General Information
Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in southern Colorado, 37 miles east from Alamosa, Co. It is accessible from State Highway 150 (from the south) or from County Road 6 (from the west). Great Sand Dunes is home to the largest dunes in North America which tower to heights of nearly 800 feet.
Size: Great Sand Dunes National Park is approximately 233 square miles.
Climate: Great Sand Dunes National Park has a climate that can very drastically depending on the season.
In the fall, highs average in the mid 60s F while lows can plummet to the mid 20s F.
Winter brings about frigid temperatures with highs ranging between 10-30 degrees F and lows between -15 F and -5 F.
Spring can bring about warmer weather, but the shift in temperatures can be extreme with the average highs reaching into the 60s F or staying as low as 30 degrees F. The lows during this time of year can also vary between 40 degrees F and 20 degrees F.
As a result of these extreme temperatures, please plan accordingly as the weather could greatly impact your experience.
Cost: According to nps.gov, on August 13, 2020 the fees to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park
are as follows:
History:
Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the newest additions to Colorado’s 13 national parks and preserves.
A movement to preserve this unique landscape began in the 1930s after westward expansion led gold miners to the area where they set up a gold mill to extract precious metals from the dunes.
In 1932, the movement gained traction and President Herbert Hoover signed a bill granting the area the status of a national monument. In the 1990s a second movement occurred to expand protections granted to this unique geological area which led to the formation of Great Sand Dunes National Park.
While Great Sand Dunes National Park has only existed in its current state for about 30 years, its history spans back millennia. Artifacts that have been found in the area have led scientist to believe that the earliest evidence of humans in the region dates back nearly 11,000 years. This area was also considered to be sacred land by the indigenous peoples who inhabited the area. The first known settlers to have “discovered” the Great Sand Dunes were recorded to have arrived in 1694 as Spanish conquistadors settled in northern New Mexico and began expanding their territory.
Our Experience
Of all of the national parks that we have visited on our journey, Great Sand Dunes National Park was our favorite. The drive to the park is lackluster, which intensifies the impact of the park.
We arrived at the park around 5:00pm, which was fortunate as the sand dunes had cooled significantly and were enjoyable to walk on with the dogs. Admittedly, we were so awestruck by the sand dunes themselves that we did not venture into other areas of the park, so we cannot speak to the hiking trails that are available to visitors. That being said, the sand dunes are incredible and are large enough to offer hours of entertainment.
The largest sand dune, Star Dune, is approximately 755 Feet tall, though it is hard to get an exact measurement as the landscape often shifts.
A day spent at Great Sand Dunes National Park is more reminiscent of spending a day in the Sahara Desert than a day spent in Colorado.
Additionally, there are many activities that can be enjoyed from sledding or boarding down the dunes, hiking, or cooling off in Medano Creek.
Pros
Great Sand Dunes National Park offers dramatic views of landscapes that are totally unique to this region of the country.
The park is open 24 hours a day. This means that you can visit the park at your leisure and enjoy sunrises, sunsets, and awe-inspiring starry nights from the dunes.
The park is located near a lot of camping spots. Those who are looking for a place to boondock for a night or two only need to drive a few miles outside of the park to find a suitable place to sleep.
The dunes are equipped with several bathrooms, changing areas, and shower areas to wash sand off of your feet before continuing on your way.
There is a lot of open space, so you are not surrounded by crowds of people while you take in the sights.
There are several hiking spots close to the national park, such as Zapata Falls, so a trip to the area offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Cons
Great Sand Dunes National Park experiences extreme temperatures throughout the year. If you are not careful, these temperatures can negatively impact your visit.
The park is located in an area of Colorado that many people do not visit, as a result, a visit to Great Sand Dunes might require a lengthy detour.
Just like a visit to the beach, the sand at the national park gets EVERYWHERE.
General Score:
We rated Great Sand Dunes National Park National Park 5 out of 5 stars.
Listen, if you can only visit one park, this would be the one we would recommend. We have seen our fair share of parks at this point, but the one that we keep talking about is Great Sand Dunes. If you are able, you MUST visit this park.
Pet Rating:
We rated Great Sand Dunes National Park National Park 5 out of 5 bones on pet friendliness.
Dogs are allowed throughout the park (including anywhere on the dunes) while on a leash. This was the first park that we have been to where we did not have to compromise on what we wanted to do to accommodate the dogs. Furthermore, the dogs absolutely LOVED the dunes. They spent hours hiking up and racing down the dunes as we tried our best to keep up.
One note of caution, in direct sunlight, the sand of the dunes can get incredibly hot (about 150 degrees F). So please, if you are going to take your pup, go in the early morning or early evening.
Feel the sand with your hand before walking your dog on it. Remember, if it is too hot for you, it is too hot for them. Also, keep in mind that dogs cool off through the pads of their feet, so if your furry friend does burn the pads of their feet, you will need to treat it immediately and keep them in cool, shaded places while they heel.
Lastly, you could always invest in booties for your dog. They are sold at almost every pet supply store. If your dog is like mine and refuses to where booties, you could always slip baby sock over their feet. The elastic in the lining of the socks helps to hold them on and makes it harder for dogs to pull them off.
