Great Sand Dunes Sandboarding Excursion

Great Sand Dunes National Park is possibly the most remote national park I've visited.  Our party of three drove several hours through nothingness to reach the gates and was shocked by what we found.  Mountainous skyline, literal tumbleweeds, boarded up buildings, a handful of gas stations, and metaphysical gift shops dot the local landscape.  But once we turned toward the mountains and they got taller and taller, we found ourselves at what looks like a giant sand pit, with no borders.  You can't tell there are dunes from a distance, but all of the sudden they appear! The park is pretty small compared to others, but that's simply due to the dunes not stretching on forever and ever.  Based on Google Images I viewed before visiting, I was expecting it to feel like we were in the middle of a dessert.  But while standing on top of High Dune, the tallest dune in North America, I could see plenty of mountains and even green grass not terribly far from where I stood.  Definitely a unique perspective. We visited in mid-June 2026 and didn't experience unbearable heat, a nice surprise.  We arrived at 2pm, walked through the visitor center, and decided to hike at Zapata Falls instead of on the dunes because the sand temperatures get much hotter than the regular temperature.  We stargazed that same evening, after enjoying dinner at Great Sand Dunes Lodge (the only restaurant for many miles).  The national park is an international dark sky park, and the views do not disappoint- though I was surprised by the amount of "city" lights we could see from the base of High Dune.  I'm sure I haven't had better night-sky viewing conditions in all my life.  We got lucky with clear skies.  Great Sand Dunes National Park is noted as the quietest of all American national parks and it definitely felt that way at night with no one else around.  Such a unique experience.  The only other place that sounded similarly to me is Death Valley National Park and an anechoic chamber. I hiked the dunes the next morning beginning at 8:30am to beat the heat.  The sand was hot on my sandaled feet by the time I came down from the dune, about 10:30am, but I was quite comfortable at the beginning.  I rented a sand sled from Great Sand Dunes Oasis board rental for $20 and definitely recommend!  How many chances do you get to sled down a dune?  Take the chance when you do.  And if you do, heed Michelle's (from the board rental shop) words and don't hold onto the handles when you descend.  I wiped out and got covered in sand.  Side note- I'm not sure what hours rangers typically tend the gate, but there was no one there when I entered the park a bit before 8:30am and I avoided the park entrance fee, that was pretty sweet! There's a water rinse-off station between the dunes and the parking lot, just like at a public beach.  Road signs were helpful, visitor center clean, and rangers friendly and helpful- all markers of a well-operating national park.  Don't miss out on this one.

We only had a few hours here on our way home, so hiked to the top of the first row of dunes. I really enjoyed seeing the different textures and types of sand dunes! We did not try sledding, and there was no water in the river. This is definitely worth a stop, but probably not something you need to spend all day at unless you are hiking to the top of the dunes.

The park is worth the visit. The Welcome Center is a great place to start the visit. Bring water, snacks, a hat and sunscreen. To visit the dunes simply follow the signs in the road. To get into the dunes be prepared to hit, hard effort (if climbing it). I would not recommend taking the dog or small kids for a hike during summer. The sand can reach 140F. I recommend staying here at least 2h for a short visit.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is an absolutely gorgeous example of Mother Nature at her finest. The views are stunning in every direction, and it is one of those places that makes you stop, look around, and just take it all in. That being said, walking and hiking in sand is very different than what you might expect. I am from Minnesota, and our hikes are definitely not like this. The dunes are beautiful, but they are also a workout. Going up takes effort, and if you get winded easily, it is worth knowing that there really are not benches or easy places to stop and rest once you are out on the sand. Coming down is much easier than going up, and honestly, a lot more fun. Barefoot is definitely an option depending on the temperature of the sand. I wore long socks under pants with hiking shoes and did pretty well, but regular shoes are absolutely going to end up filled with sand. There is really no way around it. The sand will find you. It is committed. Even with the challenge of hiking through the dunes, I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to experience pure natural beauty. It is peaceful, unique, and absolutely worth seeing in person. Whether you hike far or just spend time taking in the view, Great Sand Dunes is a place that feels special.

At 67, I have spent more of my life outdoors than inside & have traveled most of the US and halfway around the globe, having adventured/explored many spellbinding natural wonders. The very unique/different Great Sand Dunes are definitely one of (if not the top) 7 Wonders of Colorado & not all that far off from the 7 Wonders Of The World, several of which I've been to! The ONLY reason I have said anything about my own lifelong nature boy/little-boy-wonder experiences is just to illustrate how IMPRESSIVE these dunes really are!!! If you're from out of state & planning a Colorado vacation, it's a can't miss opportunity! WARNING: DO NOT go out onto the sand dunes in the blazing summer heat or barefoot! Your feet will thank you immensely, or ignore my learned-the-hard-way advice at your own peril & learn for yourself when the bottom of your feet are schorched & screaming bloody murder at you! 🥵 COUPLE INSIDE TIPS: 1.) The absolute best time of the year to visit the sand dunes is in mid to late May (or right after a storm) while Medano Creek is still running, making for a shallow, safe waterpark in the sand at the base of the dunes for the kids! Trust me, the water adds a lot to the experience. Better make reservations early though, a lot of CO locals are already well-savy to this & flock there to camp with the family, climb the dunes & play in the water to cool off. 2.) If you're gonna camp & stay overnite, try to plan it on a full moon. The dunes morph into a completely otherworldly, surprisingly bright & quiet night scene & experience underneath the full-moonlight!