Visiting The Great Sand Dunes National Park from Crestone

The Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of just four national parks in Colorado and home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. The dunes are a dream for hikers, photographers, families, and anyone who wants to experience a place like no other. Over 500,000 people visit the Great Sane Dunes National Park every year, all year long. Even to Coloradans and folks who are no strangers to 14ers, the vast expanse of the dunes against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is truly awesome.

It’s always a great time to visit The Great Sand Dunes National Park

The sand dunes change with the seasons, but there is always something fun to do. In the winter, weather permitting, the park is an epic place to snow sled on the wintry white dunes. Snow sledding on the dunes is a really fun way to play with kids and kids at heart. The rest of the year, people come to hike, to camp, to sandboard and sand sled. And in the late spring and early summer when Medano Creek is flowing, the park turns into an exciting oasis.

Come prepared for sand and sun

The Great Sand Dunes National Park is easy and accessible for families and day trips, but smart preparation is a must no matter how far you intend to explore into the dunes. Hydration is incredibly important when exploring in the mountains of Colorado, but it is particularly dry at the dunes. Make sure you have more than enough water when you set out from your car. You can stop at the Visitor’s Center on your way in, or stop by a local store or gas station. If you’ve never been, it’s important to know that the San Luis Valley is very remote, so you can travel for miles without seeing any services.

The sun is very strong, so make sure you come prepared with sunscreen and hats, and consider loose clothing with SPF.

In the summer, the sand can get very hot, which can be particularly challenging for people in sandals and dogs. You will see happy pups on the dunes in booties, but some visitors choose to leave their dogs at home as well (note that dogs are only permitted in the day use area, so you’ll need to find a place to stay near the dunes if you do want to bring your pup).

Rent a sand sled or a sandboard

Sand is different than snow! If you visit during the winter, you may be able to use your own sled or tube. But when the dunes aren’t totally covered in sand, you’d find that they don’t work so well with the texture of the sand. Before heading to the dunes, you can rent a sandboard or a sled from Sand Dunes Recreation in Hooper or Kristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa.

Medano Creek

Medano Creek is a seasonal creek that flows through the Sand Dunes National Park in the Spring. You can expect water during the month of May but check out the parks website to find out exact information and timing on season flows.

Stay somewhere amazing

There are a lot of great lodging options near the Sand Dunes National Park. For starters, you can camp in the park in the developed campsites or in the backcountry. There is more camping along with spots for RVs at Sand Dunes Recreation in Hooper. Alamosa is not a far drive away, and you can find a few more amenities and hotel chains. But to give yourself a truly unforgettable experience, consider coming to nearby Crestone. Crestone is just under an hour’s drive away and combines breathtaking mountain views with an eclectic small town unlike any other.