Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Designation: National Park & Preserve
Location: Colorado
📘 Park Overview
Open 24/7 year round! There are no timed entries or reservations to visit. The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless night to experience countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park!
🌤 Weather Information
Temperatures are relatively cool all year at the park elevation 8000 ft. Conditions are most often calm, but winds can arise, especially in spring and during storm fronts. Daytime temperatures feel warmer here year round due to intense high-altitude sunlight, and mid-day summer sand surface temps can be 160 degrees F! Plan to explore the dunes morning or evening during summer. Nights are cool in summer, and frigid in winter. Visit https://nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/weather.htm for details
🚗 Directions
To access the main park area, including the Dunes Parking Lot, Visitor Center, and Pinon Flats Campground, take US 160 to CO 150 from the south, or CO 17 to Lane 6 to CO 150 from the west. The national park is at the north end of CO 150.
Images
The view at the park entrance contrasts giant dunes and snow-capped mountains.
Credit: NPS/Patrick Myers
Rent specially designed sand sleds to slide on the dry sand. Note: cardboard, snow sleds, saucers, and other items don't slide on dry sand.
Credit: NPS/Patrick Myers
Elk are sometimes seen by visitors along the park entrance road or County Lane 6, primarily fall through spring.
Spectacular alpine lakes are part of the backcountry of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
Credit: NPS/Kris Illenberger
Sand Creek Basin, part of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, contains lush forests and alpine lakes.
Credit: NPS/Patrick Myers
Fall is a pretty time to visit the park, with great colors and generally nice weather.
Credit: NPS/Patrick Myers
Experiencing Great Sand Dunes in the quieter seasons of fall and winter can be a rewarding experience.
Credit: NPS/Patrick Myers
Visitors can float Medano Creek's waves during late spring peak flow, in years of good snowpack
Credit: NPS/Patrick Myers
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Monday, Jul 13
Sunny
High: 85°F | Low: 46.3°F
Humidity: 40%
Wind: 17 mph
Rain Chance: 2%
UV Index: 12.6
Sunrise: 05:51 AM
Sunset: 08:25 PM
Moon: New Moon (0%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 53.4°F
Cloud Cover: 2%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Jul 14
Sunny
High: 84.9°F | Low: 44.7°F
Humidity: 42%
Wind: 11.6 mph
Rain Chance: 1%
UV Index: 12.7
Sunrise: 05:51 AM
Sunset: 08:25 PM
Moon: New Moon (1%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 54.2°F
Cloud Cover: 1%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Jul 15
Sunny
High: 81°F | Low: 46.4°F
Humidity: 51%
Wind: 15.9 mph
Rain Chance: 36%
UV Index: 11.4
Sunrise: 05:52 AM
Sunset: 08:24 PM
Moon: New Moon (3%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 53.7°F
Cloud Cover: 36%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (3)
Air Quality Alert issued July 13 at 10:10AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Effective: Jul 13, 2026 12:10pm
Expires: Jul 14, 2026 11:00am
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has
issued the following...
WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke.
WHERE...Pueblo County. Locations include, but are not limited to
Beulah and Rye.
WHEN...900 AM Monday July 13 to 900 AM Tuesday July 14
IMPACTS...Moderate to heavy smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire is
possible in southwest Pueblo County until at least Tuesday
morning.
HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is
thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain
indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease,
respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider
limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present.
Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is
making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in
your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.
Air Quality Alert issued July 13 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Effective: Jul 13, 2026 11:10am
Expires: Jul 14, 2026 11:00am
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has
issued the following...
WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke.
WHERE...Pueblo County. Locations include, but are not limited to
Beulah and Rye.
WHEN...900 AM Monday July 13 to 900 AM Tuesday July 14
IMPACTS...Moderate to heavy smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire is
possible in southwest Pueblo County until at least Tuesday
morning.
HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is
thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain
indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease,
respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider
limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present.
Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is
making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in
your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.
Air Quality Alert issued July 13 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Effective: Jul 13, 2026 6:10pm
Expires: Jul 14, 2026 11:00am
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has
issued the following...
WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke.
WHERE...Pueblo County. Locations include, but are not limited to
Beulah and Rye.
WHEN...900 AM Monday July 13 to 900 AM Tuesday July 14
IMPACTS...Moderate to heavy smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire is
possible in southwest Pueblo County until at least Tuesday
morning.
HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is
thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain
indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease,
respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider
limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present.
Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is
making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in
your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Annual Christmas Bird Count at Great Sand Dunes
Birders and nature enthusiasts in the San Luis Valley will join others across the Western Hemisphere to participate in Audubon’s longest-running wintertime tradition—the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC)—at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve on Saturday, Jan. 3, beginning at 7:45 a.m.
Birders of all skill levels are welcome and encouraged to participate. The park also invites residents within this year’s count circle who have bird feeders at home to join the effort.
To participate in the count at Great Sand Dunes, individuals must register and be signed up as volunteers. Interested participants should contact Park Biologist Dewane Mosher at Dewane_Mosher@nps.gov or 719-378-6363. Please leave a message with the names of those in your survey party. Registered volunteers will receive a fee waiver for park entrance on the day of the count.
Volunteers must arrive at the visitor center by 7:45 a.m. on Jan. 3 to complete volunteer paperwork, review safety guidelines, and receive a map of their assigned area along with instructions for submitting count results.
Location: Meet the Visitor Center for orientation and safety briefing
Date: Jan 3, 2026 12:00am to Jan 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Special Speakers Series: Katie Kariatsumari
Join us athe visitor center to explore the roles between small mammals such as the kangaroo rat, and its effect on the speciation of sunflowers here at Great Sand Dunes.
Location: Visitor Center Auditorium
Date: May 7, 2026 12:00am to May 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center Ranger Talk
Explore a variety of topics about Great Sand Dunes. Topics posted at visitor center lobby bulletin board. (20 minutes)
Location: Programs take place on visitor center rear porch, front lobby, or in auditorium. See bulletin board for topics and locations within visitor center.
Date: Jun 13, 2026 12:00am to Oct 10, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Junior Ranger Program
Hey Kids! Learn more about Great Sand Dunes with a park ranger.
Location: Park at the Amphitheater Parking Lot or walk from the Piñon Flats Campground. Program takes place on Amphitheater stage. AUGUST 1 PROGRAM LOCATED AT SOUTH RAMADA PICNIC AREA
Date: Jun 13, 2026 12:00am to Oct 10, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
100 Years of Route 66 and the Impact of the 'Mother Road' on Tribal Communities.
Location: Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center Auditorium
Date: Jun 20, 2026 12:00am to Jun 20, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Navajo Dine'Tah Dancers Cultural Demonstration and Presentation
Enjoy an evening of culture and dancing that connect to the Navajo or Dineh culture, one of the 29 affiiliated tribes and pueblos associated with Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Location: Pinon Flats Campground Amphitheater
Date: Jun 20, 2026 12:00am to Jun 20, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Pika Research in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Join researcher Dr. Erik Beever for a presentation on pikas who live here in the alpine tundra areas of Great Sand Dunes.
Location: Program Takes Place in Visitor Center Auditorium
Date: Jun 23, 2026 12:00am to Jun 23, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Amphitheater Evening Program
Join a park ranger for a talk on some of the fascinating aspects of our park and its surroundings.
Date: Jul 11, 2026 12:00am to Jul 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
The Original "Rock" Band, the Legacy of Lithophones at the Great Sand Dunes NP&P
Location: Visitor Center Auditorim
Date: Jul 22, 2026 12:00am to Jul 22, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Junior Ranger Day at Great Sand Dunes
Families and children are invited to take part in this free event, which features hands-on stations focused on dunes, wildlife, fossils, and cultural artifacts. Children who complete all activities will earn small prizes.
Participants may park at the Dunes Parking Area and follow signs to the registration table in the South Ramada Picnic Area to begin their Junior Ranger adventure. Participants may drop in at anytime during the event to engage with the activities and earn prizes.
Junior Ranger Day is presented in partnership with Friends of the Dunes, the park’s official nonprofit partner and citizen support group.
Location: South Ramada Group Picnic Area. Park at Main Dunes Lot and Walk to South Ramada Picnic Area.
Date: Aug 1, 2026 12:00am to Aug 1, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
Visitor Center
11999 State Highway 150
Mosca, CO 81146
🏤 Mailing Address:
Visitor Center
11999 State Highway 150
Mosca, CO 81146
📞 Voice Phone: (719) 378-6395
📞 Fax Phone: 719-378-6310
✉️ Email: grsa_interpretation@nps.gov