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![]() | Great Sand Dunes Guide 2018 |
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Visitor Guide
Great Sand Dunes
National Park
and Preserve
Great dunes, great mountains...
and great experiences!
Welcome!
Great Sand Dunes National
Park and Preserve protects
the tallest dunes in North
America… and a whole lot
more. The park and
preserve contain ecosystems
ranging from wetlands to
forest to tundra—each
supporting specially adapted
plant, animal and insect life.
Make the most of your visit
by experiencing this
diversity!
Snowy Dunes, March
Medano Creek, May
View from Mosca Canyon along the Mosca Creek Trail, October
2-3
Exploring
Main Use
Area
4-5
Exploring
Backcountry
Trip planning
suggestions and
nearby attractions
A map of trails and
destinations, plus
tips for safe travel
6-7
General
Info
Amenities within
the park and
local area such as
lodging, camping,
rentals, events and
programs, entrance
fees
Safety Tips: Protect Yourself and Your Park
Hot Sand In summer months during mid-day, sand temperatures can reach 150 degrees F. Hike during the morning or evening to avoid heat exhaustion and/or burned
feet. Wear closed-toe shoes.
Lightning Lightning can occur anytime during the warmer months (especially July – August), when afternoon storms approach the dunes. Avoid fatal lightning strikes
by experiencing the dunes and other open areas during morning hours. Remain in a building or vehicle until 30 minutes after the last thunder. If you are in immediate danger,
crouch in a low-lying area on top of a pack to prevent a ground charge.
High Winds Winds are possible any time of the year. Especially during the spring season, storm fronts can produce high winds which cause sand to blow. Hike during these conditions
at your own risk. If hiking during windy conditions, consider wearing eye protection, long sleeves and pants to avoid getting sand-blasted. If sand gets in your eyes, flush with water or
saline solution. Check at the visitor center or on the park website for weather forecasts and conditions.
High Elevation Elevations within the park and preserve range from 8,200 feet to 13,604 feet (2,499m - 4,146m). Visitors new to this elevation should stay hydrated, wear sun
protection, and hike slowly. Visitors hiking in the higher-elevation backcountry should pack layers to avoid hypothermia. If you experience shortness of breath, headaches and nausea:
rest, hydrate and slowly descend from your elevation.
Wildlife Protect yourself and Great Sand Dunes wildlife by never feeding animals. Store food and scented items in your vehicle or bear-proof containers located in Piñon Flats
Campground and Medano Pass Primitive Road. Bear hangs or bear containers are required when camping in the national park backcountry. Adhere to park speed
limits to avoid injuring or killing animals and damaging your vehicle. Information sheets about camping and hiking in bear and mountain lion country are
available at the visitor center.
Emergency Calls Dial 911 for emergencies or contact the visitor center for assistance. Cell service is not consistently reliable within the boundaries of
Great Sand Dunes NPP.
First Aid Items and Medicines Bandages, sun protection, pain reliever, allergy medicine, eye drops and sanitary items can be purchased in the visitor
center year round. These items are also available at the store in the campground, and the Oasis store outside park boundaries, during the main spring
through fall operating season. Contact a ranger at the visitor center for phone numbers of local pharmacies and clinics.
Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) To protect wildlife, emergency operations, and visitor privacy, it is illegal to launch or land an unmanned aircraft within
the boundaries of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve or other national park units.
Marijuana Recreational marijuana is legal in the state of Colorado, but the consumption and possession of marijuana is ILLEGAL on federal lands,
including national parks in Colorado. Individuals will be cited and fined for illegal activity within Great Sand Dunes.
Keep wildlife wild. Use
campsite bear-proof
boxes.
Exploring: Main Use Area
Area Shown
from Dunes Parking
High Dune on First Ridge
• In summer, hike early morning or
o
evening to avoid 150 F (66oC) sand or
lightning
• View of entire dunefield
• Round trip hike: 2.5 miles (4 km) - no trails
• Elevation gain: 699 feet (214 m)
• Average Time: 2 hours
• Hike on tops of ridges for fastest travel
• Best photography opportunities are at
sunrise and sunset when shadows form
Medano Creek (seasonal)
• The depth of the creek, and length of time
the creek sustains its depth, is dependent
on precipitation and snow melt. This will
vary each year.
