hikes near Great Sand Dunes National Park with a trailhead east of the park, Additionally, getting there requires a 4WD, high-clearance vehicle, plus solid hiking and navigating experience, and a full day to hike. Watch surge flow in action as Medano Creek recycles sand from E and N sides of dunefield . Check the conditions first, and make sure you are familiar with your surroundings. Impressions of Great Sand Dunes National Park. Hiking in Great Sand Dunes National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, US. You want to hike in the dunes early in the morning, around sunrise. Allow yourself two hours for the up and back hike. 1. Great Sand Dunes National Park Campgrounds There is the easily accessible Piñon Flats Campground for those looking to car camp or park their RV, camping for those with a well-equipped 4WD vehicle along Medano Pass Primitive Road, and hike-in backcountry sites in the dunes as well as the surrounding mountains. The Definitive Great Sand Dunes Guide for National Park Enthusiasts By Josh Hewitt on September 30, 2021 • ( 10 Comments ) Planning a road trip across the United States to visit some of the country's beautiful national parks is a time honored tradition for many Americans, and something that draws visitors from around the world to the . Best Hikes in Great Sand Dunes National Park. From the Sand Dune parking area, you'll easily spot what looks like the tallest dune along that first ridge of sand dunes. 8. From Denver or Colorado Springs, the fastest route is south on I-25 to Walsenburg, west on US 160, and then north on state highway 150. Twitter Facebook. And let me be the first to tell you, THIS IS A WINTER DESTINATION! The ranger told us the sand gets as up to 160-degrees Fahrenheit! The Dunes Overlook Trail is a 4.3 out and back trail that winds through some of the gorgeous wildflower fields of the park. The 11-mile Sand Ramp Trail skirts the transition zone between dunes and foothills. 7. This is High Dune and hiking to the top of High Dune is one of the most popular things to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Sunset Hike at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Also close to Alamosa is the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, and the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. Great Sand Dunes has trails to please every level of hiker. This hike is not within Great Sand Dunes National Park, but in the preserve. From the Sand Dune parking area, you'll easily spot what looks like the tallest dune along that first ridge of sand dunes. Hiking the Great Sand Dunes. Pick up the trail at the north end of the parking lot and cross 150. While the sand dunes cover a massive sea of sand that extends for 330 square miles and features pretty much nothing but dry sand, next to the dunes sits the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range, home of various ecosystems from montane forest to subalpine . 6. One of the beautiful natural landmarks of Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes are open 24/7 to visitors for sand sledding, hiking and so much more! Still, the pictures of this otherworldly landscape were just too beautiful not to share. Colorado is home to a seemingly endless amount of backpacking and hiking trails. Written by Linda Ly. . While each area of the state boasts vastly different and diverse landscapes, none are as unique as Great Sand Dunes National Park. The enormous sandbox that dominates the landscape between Saguache and Alamosa invites intrepid adventurers from all over the globe to come and explore. Outside of hiking the sand dunes and Zapata Falls, there are a handful of other great hikes offered in and around the area. When Medano Creek is running in May and June, it even feels like you're on a trip at the beach. June 19, 2019. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is always open with no reservation needed to visit. In a Nutshell. The best hikes in Great Sand Dunes National Park are below, though there are only about 50 miles of trails in the entire park. Tip: If you're hiking on the sand dunes at night, buy some glow sticks and leave them at the edge of the dune field by the trail to the car. It sits at 699 feet and takes roughly 2 hours round trip to hike. In the spring and early summer, when the water is running, it's about the best beach these mountain folks can imagine, but that sand gets HOT! ).Plan a few hours (the park service suggests up to 4) to hike to the High Dune and it is 2.5 miles round trip. While in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. The dunes are super-sized. Location: 37.7438316345215, -105.521667480469. Best Kid Friendly Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve 756 Reviews Explore the most popular kid friendly trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Consult the official Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve website for information on fees and camping reservations. You can leave camp to explore the Dunes, the wildlife and the plant life on forested trails, alpine trails, wetlands, shrublands, and grasslands. Morning on the Sand Dunes, Drive to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa, free time at spa; overnight at Ojo Caliente. