visiting great sand dunes national park

National Park Obsessed is your guide to the national parks. High Dune is the second tallest dune in the … Each one of those four varies greatly in views. Visitors can hike them (some peak as … National Park Obsessed’s Detailed Guides to Denali National Park, Road Trips that Include Zion National Park, Other Articles featuring Acadia National Park, National Park Service units within a 4 hours drive, National Park Service units within an 8 hours drive, Pin for Later: Visiting Denali National Park National Park and Preserve: The Complete Guide. The best times in my opinion to visit is in the spring, starting around May 1st, when the water starts to run. The National Park known as Great Sand Dunes National Park sits on Jicarilla Apache, Cheyenne, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) land. Learn how your comment data is processed. Tonight Dec 12 - Dec 13 Check prices close to Great Sand Dunes National Park for tonight, Dec 12 - Dec 13 Tomorrow night Dec 13 - Dec 14 Check prices close to Great Sand Dunes National Park for tomorrow night, Dec 13 - Dec 14 Next weekend Dec 18 - Dec 20 Check prices close to Great Sand Dunes National Park for next weekend, Dec 18 - Dec 20 Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the four national parks found in Colorado. Great Sand Dunes, Colorado -- Grasslands, wetlands, conifer, aspen, alpine lakes, tundra and more. As you are driving through Colorado's farm, prairie, and marsh lands, snow capped peaks in the distance provide a stunning backdrop for absolutely massive sand dunes that seemingly come out of nowhere. Rain and wind storms can occur any time of year. Walk around the base or take a hike to the top of one (or all) the dunes. How Much Time Should I Spend Visiting Denali National Park? Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of southern Colorado’s most visited attractions and was recently chosen as one of Time’s “Coolest Places 2019”.Recognized as a national park in 2004, it boasts North America’s highest sand dunes and is the perfect spring or fall getaway, just across the Sangre de Cristo Range from Custer County. Here is a short video provided by the Great Sand Dunes National Park Service showcasing what the Great Sand Dunes have to offer. Sandboarding and Sledding. Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park with Kids. Located in south central Colorado on the east side of the Front Range, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. This national park is very kid friendly, and they’re free to roam in most areas. If you have an annual pass for the national parks, Great Sand Dunes is included. After having visited White Sands National Monument and Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes at Death Valley, we thought we could handle hiking up the dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park. You have the snowy mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park, the gorgeous gorges of Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the mind-boggling ruins of Mesa Verde, and of course the great sand dunes of, erm, Great Sand Dunes National Park. And mountains frame the scenery at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado, making this destination one of my favorites. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is RANDOM. 0 shares. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. About Great Sand Dunes. The national park is located in the San Luis Valley while the national preserve is located to the east in an adjacent section of the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rocky Mountains. Katy Bracket. At the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado you can hike, camp and sand sled and more on the tallest dunes in North America. It's about a 4 hour drive from Denver and 3 ½ hours from Aspen, so tourists and out-of-staters often miss seeing it. Especially at sunset (peep the pics below below). We work to create comprehensive guides to the national parks and lands. Because it’s a national park, you have to pay an entrance fee at the gate. All images courtesy of the author. There are also RV sites and cabins. Ride a fat bike: Fat tire bikes (think souped-up mountain bikes with extra wide tires that make riding … There are very few places in North America where can you backpack into a field of giant sand dunes and pitch a tent for the night. Where are Acadia National Park’s visitor centers? March 3, 2020 by Krystal Miller. The largest dunes in North America were millions of years in the making, but it was the newest park to receive “national park” status, in 2003. Great Sand Dunes National Park Visitor Center – Open Year Round. Picture this, you’re driving across the country with nothing but open road ahead of you. Quick Things To Know Before Going to Great Sand Dunes. With the tallest sand dunes in the North America, you simply won't find taller sand dunes and they are majestic to gaze upon. We were surprised and delighted by our trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park, but we did not come prepared. Thank you to the Native Land Digital for making the Indigenous territories accessible to all. If the Great Sand Dunes National Park is on your bucket, check out this list of things to know before planning your visit in order to make the best out of your trip. Get information on Great Sand Dunes National Park Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and activities. Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in southern Colorado, about 3.5 hours from Denver. The dune fields encompass more than 30 square miles beneath the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The Sand Dunes are the result of wind and water driving debris into the mountains, and they are absolutely stunning. 