Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
National park · Saguache County ·
Towering dunes, seasonal creek, dark skies for stargazing
Information
Colorado Get directions
Towering dunes, seasonal creek, dark skies for stargazing
Colorado Get directions
"This park contains North America's tallest sand dunes rising abruptly from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, formed by winds funneling through mountain passes and ongoing sand recycling. Star attractions include two towering dunes that reach roughly 750 feet above the valley floor. The best time to visit is spring and early summer for mild daytime temperatures and the seasonal creek, and visitors come for sandboarding, sledding, dune hiking and creek play; sand surface temperatures on warm days can top about 150°F, so hiking shoes or socks are recommended. Designated an International Dark Sky Park, it also offers excellent stargazing, plus visitor amenities such as dune‑rover wheelchairs, dune showers, a campground, and family programs like Junior Ranger and archaeology days." - Taryn White Taryn White Taryn White is a D.C.-based travel writer who covers a wide range of topics, including family travel, hotels, food, aviation, beaches, historical and cultural topics, and wellness travel. She can often be spotted around the world with her husband and two travel-loving kids. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A striking landscape of towering sand dunes juxtaposed with mountain backdrops, notable for its unusual scale and recreational opportunities like sand sledding and hiking." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Recommended as an intriguing natural stop in southern Colorado where families can explore vast dunes and enjoy outdoor play in a dramatic landscape." - Jill Krasny Jill Krasny Jill Krasny is a journalist based in New York. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Esquire, The Financial Times, and Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Spend your days exploring North America's tallest sand dunes at this popular Colorado national park, officially deemed an International Dark Sky Park in 2019, before turning your eyes to the sky after sunset for an exceptional nighttime scene." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"This wide, shallow seasonal creek appears each spring (disappearing around August) thanks to Sangre de Cristo snowmelt and provides a short window for wading, tubing, skimboarding, and sandcastle building—plan for weekdays in late May or early June for fewer crowds." - Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines