Great experience! My 4 children absolutely loved sand sledding. My infant was snuggled and slept through it all. I was worried about the altitude with my infant and she did fine. Suggestions dress in layers, bring goggles because the wind blows the sand into your eyes, we had masks on and that helped a lot as well. Bring a drink! It’s really tiring walking in the sand. We went Yesterday Feb 20, temp was 40 degrees and it was comfortable due to the activity of going up and down, I can’t imagine going here in the summer. Last suggestion you can rent the Sand sleds! I was asked all day where we got them. There are several businesses listed on the parks website of where you can rent them and when. Overall our experience was 10/10!

A National Park gem! You can hike the sand dunes themselves or go on one of the trails at a distance. Pets are not supposed to be on the dunes, but are welcome on the other trails. You can rent sand boards and sleds at locations outside the park. We saw some wildlife on our visit as well. Restrooms are available at the visitor center.

Great Sand Dunes is a beautiful State Park, difficult to hike all the way up, but it is worth it. The views are spectacular! Early morning is the best way to hike it, please use sunscreen and plenty of water with snacks. You will love it out there !

Truly life changing to see. Make sure to bring cash for entry, and parking is easy and plentiful. A bit of a walk to the dunes but an easy and beautiful walk. Some people bring sleds to slide but I recommend shoes that you don’t mind getting sand in. If you look closely in the photos you will see the black dots which are people - lol!

This is a must see if you live in Colorado or just visiting. I have been here multiple times and it’s always super fun. The summer sand is pretty hot and there’s not much water in the creek so be prepared to wear shoes in the sand. March is ideally the best time in my opinion. Don’t forget to rent your sand surfing board. Camped out at the alien watch tower also super cool if you’re into quirky roadside attractions as I am.

Had a wonderful time here. The medano creek was running full volume while we were here. It was a refreshing break from the heat. We did the high dune trail which was a humbling experience. It’s only 3 miles round trip but with the steep sand terrain it quickly turned into a very difficult hike. If the sand isn’t too hot I recommend doing this hike barefoot! It’s super fun to run down the dunes on foot. We also tried sand-boarding and sledding where you can rent boards for $20 a day at the oasis. It’s really hard work hauling them up the dunes. If you’ve been to White Sands this park is much larger and steeper. Still very windy at the top however. Wear long pants to prevent sand sting.

We arrived a little before dusk and got to experience the dunes for the first time under reasonable conditions between the lack of crowds and the lower temperatures. No entrance fee for some reason when we visited, but it seemed circumstantial so I’d bring your card to be safe. It was a brief yet stunning walk to the dunes and an enjoyable time scaling the hills of the dunes themselves. The wind lessens significantly the closer you get to the more intense hills, and the moisture levels in the sand were not as bad as we thought it’d be after a day of inconsistent rainfall. A handful of people were trekking along to spend the night deeper into the park whereas others were heading up to sand-board the steeper slopes for a quick evening experience. It was surely a sight to see and immediately became the highlight of our trip. Loved the clarity of the night sky as well after getting to witness a beautiful sunset falling over the neighboring mountains. However, neither of those two views could top the spectacular silhouette of the grand accumulations of sand while the sun was quickly setting behind them. The vast landscape was incredible, especially when being surrounded by such completely different terrain. All in all, it was an amazing place to finally drive to and see firsthand!

Awesome park! It's quite a drive and then quite a walk from the parking lot to the dunes. We rented both a sand sled and sand board and spent 1 hour riding down the dunes. We got there around 10am in late July and it was not too hot. There were many people there though. Be sure to check out Zapata Falls on your way out for a quick but beautiful hike!

This is one of my family’s favorite National parks! It seems like it should not exist but it does. It is not a very big park but there is way more sand than you can walk through. The dunes are crazy high! I would highly recommend renting the sand sleds and sand boards. It is super fun to ride down the dunes. Do NOT use snow equipment. It will not work at all. We have gone in every season but winter and it is enjoyable anytime. I know what you are thinking. “Ugh, sand will get everywhere.” That is actually not the case. This sand is all from wind erosion and not water. The sand is so clean and feels so good on your toes. It brushes off pretty easily too. This park is worthy of one (or more) visits if you can swing it.

Amazing and great experience to play in the sand at Great Sand Dunes National Park. You can do various activities in the sand here like sledging and can spend the entire day here. Definitely wear a goggles and mask if you don't like the sand to go in your mouth or eyes. And one more suggestion take a drink with you as you might get exhausted while walking in the sand. Wear the colorful clothes if you want to get your picture clicked. And if u are going in the evening don't miss an opportunity to see the beautiful sunset from the parking. Our experience was 10/10.

