The tallest sand dunes in North America, rising against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains — popular for sandboarding and stargazing.

Park Pass

Join the National Parks Club

A single day covers the main dune field, while 2 to 3 lets you add a hike into the surrounding mountains.

No special permit is required to enter.

Alamosa is the closest town with real services, about 30 minutes from the park entrance.

The entrance fee is $25/vehicle (7-day), or purchase a National Parks Yearly Pass.

Why Visit?:

Great Sand Dunes protects the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising dramatically against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains — a genuinely strange, striking landscape combination you won't find anywhere else. Sandboarding and sand-sledding down the dunes is a rare, playful activity for a national park visit.

At night, the same dark skies that make the dunes glow gold at sunset make this one of the better stargazing parks in Colorado.

Things to Do:

Climbing High Dune or Star Dune is the classic Great Sand Dunes activity — no marked trail, just walking up the sand itself, which is harder than it looks but doesn't require technical skill. Sandboarding or sand-sledding (rentable in nearby Alamosa) adds a genuinely fun, different activity to the visit.

Medano Creek, which flows at the base of the dunes in late spring and early summer, is a popular, easy spot for kids to splash and cool off after a dune climb.

Get the Full Itinerary

Closest airports: San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS) in Alamosa is closest but has limited service; Colorado Springs (COS) or Denver (DEN), both 3-4 hours away, offer far more flight options.

Nearby Attractions:

Zapata Falls, a short hike from a nearby trailhead, is a worthwhile add-on, and the historic town of Alamosa offers dining and lodging as a base for the visit.