Great Sand Dunes National Park

Before you go

• Piñon Flats Campground is open April 1 to October 31 and requires reservations through Recreation.gov.
• In the national park, sleeping in vehicles or camping outside designated areas is prohibited. All overnight stays need a permit or reservation.
• In summer the sand surface can reach 150°F (about 66°C). Plan dune walks for early morning or evening.

Planning

The park lies near Mosca on Colorado State Highway 150 and is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The visitor center is at about 8,200 ft (roughly 2,500 m), so nights stay cool even in summer. Star Dune rises 750 ft (about 229 m) from base to crest and is described as the tallest in North America. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the dunefield. Medano Creek flows in late spring. Thunderstorms are common in July and August, and lightning is a serious hazard.

Camping

Piñon Flats Campground is the main vehicle-accessible campground, with paved roads, individual and group sites. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov. Backpacking on the dunes in the national park needs a permit, while backpacking in the adjoining preserve does not. Medano Pass Primitive Road has up to 21 first-come campsites when the road is open, but only high-clearance 4WD vehicles may use it. Check the park's camping page for hookups, RV limits and current rules.

Getting around

Medano Pass Primitive Road circles the eastern edge of the dunes and crosses a pass at about 10,000 ft. It is sandy near the dunes, then forested and rocky with stream crossings. The park says only street-licensed, high-clearance 4WD vehicles may drive it, so motorhomes and towed trailers should not. The FAQ mentions no timed entry system. For current entry rules and fees, check the park's fees and passes page.

FAQs