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Parking is limited, so arrive early in the morning to guarantee a space-or visit on a weekday. I spent two months living there and working on a conservation corp to maintain the trails. Great Sand Dunes Hiking Trails. Description. Day 5. High Dune Hike to the highest sand dune (699') on the first ridge of sand dunes you can see from the main parking lot. Within Great Sand Dunes National Park, there are several hiking options including the following. From Denver, it's roughly a 4-hour drive to the sand dunes national park. The Great Sand Dunes National Park resembles a large and fun playground, built by nature not only for kids, but for those of all ages. "High Dune" is on the first ridge, and contrary to how it looks, it's not the tallest in the park but still takes quite some effort to ascend! Sleep on the sand, gaze at the stars and watch the sunrise. Whether you want to pave your own way in the sand (no trails here!) There are 3 three loops: Loop 1 (44 sites) is first-come, first-served year round. About Great Sand Dunes. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve yields an other-worldly experience. $20 per night. Day 4. Hiking in the . Colorado, the land of color, has so much beauty and adventure! Hike the Highest Dune You Can! Discover a waterfall hidden in the belly of a mountain at this enchanting year-round hike near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The Sand Ramp Trail skirts the east and north sides of the dunefield for 11 miles, starting at Pinon Flats campground and ending at Sand Creek Camp, on the north side of the dunes. It was cool today so all our preparations for hot sand were unnecessary, but may have been a better experience. 9 Things to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park. While Rocky Mountain National Park or the Colorado Trail might seem like the more obvious options for backpacking, the Sand Dunes shouldn't be […] Hike We Like: Zapata Falls. Your adventure will include daily guided yoga and local hikes, evening meditation/ Yoga Nidra, unlimited hot springs visits, and plenty of down time to rest or book a massage (not included in cost). Hiking and Backpacking in the Great Sand Dunes. While you could hike the entire trail, it would take multiple days and a shuttle car at the other end. You can also hike the Mosca Pass, where you can get great views and hear the wildlife all around you. If you are looking to plan a Colorado road trip, you can combine a visit to the Great Sand Dunes with the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you are interested in Great Sand Dunes National Park Birding and Hiking tour guides, join us at Kaiyote Tours!. from short walks to mountain hikes. Great Sand Dunes National Park: Do yourself a favor and hike before sunrise - See 954 traveler reviews, 1,185 candid photos, and great deals for Mosca, CO, at Tripadvisor. That way, you won't get turned around trying to get back in the dark. Check-out time is 1pm. If you have the time and energy, Star Dune is . Head south on I-25 to Walsenburg, then west on US 160 and north on CO 150. Great Sand Dunes National Park - Camping. Hike to Zapata Falls. These dunes are popular with hikers and sandboarders alike. Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO. Getting There The park is about 150 miles southwest of Denver. 8. I estimate it is a 6-7mi round trip hike to Star Dune, the tallest in the park. Author's Note: The 3.5-mile drive to the trailhead is very rocky and bumpy. Please verify the number of requests made per second to the Amazon Product Advertising API. ] SDL002. . Categories The Hiking Life Blog Tags Backpacking, Blanca Peak, Four Sorta Long Walks, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Hiking, Salida, Sangre de Cristo Range. Star Dune - Hike the tallest dune in North America (750 ft). Complete hiking information for Great Sand Dunes NP, Colorado with maps, photos, trail descriptions, guides and outfitters, and more Enjoy Zapata Falls(20 feet high wall cascade waterfall) by taking a hike from the Zapata Falls recreational area that is located nearby from the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The Pinyon Flats Campground is located one mile north of the Visitor Center. I decided to embark on a quick hike. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is one of my favorite places in Colorado. The Dunes Overlook trail is a moderately strenuous hike that opens up to one of the coolest overlooks in Great Sand Dunes park. Whether climbing the dunes, sandboarding or sand sledding down them, splashing in Medano Creek, taking a backcountry camping trip, or simply photographing the dunes, the park offers a great variety of activities. Description. These 4 dynamic national parks in Colorado offer diverse hiking trails and experiences: Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Many are over 750 feet tall! Getting to Great Sand Dunes . (Sometimes, having 4WD grants you access to a closer trailhead that cuts mileage off the hike.) 7m. You can hike the Star Dune here, which is the tallest dune in North America! The wind was calm also so it was a great day to hike the dunes. In the park you can hike, camp, swim, and even sled or sandboard down the dunes. Hike to Mosca Pass; overnight at Great Sand Dunes Lodge. Join us for this special 3 day weekend to explore the Great Sand Dunes, and the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Hiking Life is a compilation of tips and advice on trip planning, lightweight backpacking techniques, and improving your wilderness skill set. SDL003. Colorado national parks send you on hikes up gigantic sand dunes, ladders to Ancient Puebloan dwellings, trails to invigorating wate Best Hikes and Trails . No dogs allowed for backpacking trips. No list of things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park would be complete without an early hike to see the sunrise in the San Luis Valley. 8 I wish I could say I had hiked more of the Great Sand Dunes, but the threat of a late afternoon summer monsoon — common in Southern Colorado that time of year — loomed above us and forced us to retreat. For the first time in my adult life, I visited one of the national parks of the United States, and I won't be the same again. Hike through junipers to dunefield; enter Medano Creek's "perched aquifer" area, lifeblood of the dunes. In addition to the hiking trails below, visitors have their choice of sand-boarding or sand-sledding down the large dunes. If you want more hikes in and around Great Sand Dunes, check out this book. Spring and fall have cooler weather in the dunes but Medano Creek has peak flow in April-July. Hiking in sand is hard work. 1. They are allowed in the day use area and across the way at Mosca Pass, but not for backpacking trips into Great Sand Dunes National Park. The sand blows off the dunes like snow once the wind picks up. "The Essential Guide to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve", available in the Visitor Center store, has detailed climbing information for the peaks. 1. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in southern Colorado. There is another small parking lot located up the road from the visitor center where you can also park and start your hike. To reach the trailhead from the national park, drive . Longer Hikes in the National Park and National Preserve. 5) Medano Pass Primitive Road. Snow may block alpine trails from November to June. The Sand Ramp Trail is the main hiking trail in the park and it heads north then west skirting the edge of the Dunes. Music Pass starts right at the treeline and offers great, extensive views of the Upper Sand Creek Basin throughout. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve has the tallest dunes in North America, formed by sand deposits of the Rio Grande. The Great Sand Dunes National Park gets its attention overridden because of all the the other majestic National Parks out there. Hiking and Backpacking in the Great Sand Dunes. Access Star Dune from either High Dune or at its base from the Medano Creek bed. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is located in southern Colorado near the town of Alamosa. Text Text1. From the unique shallow wave surges of the Medano Creek, to the heights of the tallest sand dunes in North America, the fun floating, sliding, hiking, and exploring opportunities are countless. It's about 8 miles south of Great Sand Dunes National Park and 29 miles from Alamosa, Colorado. Commemorate your trip or add a notch to your hiking stick for an upcoming trip with the Great Sand Dunes Travelers Hiking Medallion. Commemorate your trip or add a notch to your hiking stick for an upcoming trip with the Great Sand Dunes Travelers Hiking Medallion. Aside from hosting the tallest sand dunes in North America, the Great Sand Dunes provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, sandboarding, photography, and night sky viewing. The cool mountain water is a surprising oasis in this arid, cold-desert climate. Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park with kids is a must-do vacation! For a truly unique experience, camp in the sand dunes! Great Sand Dunes National Park offers a variety of activities and ways to explore the park. There are many events from May through September including the Summer Concert Series and Junior Ranger Day programs. Description. Home to the tallest dunes in North America, the national park protects over 30.0 mi and contains over 5 billion cubic meters of sand. Great Sand Dunes is open 24/7, so stay after dark and watch in awe as the stars come out. By Emma Athena December 27, 2018. Our family had a great time! Hiking There are no trails in the dunes proper, but you can wander without restriction. Most trails allow overnight backpacking. Be sure to pack lots of water and snacks, and wear hats, suglasses, and layers. Posted by Jeff on Oct 21, 2016 @ 6:38 pm in Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Hiking, Hiking Blog, Photo Essays, Rated Easy Hikes, Vista Hikes | 0 comments | Last modified: December 25, 2017 .