• In an average year, the creek flows April
through June at the Dunes Parking Area
• Peak flow with surge waves typically occurs
from late May to early June
• The creek is adjacent to the Dunes
Parking Area, easily accessible for all. Splash,
play and wade in this unique natural beach
environment!
2 Visitor Guide
from Montville/
Mosca Pass Trailhead
from Piñon Flats
Campground, Loop 2
Dunes Overlook
• View of first ridge of dunes
• Round trip hike: 2.3 miles (3.7 km)
• Elevation gain: 450 feet (137 m)
• Average time: 2 hours
from Point of No Return
Montville Nature Trail
• Forest, Mosca Creek, and view of
first ridge of dunes
• Pick up a trail guide at the visitor
center during business hours
• Round trip hike: 0.5 mile (1 km)
• Elevation gain: 200 feet (61 m)
• Average time: 30 minutes
Mosca Pass Trail
• Forest, Mosca Creek, meadows,
views of forested ridges
• Round trip hike: 7 miles (11 km)
• Elevation gain: 1400 feet (427 m)
• Average time: 3.5 hours
Wellington Ditch Trail
• From Montville Loop
Trail, continue 1 mile
(1.6 km) on a sunny,
level foothills trail to
Piñon Flats Campground.
from Visitor Center
Sand Sheet Loop Trail
• Short grasslands trail
• Round Trip: 0.25 miles
(0.2 km)
• Elevation: 50 feet (15 m)
• Average time: 30 minutes
Sand Pit
Picnic Area
• Gentle slopes
above Medano
Creek
• Round trip hike
to picnic area:
1.5 miles (2.4 km)
• Elevation gain: 400 feet (121 m)
• Average round trip time: 1 hour
• Vault toilet
• Access picnic area directly with
high-clearance 4WD
Castle Creek
Picnic Area
• 400 foot
(121m)
dune face
rises from
creek
• Hike trail
to Sand
Pit, then walk along Medano Creek to
Castle Creek Picnic Area
• Round trip:
3 miles (4.8 km)
• Elevation gain: 400 feet (121 m)
• Average round trip time: 1.5 hours
• Vault toilet
• Access picnic area directly with
high-clearance 4WD
Plan Your Visit: Main Use Area
2 hours
•
•
•
•
•
•
If you have more time:
Visit the visitor center for the park film,
exhibits, weather forecasts, park store,
and helpful rangers
Explore the dunefield from the main
Dunes Parking Area to hike, splash in
Medano Creek (seasonal), or sand sled/
sandboard. See Page 6 for rental
information.
Drive your 4WD vehicle along the
Medano Pass Primitive Road to Sand Pit
or Castle Creek picnic areas for a picnic
Walk your dog (on leash) along Medano
Creek from the Dunes Parking Area,
Sand Pit Picnic Area, Point of No Return,
or Castle Creek picnic area.
Hike the Montville Nature Trail (page 2)
Hike the Sand Sheet Loop Trail (page 2)
3-5 hours, you can also...
•
•
•
Hike to the top of the first ridge of dunes
(see “High Dune on First Ridge,” page 2)
Visit Zapata Falls Recreation Area for a
refreshing waterfall and spectacular view of
the dunefield (see below)
Hike upstream along Medano Creek toward
the mountains
•
•
•
•
Mosca Creek provides a shady retreat in afternoon hours
when sand temperatures soar to 150 degrees F.