Cool place to visit and definitely recommend if you're in the area. It's out in the middle of nowhere but that makes it unique and a postive thing...not as crowded as other National Parks. It's worth seeing once.

I really enjoyed my time here, I spent about three or so hours hiking to the tallest dune. It was definitely worth the view, although it was strenuous at times. The sand can get extremely hot, but we were able to take our boots off and go barefoot for a while because it had snowed a few days before and it was cool beneath a few inches of the sand. We even saw snow underneath the hot sand! Definitely cool in different experience. Just the fact that the sand dunes are there themselves is fascinating, educate yourself!

Drove from SW Iowa to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Oh what a beautiful drive in the fall. When we reached the park there was an unexpected surprise a waterfall park down the road (separate from the park). Now on to the sand dunes! OMG the beauty of the sand swept dunes against the mountain is just beautiful. In addition we were lucky the tree colors were so brilliant yellow/gold. You can climb the sand dunes, which takes some endurance and is messy with sand on you. If you're into pictures there are so many photo ops around the park. Admission is $25 per car. Bring your own snack and drinks, minimal items available on site.

We hiked up to thr tallest dune and then road it all the way down . This park is great for families and has a wide variety of activities. Sand boarding , swimming in medano creek, sand castle building ,hiking , and a great place for photos ,.. get up early cuz the sand gets really hot after noon

The dunes were amazing. What a mirage. I would go on a cooler day though cause it will be hot. Beautiful and cool experience. Next time I'm getting a sand board, cause that looked like a good time:) Must see!

Loved backpacking into the dunes back in October! Had an amazing clear starry sky, meteor shower, and perfect dark sky conditions. It was an experience I'll never forget.

We had to drive four hours to get here, and it was totally worth it! The views are absolutely amazing. You spend $25 to enter the park. And then you can walk up the sand and you may catch some of the water. The sand was hot so we didn’t really go on it. But we did hang out in the water. They have bathrooms and a store in the visitor center as soon as you come in. Also, they have changing rooms and a shower back to the left of the dunes parking lot. Only one of the shower works at the front room entrance of the Sand dunes. Unfortunately, we had a lady who decided to take a personal shower while 15 or more were waiting in line. I would recommend using the back shower instead of using the shower in the front just because it was very unfortunate that this person didn’t learn common courtesy, and their excuse was they drove 12 hours. I’m pretty sure there’s truck lodges along the way and you can pay a shower. Over all would recommend the park!

This place feels like miracle . Between mountain , next to water stream & we have sand dunes . Hike is long about 3 hrs to come back , with family 30 min each route way will give plenty of experience too . You must stay till dark and to watch star , Milky Way with zillion time zillions star can be seen so clear like hard to see . We did saw Milky Way and sky covered with star and kids were super excited and adults were excited like kids . Plan going towards end of day if not a cloudy day & check weather and make sure to star grazing . This is must go place .

We visited as part of the Robotics Challenge this past weekend. What an amazing park. The views in the early morning are incredible with sun shadows and the snow capped peaks. The kids had a blast playing in the sand, even though we didn't make it up on the dunes this trip. We will be back to tackle the dune climb and some trails.

Worth the drive! Although we missed the gas station to get the board, but it was really amazing experience. One thing though, I would not recommend you to take your pet and walk far from the water because of the heat. Also, We heard this place is open for camping, we will definitely going back there to see the stars!

Beautiful park. The sand Dunes are massive. If you're going to attempt to make it to the top of star dune or high dune I'd recommend stretching first and bringing some water. It's quite a challenge. NPS people were nice as always. An overall stunning place unlike anywhere else I've ever seen

This is an immensely incredible natural wonder, almost bizarre that such a thing even exists in the United States. A few things to know: it is very windy here, and the place is practically in a constant state of mild sand storm. If you expect to climb all the way to the top, dress appropriately - any exposed skin can and will be sandblasted. A face covering of some sort will also go a long way for you to not inhale all the dust. There is also a very shallow creek/river that needs to be crossed to get to the dunes - so expect to either go this part barefooted, or with good boots. The climb to the top is fairly physically challenging, it is somewhat loose sand after all.

This is a really nice national park with huge sand dunes that you can climb, surf, sled, or just roll down if you are as talented as me. The sand is very fine, and that makes you sink a little as you walk. Make sure to bring plenty of water because it can get hot and tiring after hiking up the sand dunes. Also, make sure to rent the sleds or sand boards before entering the park because they dont have any rentals there. The sights are completely beautiful!

