Great Sand Dunes National Park
The tallest sand dunes in North America, set against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with creek flows, backcountry camping, and dark skies.
- Altitude
- 2,500 m
- Coordinates
- 37.732°, -105.512°
Current Weather
Great Sand Dunes National Park protects the tallest sand dunes in North America, with the main dune field rising nearly 750 feet from the San Luis Valley floor. Medano Creek flows seasonally at the base of the dunes, creating a shallow beach that draws families in late spring and early summer. The dunes are surrounded by alpine tundra, forests, and wetlands, creating one of the most diverse landscapes in the national park system. The park is also an International Dark Sky Park. Sandboarding, sand sledding, hiking into the dunes, and backcountry camping beyond the first ridge are the primary activities. The park is about four hours south of Denver near Alamosa.