•
•
•
Attend an afternoon ranger program at the
visitor center during summer weekends
Attend an evening program at the
Amphitheater on summer weekends
Hike the dunes after dark to experience
dark skies and natural sounds
Hike Mosca Pass to view wildflowers and
listen to songbirds (page 2)
Hike Star Dune, the tallest dune in North
America
Explore the backcountry (pages 5-6) on foot
or with 4WD
Around sunrise or sunset, view elk,
pronghorn, or mule deer in grasslands from
pullouts along entrance road
Plan at least 5 hours round trip to hike Star Dune, the
tallest dune in North America at 755 feet (230m)
Enjoy an Evening Program at the Amphitheater
Elk in Grasslands, October
Nearby Public Lands
Area Wetlands
San Luis Lakes State
Wildlife Area
Main lake open year
round; wetlands closed
Feb. 15 to July 15 for
nesting. Located on
Lane 6N. 719-378-2020.
Blanca Wetlands
Located 14 miles SE of
Mosca; from Highway
17, take County Road
2S east 7 miles. Closed for nesting Feb.15 to July 15.
National Wildlife Refuges Alamosa and Monte Vista NWR open year
round, 719-589-4021. Baca NWR Visitor Center is open to the public;
call 719-256-5527 for hours.
Zapata Falls Recreation Area
Rio Grande National Forest
South Zapata Lake
South Zapata Lake
From Zapata Falls Recreation Area, hike 10 miles
(16km) round trip to an alpine lake below
Ellingwood Peak (14,042 feet/4,280m).
Blanca Peak is the fourth highest peak in Colorado at 14,345 feet
(4,372m). 16 mile round trip hike to its summit from trailhead; shorter hike
with high-clearance 4WD on very rough Lake Como Road.
This 20 foot (7m) high waterfall cascades
within a narrow crevasse, and the area
includes spectacular views of the entire
dunefield. Drive 8 miles south to the large
Zapata Falls Recreation Area sign, then drive
3 miles up the bumpy gravel road. Hike 1/2
mile (800m) to the creek. You must hike
through water into the cave to view the falls. Watch for
falling rocks. Water is cold, and may be swift and deep in early summer.
Campground, picnic tables, and mountain biking trails are also available.
BLM, 719–852–5941.
Visitor Guide 3
Backcountry
Area Shown
Directions to Backcountry Trailheads and Parking Areas
•
Point of No Return: 1 mile (1.6km) on Medano Pass Primitive Road, beyond Piñon Flats Campground. This parking area
provides access to national park backcountry sites along the Sand Ramp Trail.
•
Sand Ramp Trail Access: 5 miles (8km) on Medano Pass Primitive Road, beyond Pinon Flats Campground. This small parking area is
accessible by high-clearance 4WD vehicles only, providing access to national park backcountry sites along the Sand Ramp Trail.
•
Medano Lake Trailhead: Follow sign after driving 10.5 miles (17km) along Medano Pass Primitive Road, beyond Piñon Flats
Campground. This trailhead is accessible by high-clearance 4WD vehicles only, providing access to Medano Lake.
•
Music Pass Trailhead: This trailhead is accessible via Pass Creek Road, CR 572, located 2 miles (3km) west of La Veta Pass on US 160.
The turnoff is 39 miles from the visitor center or 28 miles west of I25. Drive 11 miles on CR 572 (unpaved) until the road turns into
CR 570. Take a right on CR 550 (paved road) and drive 5 miles (8km) to CO 69. Turn left and drive another 28 miles (45 km) until you
see the “Music Pass” sign. Continue to follow the signs on several gravel or dirt roads. 2WD or AWD vehicles should park and hike from
the USFS Grape Creek Campground. 4WD vehicles can continue for an additional 2.5 miles (4km) to the trailhead. This trailhead provides
access to Music Pass, Sand Creek Lakes, and Little Sand Creek Lakes, as well as other areas in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.
•
Liberty Gate Trailhead (this access is via public roads in a residential subdivision; please respect private property)
From Crestone, drive 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south on Camino Baca Grande, turn right on Camino Real and drive 0.5 mile (0.8 km). Take a left
on Wagon Wheel Road until it ends. Take a left on Camino del Rey until it ends. Take a right on Camino Baca Grande, drive 1.5 miles
(2.4 km) on a dirt road. This trailhead and parking area provides access to grasslands, Rio Grande National Forest, as well as distant access
to Sand Creek and the north side of the dunefield (14 mile/23km round trip hike from the trailhead).
Map of route to Music Pass
Trailhead via Pass Creek Pass
Courtesy Google Maps
4 Visitor Guide
Trip Planning: Backcountry
Backcountry Regulations and Safety Tips
Backcountry Regulations
• Backcountry permits are NOT required for campsites along the Medano Pass Primitive Road or within Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, unless you park
within the national park, or your trip includes some days in the national park.
• A free backcountry permit is required for camping in one of seven designated national park backcountry sites, and camping in the Great Sand Dunes
Wilderness.
• Permits must be obtained by a ranger at the visitor center, between 30 minutes after opening and 30 minutes before closing. Call or check website for visitor
center operating hours.
• Permits are first-come, first-served for groups of no more than 6 people in the national park, and 15 in the national preserve.
• Pets are not permitted in the national park backcountry, but are permitted in the national preserve. Pick up a pet map at the visitor center for details.
• Campfires are only permitted in designated fire rings along the Medano Pass Primitive Road, and at Sand Creek backcountry site, but not in any other
backcountry location.
• All vehicles being registered with the permit must obtain a free parking pass with their permit, since a limited number of parking areas within Great Sand
Dunes allow for overnight parking.
• Distances to the seven national park backcountry sites will vary depending on available overnight parking options.
Backcountry Safety Tips
• Check the weather forecast before your trip and plan accordingly. Plan for unexpected weather if you are traveling in higher elevations within the Great
Sand Dunes National Preserve. Weather forecasts are available on the park website or at the park visitor center during operating hours.
• Don’t consume water from creeks or streams unless it is filtered.
• Leave your travel plans with friends and/or relatives and follow up with them when you return.
• Wear bright colors during hunting season in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.
National Park
Backcountry
Medano Pass
Primitive Road
from Music Pass Trailhead
Tent in dunes backcountry
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
4WD is required to drive across sand, rocky
terrain and creek crossings after Point of No
Return parking area.
One-way distance to Medano Pass from
Horse Trailer Parking Lot: 11 miles (17km) or
1.5 hours.
One-way distance to Hwy. 69 (beyond
Medano Pass) from Horse Trailer Parking
Lot: 22 miles (34 km) or 2.5 to 3 hours.
Vehicles must be highway-legal in Colorado.
Camping is permitted in 21 sites along the
road in the Great Sand Dunes National
Preserve.
During summer days when the sand is soft,
4WD vehicles may have to reduce tire
pressure to drive over sand. A free tire
pressure station is available at the
Amphitheater.
The road closes when creek crossings are
high, when snow and ice are present, or
when damage to the road may cause
damage to vehicles. Check the park website
for road closures and road conditions.
A Medano Pass Primitive Road Guide is
available on the park website or at the
visitor center during operating hours.
4WD campsites along Medano Pass Primitive Road are
shaded, and each site has a bear locker and fire ring. Tents
must be located within 40 feet of the front of the bear box
at each site. Gather dead and down firewood 4” or less
diameter. Put campfires out completely with water.
•
•
Backpacking options include camping in
the dunes backcountry, or primitive sites
along the foothills (indicated on map at
left).
The most popular and unique option is
camping in the dunefield, with wide-open
views of the night sky. Minimum hike: 1.5
miles (2.4 km) over the first dune ridge to
get beyond day use area. Check weather
forecast to avoid nights with high winds or
thunderstorms.
Seven foothills sites are also available along
the Sand Ramp Trail, from 0.5 miles 0.8
km) to 11 miles (18 km).
from
Medano Lake Traihead
Medano Lake
• This hike makes for a good day hike or
overnight trip to forested areas and a small
alpine lake, home to native Rio Grande
cutthroat trout (catch and release only).