An incredible sight to behold Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the most unique spots in Colorado, or even the entire US. Hosting the tallest sand dunes in North America, this vast area is sure to wow all who visit. Hiking to the top of the dunes is no easy feat, but well worth it for the unique view, its just like how you imagined the Sahara desert would be, but here in the foothills of the Sangres. Many people bring sleds and boards to ride down the dunes, or some just run, jump, or roll down them. In late Spring and early Summer, snowmelt from the Sangres feeds a creek that will run down through the base of the park, creating a seasonal flood plain that brings a bit of watery fun to the park. There is camping located in the park, or more secluded camping can be located within an hour outside of the park. Do yourself a favor and take the time to come spend a day out here, you won't be disappointed.

Beautiful view driving toward the dunes! I came during November and found out the camping season is over, but nearby parks offer camping with amenities. The restroom in the visitor center was clean. Parking was close to dunes entry way. There are restrooms and changing areas near the dunes parking to clean yourself after the sand. I wore hiking shoes and found myself removing my shoes and walking with only socks instead. Next time I will plan better for walking in sand. I also carried a backpack with snacks and drinks as the dunes are challenging to walk up, but the views and experience is worth it. Plenty of families brought sleds or toboggans but you should take into account carrying it up with you. If you are a Veteran, bring your ID as we receive a parks pass to allow your visit to be free for you and anyone in your vehicle.

Absolutely gorgeous! It's very tiresome, but that's to be expected. I wouldn't recommend renting a sled in the winter, seeing as you have to pay extra if it touches snow. That said, there is nothing more exciting than flying down these hills. Keep me mind, it is almost impossible to leave here without you and all your friends covered in sand! I can't wait to go again with my camera if I can it's absolutely beautiful! I also love the visitors center. It has a good gift shop and an amazing view. You also learn a lot about how they were formed and the significance to other cultures. 10/10 recommend

Great stop on the way if you’re going to or from somewhere, wouldn’t consider this an all day national park. The dunes are so much bigger once you’re there than from the road. You can climb and hike on them and the visitor center is nice with plenty of educational videos, information and a gift shop. The staff was very friendly as well.

Such a cool place! Makes you feel like you left North America. Can do hiking or rent a sled/board and ride down the dunes. Much better to go in the evening when it's not as hot. No shade once you're in the dunes so unless you bring a beach tent/umbrella you can't really escape the heat while in the dunes. Tip: it is a lot easier walking in socks or water shoes in the sand than in sneakers or sandals. I wore socks and water shoes with a rubber sole over them and it protected my feet from the hot sand (but your feet could still feel pretty hot). If bringing pets, go in the evening or bring shoes.

This is one of the most unique national parks in America! It has huge sand dunes backed right up against a huge mountain range. You can hike through the sand dunes and even make it to the highest one. However, it is a few miles and 1000+ feet of elevation to get there. In the summer there are also fields of wild flowers surrounding the dunes.

It was an awesome experience . Don’t under estimate the sand , cold , wind and altitude . Remember it’s harder coming down than it actually is going up. Go slow ,take deep breaths and drink lots of water .

I am not a religious person but there is something spiritual about this place. It was one of/if not the best camping trips I have been on and can't wait to go again. Bring water! The dunes are harder than most realize to summit so be prepared to trek up. We brought snowboards/sleds and had a blast going down the sides.

This was my first national park in Colorado, I’m extremely impressed. The views are breathtaking and the history of the dunes is interesting. If you aren’t used to high altitude take the hike to high dune at your own speed. One thing at this park that could use improvement is the visitor center. The visitor center was nice, but there were no vending machines for refreshments/snacks. Overall I highly recommend bringing your family/friends to this location. 5/5 ⭐️

Talk about an experience! *whew* Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the few “one of a kind experiences” in today’s world. Located right on the side of Sangre De Cristo Mountains, the Great Sand Dunes are the largest and one of the few sand dunes in the United States. From stunning views to physically demanding hikes, the Great Sand Dunes offers a unique and exciting experience. The visitor center is very interesting and offers great history on the formation of the dunes and that area. The bathrooms and shower areas are clean and taken care of. “Looking from the top of the Great Sand Dunes, feels like you’re standing on the top of the world!” The Great Sand Dunes National Park is must see in the United States and a must see in the world. I can’t wait to return!

(Translated by Google) Wonderful 🥰 (Original) Maravilloso 🥰

Went the first week of June, it was a bit cold and the wind was blowing. Might be better to wait till July. But it's definitely worth the stop by. There's a small gift shop and museum also.

