Colorado Est. 2004

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Desert Mountains

107,342 Acres

438,000/year Annual Visitors

$25 Entry Fee

Late April through June, September through October Best Time to Visit

Caution: Impassible Soft Sand on Medano Road between Castle Creek and Crossing 1 +4 more Details

National Park Service National Park

Redesignated from a national monument to a national park on September 24, 2004, protecting the tallest dunes in North America in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado. The dunes reach 750 feet high and cover 30 square miles.

Fun Facts

Our Great Sand Dunes Articles

Educational Resources

11 Fascinating Facts About Great Sand Dunes National Park

13 min read

When to Visit Great Sand Dunes

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Month-by-Month Conditions

Tap any month for details

Month

High

Low

Crowds

Roads

Jan

93°

68°

Low

Open

Feb

90°

65°

Low

Open

Mar

82°

56°

Light

Open

Apr Best

72°

45°

Heavy

Open

May Best

61°

32°

Peak

Open

Jun Best

53°

23°

Peak

Open

Jul

50°

20°

Light

Open

Aug

53°

23°

Low

Open

Sep

61°

32°

Low

Open

Oct

72°

45°

Low

Open

Nov

82°

56°

Low

Open

Dec

90°

65°

Low

Open

Best months to visit Crowd level (low to peak)

Campgrounds in Great Sand Dunes

Backpacking Campsites in the Dunes or Forest

$6/night

The most popular and unique backpacking option is camping in the 30-square-mile dunefield, beyond the major dune ridgeline (about 1.5 mile hike minimum over dunes)....

27 sites Reservable

Reserve a Site

Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites

$0/night

Roadside camping is permitted at 21 campsites in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve beginning 5.2 miles from where the road begins near Piñon Flats Campground....

21 sites Reservable

Piñon Flats Campground

$20/night

Piñon Flats is a National Park Service campground located one mile north of the Visitor Center, open April through October. All sites are by reservation...

91 sites Reservable Open April through October, closed November through March.

Reserve a Site