• Trailhead accessible by 4WD vehicles via the
Medano Pass Primitive Road
• Round trip hike: 7.4 miles (12.4 km)
• Elevation gain: 2000 feet (610 m)
• Continue on 1.5 steep miles to the summit
of Mount Herard (13,297 feet) for a
spectacular view of the entire dunefield.
Lower Sand Creek Lake
Upper Sand Creek Lake
Upper and Lower Sand Creek Lakes
• This hike makes for a good day hike or
overnight trip to large alpine lakes below
some of the highest peaks in Great Sand
Dunes National Preserve
• Snowfields may be present into the summer
months
• Fishing
• Round Trip Hike: 8 miles (13 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2000 feet (610 m)
Little Sand Creek Lakes
• This strenuous hike takes you to more
remote and smaller alpine lakes. There are
parts of the hike where you will use route
finding skills.
• Round trip hike: 14 miles (23 km) to the
lower lake
• Net elevation gain: 2000 feet (610 m) to
lower lake, but significant up and down
on trail makes elevation gain much higher
Visitor Guide 5
Please also visit our website
General Information
www.nps.gov/grsa
Piñon (Pinyon) Flats Campground
Weather Information
Great Sand Dunes experiences four seasons.
No matter what season you are visiting, visitors
should plan according to daytime and nighttime highs and lows, possible precipitation and
wind speeds. Check the weather on the park
website or at the visitor center during
operating hours. Temperatures are relatively
cool all year due to high elevations, but dry,
thin air makes daytime temperatures feel warmer year round.
Daytime highs in the 80s during summer will create 150 degree
sand temperatures. Wear close-toed shoes to avoid the heat.
Season
Winter
Spring
Summer
Highs (F)
20s - 30s
50s - 70s
70s - 80s
Lows (F)
-20 - 10
20s - 40s
40s
Fall
50s - 70s
20s - 40s
Visitors will be charged only one of the following fees. Fees are
charged only when the entrance station is open; the visitor center
doesn’t collect fees. Fees can be paid by check, credit card, or cash.
7-Day Pass
Oversized Vehicle, 15+ passengers, age 16+
Motorcycle and Riders
$20
$10/person
$15
Annual Pass
Great Sand Dunes Annual Pass
$40
Interagency Annual Pass (for all federal fee areas)
$80
Interagency Senior Annual Pass (62 and older, US citizen)
$20
Active Duty Military Annual Pass
Free
!
Lifetime Pass
Interagency Senior Lifetime Pass (62 and older, US citizen)
$80
Interagency Access Pass (permanently disabled)
Free
Accessibility
Adult and child sand wheelchairs are available
upon reservation at 719-378-6395 or in person
at the Visitor Center. These special chairs can
be used at the Dunes Parking Lot which has an
accessible mat to the creek as well a
viewing platform. Accessible restrooms are
available at the Visitor Center, campground,
and Dunes parking lot. Sites # 10, #14, and #63
in the campground are accessible.
Pets
Leashed pets are allowed in day use areas of the
national park (including the play area of the
dunefield and campground) and in the national
preserve, but not in backcountry areas of the
national park. Protect your pet from 150o sand
temperatures by avoiding the dunes mid-day
during summer. Take plenty of water for your pet.
It is unlawful to leave your pet unattended for any amount of time
in your vehicle or in public spaces. Clean up after your pet to
ensure the national park and preserve is a welcoming place to visit.
6 Visitor Guide
•
•
•
Entrance Fees
Non-Commercial Vehicle and Occupants
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The campground is open April
1 to November 1
Reservations can be made by
visiting www.recreation.gov.
Individual sites are $20/night
for a maximum of 8 people
and 2 vehicles. Group site
prices range from $65-$80.
Visitors with senior pass or
access pass pay $10/night.
Check out time is 1 pm. Quiet
hours are from 10 pm to 6 am.
Generators may run sparingly
between 7 am and 8 pm.
Campsites can be reserved
from 6 months up to 4 days in
advance of your arrival day.
Sites that aren’t reserved will
be made available as first-come, first-served.
