Great Sand Dunes National Park

🌡️

150°F

Sand surface temp

🏂

BYO gear

Sandboard rental

🏕

88 sites

Campground

💵

$25

7-day fee

🌙

Certified

Dark sky park

🏔

742 ft

Tallest dune

⚠️Hot Sand & Lightning Safety150°F surface▾

🌡️ NPS's top-billed warning: sand surface temperatures can reach 150°F on summer afternoons — hot enough to cause second-degree burns on bare feet. Plan dune hikes for early morning or evening in summer, and wear closed-toe shoes. The open dune field offers zero shelter from afternoon lightning, common in summer — get off the dunes at the first sign of a storm and wait 30 minutes after the last strike before continuing. Other risks: sand collapse from digging deep holes, thin air at 8,200+ ft elevation, and mountain lions/black bears. NPS safety info ↗

Quick Stats

Visitor Center Elevation~8,200 ft

Park High Point13,604 ft

Established2004

Max Sand Surface Temp150°F

🪧Park Entrance & Fees1 entrance · $25▾

Only Entrance Usually Open

CO Highway 150, via Mosca, CO

A single entrance road leads directly to the Visitor Center and main dune field parking, in the San Luis Valley between Alamosa and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

💡 No advance reservations, timed entries, or visitor caps — walk up or drive in any time.

NPS directions ↗

Note Not Accepted

Colorado "Keep Colorado Wild" Pass

This state park pass does not cover Great Sand Dunes — it's a federal NPS unit and requires a separate federal entrance pass.

NPS fee details ↗

Entry Fees · 7-day pass

Vehicle$25

Motorcycle$20

Individual / Foot / Bike$15

Great Sand Dunes Annual Pass$45/yr

America the Beautiful$80/yr

No timed entry · No visitor caps

🏜️The Dune Field742 ft tallest▾

🏂 The National Park Service does not rent sand sleds or sandboards — plan to rent gear before arriving. The closest option is the Great Dunes Oasis Store, about 4 miles from the Visitor Center near the park entrance (seasonal); more options exist in Mosca, Blanca, Hooper & Alamosa.

Hidden Dune Tallest in the Field ▾

Height742 ft base-to-summit

NotesCurrently the tallest dune, narrowly ahead of Star Dune

Star Dune Longest Hike ▾

Height741 ft base-to-summit

Distance~6 mi round trip, ~6 hrs typical

High Dune Most Visited ▾

Height692 ft base-to-summit

NotesNot the tallest, but looks that way from the main parking lot — ~2 hrs round trip typical

Medano Creek Seasonal ▾

Peak FlowLate May–June

NotesA rare surge-flow creek at the dune field's edge; typically dry by mid-June, no live gauge available

🏕Campground Availability88 sites▾

Piñon Flats Campground Reservation Only ▾

Individual Sites88

Group SitesA/B (20–40 people, $80/night) · C (15–30 people, $65/night)

Location1 mile north of the Visitor Center

SeasonApril–October

Book on Recreation.gov ↗

Piñon Flats is the park's only campground. It books up fast during Medano Creek's late-May/June peak flow — reserve well in advance for that window.

📍Landmarks & Trails3 stops▾

In the Park2 stops▾

Medano Pass Primitive Road22 mi, high-clearance 4WD only · connects to Wet Mountain Valley · soft sand & creek crossingsLate May–Nov

Mosca Pass Trail7 mi round trip, ~1,400 ft gain · trailhead near the Visitor Center~3.5 hrs

Nearby — Not Part of the Park1 stop▾

Zapata FallsBLM land, ~5 mi south of the park boundary off CO-150 — not an NPS site~1 hr

🌙Stargazing & Night SkyCertified 2019▾

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Great Sand Dunes was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. High San Luis Valley elevation and remoteness from cities make for excellent stargazing over the open dune field. Layer up — desert nights get cold fast even after 100°F+ days. NPS night sky info ↗

Park Contact Information

📞 Phone: (719) 378-6395 · Mailing Address: 11999 State Highway 150, Mosca, CO 81146 · Official NPS contact page ↗