28 Sep 2020. The Special Park Use Coordinator can help you find a location outside of the wilderness areas. Well.. the dunes were massive and we felt like passing out mid-hike.The Great Sand Dunes are the tallest in North America and you immediately feel small when you see them. Visitors Center 81146, (719) 378-6395 When you approach the tallest sand dunes in North America at Great Sand Dunes National Park, you almost feel like you are on the set of Star Wars. It is honestly so astounding as you drive into the park and see the massive dunes come into view, with the mountains rising above them in the background. 1133. Take in the spectacular view of the white peaked Sangre de Cristo mountains as the backdrop to the vast fields of sand and Medano Creek. Within the San Luis Valley, between the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountains (both of which run north from Santa Fe), sand dunes have been forming for over approximately 440,000 years. Camping at the Great Sand Dunes Welcome to the Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado. National Park Obsessed assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site (NationalParkObsessed.com). Great Sand Dunes National Park: Wonderful National Park to Visit - See 876 traveler reviews, 1,020 candid photos, and great deals for Mosca, CO, at Tripadvisor. During the summer, the surface of the sand can reach 150°F. Where to stamp your National Parks Passport Book? Produced by Gak Stonn. Go to the Visitor’s Center for maps, guides and interactive exhibits. Best Times To Visit. The map at left highlights the wilderness areas in yellow. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve spans a 150,000-acre area. Number of travelers: 2 (me and my friend, Jessica) Primary activities: hiking, camping. The park and preserve contain ecosystems ranging from wetlands to forest to tundra—each supporting specially adapted plant, animal and insect life. Best Time To Go. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is in Southern Colorado. Get the Junior Ranger booklet for the kids to learn more about the parks, its ecosystem and wildlife. Hike to the Tallest Dune in North America. By. Tips for Visiting the Great Sand Dunes National Park with Kids. See some of the possibilities of a winter visit - including sledding, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and wildlife watching - in this two minute video. Great Sand Dunes National Park costs the following: An annual Great Sand Dunes National Park Pass costs $35 but it is not recommended you buy this pass. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Please review the Great Sand Dunes Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Great Sand Dunes. Our goal with this national park blog is to inspire your next national park visit. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is located in Saguache and Alamosa Counties, Colorado at approximately 37.75° north latitude and 105.5° west longitude. All of the blown sand from the great plains gets trapped here due to the mountains. Your email address will not be published. Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park. Great Sand Dunes National Park serves up 30 square miles of enormous sand dunes—the biggest in North America. Otherwise, there are more options in the town of Alamosa. There are many events from May through September including the Summer Concert Series and Junior Ranger Day programs. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mosca: Address, Phone Number, Great Sand Dunes National Park Reviews: 4.5/5 (only in national preserve during legal seasons). I hope these photos and tips from my time visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park will inspire a fun trip for you! The Great Sand Dunes National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hike the Highest Dune You Can! Kids can earn either a patch or badge after completing the activities. Which is such a shame, because it's gorgeous! You are encouraged to conduct your own due diligence before acting on the information provided on this site and should not rely on the opinions expressed here. Camping and Lodging. If it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot – it’s too hot for your pup! The Great Sand Dunes National Park is such an incredible place to visit; not only is it one of the lesser known National Parks, it is also definitely one of the lesser crowded ones! The Great Sand Dunes National Park is open 24 hours (making it an excellent spot for star gazing and night photography!) Depending on what time of year you visit, you’ll need to take precautions to keep pets safe. Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park was on the list and this weekend we gave it a BIG check off. Jennifer is a long time national park blogger and the founder of National Park Obsessed. Originally designated as a national monument in March of 1932, Great Sand Dunes was named a national park in September of 2004. This makes for some of the darkest starry skies in America. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park. Consult the official Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve web site for information on fees and camping reservations. Sledding on Sand and Stargazing: Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park. That’s fine, but at least factor in 2 hours to … The entrance fees are very affordable at $3.00 a person or a yearly pass for $15 dollars. No where else can you see a historically important piece of land and take part in multiple outdoor activities at the same time. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge of the Parks with others and helping them learn to love the parks as much as she does. The fee for a standard passenger vehicle is $15 (which is then valid for 7 days). Your email address will not be published. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve spans a 150,000-acre area. At this high elevation, winter conditions and snowfall can occur from November through April. Fall is definitely the best time to go! The tallest dune, Star Dune, rises almost 800ft. Are dogs allowed in Acadia National Park? Park right now reader assumes all responsibility for their own personal safety inspire your next National and... 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