Sites in Loops 1 and 2 are suited for tents or RVs.
Three group sites in Loop 3 can be reserved 12 months in
advance. Group sites are for tents only.
There is a fill station and a dump station, but no hookups for
RVs.
Flush toilets and sinks are available in each loop.
All camping equipment must fit within established tent pad and
campsite to minimize ground disturbance and impacts to
vegetation and wildlife habitat.
A camp store is located between Loop 1 and 2 for the sale of
firewood and other amenities. Firewood collection is strictly
prohibited.
Nearby Camping and Lodging
Great Sand Dunes Oasis (near park entrance)
• Tent camping and RV sites with hook-ups, camp store, gas
station, sand sled and sandboard rentals, restaurant (open May
- September), and duplex motel are open April - October.
719-378-2222 or visit www.greatdunes.com
Great Sand Dunes Lodge (near park entrance)
• Modern motel with indoor pool, open mid-March through
October. Located up the hill above the Oasis Store.
Su Própia Seguridad
719-378-2900 or visitPara
www.gsdlodge.com
Zapata Falls Campground (11 miles south of park entrance)
• Primitive BLM campground; no water or hookups; compost
toilets. Bumpy gravel access road. Open year round, but access
road is not plowed in winter. No reservations. $11 per night.
719-852-5941 (BLM office in Monte Vista open Mon.-Fri.;
no phone at campground)
San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area (15 miles west of entrance)
• Tent camping and RV sites with electric hook-ups, no potable
water. Colorado Wildlife Annual Permit is required for entry.
Visit http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/SanLuis
Recycling
Recycling
helps keep
parks clean
and wildlife
safe. Please
recycle!
#1, #2 plastic
Campground, Dunes Lot, Visitor Center
Aluminum cans
Campground, Dunes Lot, Visitor Center
Dark glass
Campground, Dunes Lot, Visitor Center
Light colored glass
Campground, Dunes Lot, Visitor Center
#3 - #7 plastics
Campground
General Information
Please also visit our website
www.nps.gov/grsa
Sand Sledding and Sandboarding
Junior Ranger Program
Great Sand Dunes does
not rent sand sled or
sandboard equipment.
Contact the following
retail outlets for rental
prices and equipment:
•
•
•
Oasis Store (outside
park entrance) rents
equipment from
spring to early fall,
719-378-2222
Kristi Mountain
Sports in Alamosa
(35 miles from the
park on US 160
West) is open year
Sand Sled
Sandboard
round, 719-5899759
Sand Dunes Swimming Pool near Hooper (35 miles from the
park on CO 17 North) is open year round, 719-378-2807.
Contact each retail outlet for pricing and equipment rental policies,
including restrictions for renting sleds and sandboards during the
winter season when snow and ice accumulate on the dunes.
Visitor Center
The visitor center is open daily year
round except for winter federal holidays.
Hours from Labor Day weekend to Memorial Day weekend are 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Call 719-378-6395 for summer hours.
The visitor center offers ranger
assistance, passport stamps, lost and
found, vending machine, park film,
exhibits, restrooms, backcountry permit
office, and park store.
Kids starting at age 3
and older can pick up a
free activity booklet to
earn a badge or patch.
The activity booklet
can be completed in
30 minutes to 1 hour.
For families with more
time, kids can
participate in the
Junior Ranger Explorer
Program by checking
out a backpack full of
supplies to complete in one day or overnight. Kids of any age can
earn a wooden badge after recording field observations using
scientific tools. The Park store has Junior Ranger items such as
vests, hats, and other memorabilia.
Programs and Events
Free Ranger-Led Programs
Free ranger-led programs are offered during the summer and fall at
the visitor center and amphitheater. Check the park website, visitor
center, or bulletin boards at the Piñon Flats Campground for a list
of programs.
