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Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Designation: National Park & Preserve

Location: Colorado

Visit Official Park Website

📘 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

Grasslands, large dunes, and snow-capped peaks at sunset

The view at the park entrance contrasts giant dunes and snow-capped mountains.

Credit: NPS/Patrick Myers

Girls Sand Sledding

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, Grasslands, Dunes, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Elk are sometimes seen by visitors along the park entrance road or County Lane 6, primarily fall through spring.

Lower Sand Creek Lake, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Spectacular alpine lakes are part of the backcountry of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Credit: NPS/Kris Illenberger

Upper Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Sand Creek Basin, part of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, contains lush forests and alpine lakes.

Credit: NPS/Patrick Myers

Fall Colors Along Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park

Fall is a pretty time to visit the park, with great colors and generally nice weather.

Credit: NPS/Patrick Myers

Gold cottonwood trees, large dunes, a silver cloud, and snow-capped mountain

Experiencing Great Sand Dunes in the quieter seasons of fall and winter can be a rewarding experience.

Credit: NPS/Patrick Myers

A teen girl sits on a floatation device

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

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle
Fees are charged only when the entrance station is open in the spring, summer, and fall seasons or when the visitor center is open in the winter season. Fees can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. Passes may also be purchased in advance online through recreation.gov .
$25.00
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
15+ passenger vehicle, age 16+
$15.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Motorcycle and riders Valid up to 7 days
$20.00
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
This fee is for a commercial group of 1-6 people in a smaller vehicle. Valid for 7 days.
$25.00
Commercial Entrance - Van
This fee is for a commercial group of 7-15 persons in a van. Valid for 7 days.
$40.00
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
This fee is for a commercial group of 16-25 persons in a mini-bus. Valid for 7 days.
$40.00
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
This fee is for a commercial motor coach with 26+ capacity. Valid for 7 days.
$100.00
Entrance - Per Person
Entrance Fee for Bicycles or Walk-In Visitors
$15.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
If you visit Great Sand Dunes more than once in a year, consider purchasing an annual pass to save money. The Great Sand Dunes Annual Pass admits the pass holder(s) and all family members in the vehicle into the park for one year from date of purchase.
$45.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Thursday, Jun 11

Sunny

Sunny

High: 78.2°F | Low: 47.2°F

Humidity: 26%

Wind: 11.9 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 12

Sunrise: 05:39 AM

Sunset: 08:24 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (8%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 46.8°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Jun 12

Sunny

Sunny

High: 77.5°F | Low: 44.6°F

Humidity: 28%

Wind: 14.8 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 11.2

Sunrise: 05:39 AM

Sunset: 08:25 PM

Moon: New Moon (3%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 46.7°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Saturday, Jun 13

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 77.6°F | Low: 47.5°F

Humidity: 30%

Wind: 15 mph

Rain Chance: 17%

UV Index: 11.2

Sunrise: 05:39 AM

Sunset: 08:25 PM

Moon: New Moon (1%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 46.8°F

Cloud Cover: 17%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Weather Alerts (5)

⚠️ Fire Weather Watch (Severe)
▼

Fire Weather Watch issued June 10 at 7:59PM MDT until June 12 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Effective: Jun 10, 2026 9:59pm
Expires: Jun 11, 2026 2:00pm

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
223 AND 224...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 223 and 224.

* TIMING...From Friday morning through Friday evening.

* WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise
extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

⚠️ Fire Weather Watch (Severe)
▼

Fire Weather Watch issued June 11 at 1:37AM MDT until June 12 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Effective: Jun 11, 2026 3:37am
Expires: Jun 11, 2026 7:45pm

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 220, 223 and 224.

* WINDS...West 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise
extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

⚠️ Red Flag Warning (Severe)
▼

Red Flag Warning issued June 10 at 7:59PM MDT until June 11 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Effective: Jun 10, 2026 9:59pm
Expires: Jun 11, 2026 2:00pm

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 229 AND 230...

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
229 AND 230...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 229 and 230.

* TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 2 PM to 8 PM MDT
Thursday. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Friday afternoon
through Friday evening.

* WINDS...Thursday, East to southeast 15 to 25 mph with gusts up
to 35 mph. Friday, Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40
mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise
extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

⚠️ Fire Weather Watch (Severe)
▼

Fire Weather Watch issued June 10 at 7:59PM MDT until June 12 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Effective: Jun 10, 2026 9:59pm
Expires: Jun 11, 2026 2:00pm

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 229 AND 230...

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
229 AND 230...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 229 and 230.

* TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 2 PM to 8 PM MDT
Thursday. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Friday afternoon
through Friday evening.

* WINDS...Thursday, East to southeast 15 to 25 mph with gusts up
to 35 mph. Friday, Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40
mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise
extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

⚠️ Red Flag Warning (Severe)
▼

Red Flag Warning issued June 11 at 1:37AM MDT until June 11 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Effective: Jun 11, 2026 3:37am
Expires: Jun 11, 2026 7:45pm

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 229 AND 230...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 229 and 230.

* TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, from 2 PM this afternoon to
8 PM MDT this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Friday
afternoon through Friday evening.

* WINDS...For Thursday, east to southeast 10 to 20 mph with gusts
up to 35 mph. For Friday, west to southwest 15 to 25 mph with
gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 9 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise
extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

Park Alerts

11:00 am Sun. May 24 Traffic Update - Main Dunes Lot FULL Caution
As of 11:00 am, the Main Dunes Lot is FULL. Wait times at the Entrance Station are 10 -15 minutes. Please follow directions from park rangers directing traffic. if you park along the road, ensure that ALL FOUR TIRES are outside of the white line to allow for safe passage of other vehicles. Please drive CAREFULLY and SLOWLY in parking lots and areas with pedestrians on roadway.
All Vehicles MUST be Parked Completely Outside of White Lines Caution
During busy holiday weekends, many vehicles will be parking along side park roadways. For your safety and the safety of others, and access for emergency vehicles, all vehicles must be parked with ALL FOUR TIRES outside of the white line to ensure traffic lanes are open and clear. Please drive slowly and watch for pedestrians on roadway.

More Info

Speed Limits are Much Lower Inside Park than Surrounding Highways Caution
Speed limits for the park include 30 MPH near the park boundary and Great Sand Dunes Sign, and as low as 10 MPH near the Headquarters and Entrance Station. Speed limits are in place to protect park visitors, pedestrians, and wildlife in the park. Please drive carefully and responsibly.
Medano Pass Road OPEN for Season Information
Medano Pass Road is now fully open for the 2026 season.

More Info

Impassible Soft Sand on Medano Road between Castle Creek and Crossing 1 Caution
Many off road capable vehicles are becoming stuck in soft sand between Castle Creek and Crossing One. Driving on the Medano Pass Primitive Road in this area is not advised.

More Info

11 am Sun. May 24 Update Medano Pass Primitive Road and Parking Areas Information
Castle Creek Lot is FULL as of 11:00 am. Point of No Return Lot is FULL. Horse Trailer Parking Lot is FULL. Sand Pit has spaces available. All vehicles beyond the Point of No Return must be high-clearance, four-wheel drive. All-wheel drive vehicles prohibited.
Sand Board and Sand Sled Rentals Not Available In Park. Information
Sand boarding and sand sled rentals are located in local communities surrounding the park. Visitors are encouraged to arrange rentals BEFORE coming to the park.

More Info

Watch for Pedestrians on Roadway During Busy Holiday Weekend Periods Caution
Speed limits are between 10 and 30 MPH in busy areas. However, slower speeds are required in areas with people walking along roadways and in congested parking areas. Please ensure the safety and welfare of park staff and fellow visitors by taking extra caution driving in the park.
Piñon Flats Campground, sites can be reserved 3 months in advance for 2026 Information
Due to the need for improvements in Piñon Flats Campground, sites can be reserved 3 months in advance beginning in 2026.
Air Compressor at Amphitheater Parking Area OPEN for Season Information
The air compressor and tire filling station at the Amphitheater Parking Area is OPEN for the Season. It is still recommended that vehicle operators using the Medano Pass Primitive 4WD Road be prepared with their own portable air compressor before deflating tires in the area.

More Info

10:00 Sat 5/23 Update - Main Dunes Parking FULL - Watch for Pedestrians! Caution
As of 10:00 am, The main Dunes Lot is FULL. Parking along the Main Dunes Access Road is full halfway up to the main park road. Please drive slowly and watch for pedestrians on roadway. Follow directions of park rangers directing traffic. Entrance Station wait times is approximately 10 minutes.
High Wind Warning in Effect for Tuesday Feb. 17 & Wednesday Feb.18 Caution
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning, for the Great Sand Dunes Area with west winds 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 85 mph through Wednesday, February 18th. Hiking on the dunefield is not advised due to blowing sand.

More Info

Winter Weather Advisory in Effect Fri. Jan 23 11 am to Sun. Jan. 25 5 am Caution
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisory. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 12 inches are expected in the area of Great Sand Dunes. Travel could be very difficult to impossible, especially over area mountain passes.

More Info

Power Outage at Park 9 am to 2 pm Thur 5/21- VC Open, Park Store CLOSED Park Closure
A planned power outage today from 9 am to 2 pm will render the point-of-sale system inoperable at the WNP Park Store in the Great Sand Dunes Visitor. The Visitor Center information desk and restrooms will remain OPEN Park film will not be available. All outdoor area roads, trails, parking lots, and campground remain OPEN

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 Pinion 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.
Join Navajo historian Shawn Price for a 45-minute presentation that will highlight the impact on Tribal communities from the opening of America's Route 66 100 years ago and how it created a crossroads of commerce for travelers on the 'mother road'

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

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

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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