Wow what what amazing views from the top!!It’s not the easiest climb between the altitude and the fact the sand isn’t easy to climb on but it’s totally worth it. We got there just after a snow. Truly beautiful!

Absolutely amazing place! Might still be removing sand from everything we own for a few months but so worth it. The river is great and our two year old thought splashing in it was a blast. Sledding down the dunes was definitely a great time for the entire family. Recommend heading to the river if it's running once it starts getting hot. Hiked to high dune in the evening to catch the moonrise. It was simply amazing! Not sure I'd call this a dark sky park but it was still 100% worth the climb! Add this to your bucket list!

Really cool place to visit but in the middle of nowhere! Definitely plan to have plenty of food and water as even the surrounding towns don’t have much. Beautiful dunes and really easy to access once in the park. They’re dog friendly as well which our pup loved running around in the sand.

Very pretty, I just don’t like sand though so there’s also a creek to relax and play in. In summertime, prepare before you go since the sand is very hot and will burn your feet. Also bring things like sunglasses and things that will protect you from the blowing sand and the hot sun.

Beautiful all year round! The dunes are really worth the drive and a great visit whether you have small children or hardcore athletes. You can walk all the way to the top but you can also just stay on the flats. Definitely a must see!

Pretty hard hike, very unusual place in Colorado between mountains. Colorado has own Sahara Desert ha! I think it would be cool to go there by night and see the night full of stars ⭐️! My husband did to the top with small baby on th back but I did ut half with 2yo 😉

Hiking to High Dune is a treat. You get to experience the sand in your shoes and see the mountains around you. Backcountry camping is great, you just need to be out of sight from the road and you can star gaze in a spectacular location. I can't stress enough how fun dune boarding is, so look for one and get ready to be covered in sweat and sand after you walk back up the dune for another ride down

The dunes are breath taking just indescribable. The kids enjoyed renting sleds from Kristys sport store. Tried to sand board as well.

Amazing time! Going early in the morning is best during summer months. It gets really hot on the sand. Hydrate a lot! Sand grey's in all your clothes. We opted for trekking up the dunes in old socks which was fine because we were there before the temps hit 91° otherwise we would have needed shoes.

Beautiful!!! We made it to the “point of no return” then circled back. If you want to go further you gotta have good clearance & tires not to mention a spare. It was wicked hot so pack plenty of cool drinks, hat, umbrella. There’s a shower at the entrance so no worries about sand in the car. If you want to brave the hike, it was already too hot for us at noon. There were plenty of people still hiking but we passed & just focused on photos from afar. It looked to have good camping sites & a wonderful area for star gazing. The gift shop was normal NP prices but had some super cute stickers & lapel pins (we travel so much we spend less on souvenirs & more on gas!!! We have places to see not trying to waste money on shirts/hoodies. Our motto is spend money on gas & attractions not food & clothes) The wait to get in was only about 15 minutes & the girl at the gate was super friendly.

Spectacular scenery with the sand colored dunes rising up in front of a mountain range and the Medano Creek flowing its life giving waters along the bottom of the dunes. The park hosts the tallest dunes in North America. Best time to visit is early morning and evening when the colors bring out the beauty and the mid day sun is not so hot. There are nature walking and hiking trails along with sand boarding. A beautiful campground and toilets are available.

Beautiful! Just Beautiful! Wear shoes that can traverse sand, maybe some water, and perhaps a bit of sunscreen.

Very remote, but incredibly interesting site. Really nice visitor center and campgrounds. The bathroom at the dunes was absolutely putrid. But we weren’t there for the toilets now were we?

Desert in front of snow mountain! A good choice to experience desert vibes. Be sure to wear boots or high top shoes so the sand won’t get in lol

(Translated by Google) BEAUTY 😍 (Original) BELLEZA 😍

Loved it!

Can't wait till Spring

I’d recommend going on a sunny day & to check the wind forecast as well. It does cost $ but the fee was very reasonable. We had such a blast here & will definitely be back! I was also surprised to find that my dog could tag along.

An amazing National Park, the Sand Boarding is well worth it. Be sure to bring a lot of water, it's a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the Dunes.

Great experience at the dunes! Boy do they get hot tho, even in May, I can’t imagine hiking on them in July or August

My wife and I drove over from Salida, Colorado, we were there visiting from Texas. These dunes are a nice sight to see with the mountains in the background. I would recommend checking them out if you are anywhere near or planning on visiting close by.