Free Events
Video Microscope
Free workshops, demonstrations, book
signings and lectures are offered during
spring, summer and fall season. The park’s
annual Junior Ranger Day is held the first
Saturday in August, sponsored by the
Friends of the Dunes. To learn more about
the park’s event schedule, visit,
www.nps.gov/grsa or follow the park’s
Facebook or Instagram pages for more
frequent posts and updates of the calendar. Junior Ranger Day
Experience the Night
Nightime at Great Sand Dunes
can include dunes exploration
under a full moon; stargazing
(best with no moon); listening
for owls; observing migrating
frogs and salamanders on a wet
night; and attending a ranger
program about nocturnal
ecology and night skies. The
park store has star charts,
nocturnal wildlife books,
interactive kits and models, and
red LED flashlights to protect
your night vision.
Visitor Guide
7
Great Sand Dunes
National Park and Preserve
11500 Highway 150
Mosca, Colorado 81146
General information (recorded, 24 hours)
719-378-6300
Visitor Center and Park Store
719-378-6395
www.nps.gov/grsa
email: grsa_interpretation@nps.gov
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
Park Partners
Friends of the Dunes is a non-profit citizen’s support
group for Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
In cooperation with the National Park Service, the Friends
provide a forum for citizen involvement in planning
decisions, focus public interest on issues and need, and
provide volunteer and financial aid for projects beyond the
scope of the park’s budget. Learn more and support the
Friends by becoming a member. For more information visit
www.friendsofgreatsanddunes.org
In partnership with the National Park Service since 1938,
WNPA advances education, interpretation, research, and community engagement to ensure national parks are increasingly
valued by all. As a nonprofit education partner of the National Park Service, WNPA supports 71 national park partners
across the West, developing products, services, and programs
that enrich the visitor experience. www.wnpa.org
The Wild is Calling...at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
by Katherine Faz, Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is well-known for its tallest dunes in North
America, reaching heights over 750 feet, with a dunefield covering 30 square miles. A lesserknown but equally unique and important area within these boundaries is the Great Sand
Dunes National Preserve; 41,686 acres of pinyon-juniper forests extending to high elevation
alpine tundra, with areas rising to 13,000’ peaks. Visitors can experience a sense of solitude
and natural quiet or enjoy primitive recreation and wildlife viewing due to the fact that 87%
of the land within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is protected and managed as
designated or proposed Wilderness Areas.
The Wilderness Act signed in 1964 established a national Wilderness System that provides
the public with an opportunity to experience quiet, solitude, isolation, and allows for nonmotorized public access, while also protecting remote natural and cultural areas. Great Sand
Dunes encourages visitors to go wild and explore these wilderness areas and join the National
Park Service in protecting these areas so future generations can appreciate the same values. Few
of us live near wilderness areas, yet most of us are connected to them every day – clean water
sources, dark skies, and natural quiet. The Wilderness Area designations at Great Sand Dunes
offer visitors an opportunity to explore two different areas within a short distance from parking
areas or trailheads: Great Sand Dunes Wilderness Area and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness
Area, where you can experience a haven from the pressures of our fast-paced society.
The Great Sand Dunes Wilderness Area, established in 1976, is 35,955 acres within the
active dunefield. Visitors can easily access this wilderness area from one of multiple access
points, including the Dunes Parking Area, or from 4WD access points at Sand Pit and Castle
Creek picnic areas. This wilderness offers visitors an opportunity for primitive, non-motorized
recreation.
The Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area, jointly managed with the US Forest Service, comprises
39,686 acres within Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. This area is valuable habitat for a
variety of wildlife including black bear, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain lion and elk.
The high elevation lakes and creeks fed by spring runoff allow fish populations to thrive and
offer anglers a scenic location to cast their line for Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout or Rio Grande
Sucker. This mountainous wilderness area can be accessed from multiple locations along the
Sangre de Cristo mountain range, including only a ½ mile hike from the Mosca Pass/Montville
Nature trailhead or from the Medano Pass primitive road.
Hiker at Cottonwood Pass in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, part of
the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.
8 Visitor Guide
To learn more about the Wilderness Preservation System, visit www.nps.gov/wilderness and
www.wilderness.net .