Great Sand Dunes Sandboarding Excursion

The visitor center has a great view of the dunes. The access to the back country campsites is fittingly remote, and the road to get out to the adjoining trail heads is pretty rough, which I appreciated. Definitely don’t try it without a 4x4, and be ready for some tough hiking. But the views are worth it if you’re up for the challenge.

Great Sand Dunes National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park was easily one of the highlights of our Colorado trip. The scenery is incredible and pictures really don’t capture just how massive the dunes are until you’re standing at the bottom of them. We walked out onto the dunes and climbed partway up, which is a workout in itself, but the views are absolutely worth it. What really made the visit for us, though, was taking our Jeep out on the 4x4 trail. It was such a fun way to explore beyond the main park area and definitely added another level to the experience. There’s something pretty wild about seeing enormous sand dunes sitting against a backdrop of Colorado mountains. It almost doesn’t look real. If you have a capable 4x4, I highly recommend exploring the off-road portion in addition to walking the dunes. Give yourself plenty of time here — this is not a place I’d rush through. Beautiful, unique and one of those places that deserves to be experienced in person. Absolutely worth the stop and somewhere we’d visit again.

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.