A place to chill with friends and swim after working out

Bring your bug spray and hiking boots to experience a place like no other on Earth. The highest sand dunes in the world are breath taking and snag a camp site at Piñon Flats if you can find a reservation early enough. Wonderful trip!

October visit before the time change meant I was able to enter after 5 and make it to the top of the highest dune just in time for sunset. The temperature was cool and I could’ve walked on the super fine sand in bare feet. It is one of few national Parks which allow dogs (on leash)

Depending on the time you go, you could either burn up, freeze, or get your skin sand blasted off. Despite all of that, it's worth visiting at least once. It's beautiful and definitely astounding to see! Bring plenty of water and covering. The top is not for the faint of heart!

We love coming to this national park, it's one of our favorites! The amenities are in excellent condition and everyone is always super friendly.

Such a wonderful place to visit. You can see it for miles away. The only place you can do a panoramic view and see a desert, rock mountains, green mountains and snow mountains. A must see.

So beautiful to see. Crazy how all the sand ended up here!

Absolutely gorgeous

Beautiful but hard hiking. White Sands is better.

Amazing experience hiking on snow covered dunes...

Great place would love to go camping here. The dunes are huge but still dwarfed by the mountains. Only problem was a lack of time to explore more indepth.

It was cold but the beauty of the place is worth going to.

Very Awesome

Absolutely a blast. This park is so much fun! Absolutely stunning views of both the mountains and the dunes. We did not take the time to hike the highest peaks of the dunes however I can only imagine the views are even better from up there. Do not expect to be alone in this park As there are many visitors daily. Very family friendly environment especially in the lower part of the sand dunes where the sand surfing primarily takes place. From the parking lot it is about a 1520 minute walk just to the beginning of the dunes. At that point you Choose how far you want to go in to the dunes as there are endless choices and opportunities for different vantage points and hiking level abilities. You may want to consider a soft type of shoe as you were literally hiking in ankle deep sand and rocks the entire time.

Hike early morning or hike late but never in the hot afternoon. One of the coolest things I’ve done and worth every step! If you get the chance to go during April - June you’ll be able to see the little water flow they have and it’s amazing!

Unbelievably breath taking. Must check it out looks unreal but it is! 🤩😍😘

This place just keeps going! Absolutely gorgeous and definitely worth spending several hours at. Bring a sled and sunscreen!!!

I love national Parks and I love hiking. Be prepared to be winded! It's a long way to the top and sand is not fun. Definitely worth a beautiful view, take a sled with you.

Great place to visit, make sure you call the park before visiting. The sand dunes were covered by snow

Good place to visit. But make sure you check out this place early if you are travelling a distant place. As we faced snow wind.

What a beautiful and surreal place to be.

Great place to visit! Good work out and so relaxing!

Sand dunes in the middle of mountains and snow, it's amazing!! $25 per car load to get in.

This was the first time I’ve been to a sand dune. We just went to the sand dunes. I wasn’t able to go off-roading, nor did I go to customer service center. I only have two bad things to say. The public latrine, no good and people really need to pick up after there pets. Seriously, come on people Will definitely go back before I leave Colorado... hopefully

This place was awesome. Pretty intense hike to the top of the sand mounds.

Super fun.

We could only stop for a few minutes but it was great! Driving through and stopped just before dark. Liked it alot!

Beautiful place to sight see and hike plus was seeing herd of elk.

Amazing place

Amazing place

Went out of our way to visit this park and were glad we did. The Dunes are huge and there's plenty of trails and picnic areas to use. It can get crowded quick so get there early if you're just seeing the Dunes for the day. Definitely neat and worth the time to see this N.P. in my opinion.

Very cold and breezy currently. Only the dunes are open, the road to the creeks are closed due to snow.

This place was beautiful! The parking lot seems small, but we went to watch the sunset so there was plenty of spots. My boyfriend and I went to the top and enjoyed the sunset along with a few other individuals who were around but not too close.

Totally awesome place! Defanitly recommend have a buff and sunglasses. Also look into renting a sandboard or sled to use on the dunes

Fifth visit to this National Park, first since 2008, still well worth the trip. An amazing site when you first see the tallest sand dunes in North America. Cross Medano Creek and walk up the dunes to get the best experience. Hiked about halfway up to get an amazing view. Recommend footwear you are not afraid to get wet for crossing the creek. The geology of how the dunes were formed is a can't miss in the Visitor Center.

It's so amazing, I came when sunset and I catch a moment that make I fell happy

Loved it

Support your National Parks

Was surprised to see sand accumulated as in deserts near the mountains! Really the nature is something unpredictable! I would say this is among One time most visit places in Colorado!

Amazing!!