Are you planning the perfect day at Great Sand Dunes National Park? You are in the right place.
This little-known park in southern Colorado is a true hidden gem and offers a completely different experience than a regular national park visit.
Consider wide open sand dunes and opportunities to slew sand instead of snow 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The fantastic dunes may be off the beaten path, but it’s a quick overnight trip from Santa Fe, Colorado Ski Town, or the Black Canyon of Gunnison.
If the time is short, we’ll show you exactly how to hurry up and display highlights on this day itinerary.
To see a little more about what the experience was like Check out this Instagram reel Posted on a sled video.
A day itinerary for Great Sand Dunes National Park
We visited some amazing sand dunes as part of a massive road trip through the four corner states.
We drove from the Santa Fe area and stopped by Taos along the way.
We also chose a driving route that allowed us to cross the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. The second-highest highway bridge in the United States And it is the fifth tallest bridge in the country.
This all took about four hours so we didn’t arrive in the area until around noon, but it’s plenty of time to enjoy the park.
Sandread rental
The most important thing to do before arriving at Great Sand Dunes National Park is to ensure you have thread rentals specifically designed for the dunes.
Sleds and snowboards only work when the sand is very wet, but you should not bring snow equipment as they are usually never wet.
Cardboard and saucers are also just digging sand, so don’t plan on bringing them either.
The closest places to get these rentals are: Oasis Storeonly 4 miles from Great Sand Dunes.
Currently, renting a sand sled is around $20 a day.
I used it Dune recreation For rentals for the same price.
We just got one sand sled to share between the two of us.
Sand Dunes
The walk from the main “Great Sand Dunes Parking Lot” to the dunes is approximately 0.7 miles.
If you want to go all the way to the tallest dunes, the tallest dunes in North America, then it’s about a 1.25-mile walk.
It treks through the very exhausting sand so bring plenty of water and prepare for physical exercise.
Tips you should know before planning your trip:
- The sand needs to be hot for the sled to work, so in spring and autumn, go in the middle of the day or wait for a warm day
- If you’re going in the summer, go early or in the evening as the sand is too hot in the middle of the day (e.g. 150 degrees)
- Also, there is another reason to avoid that time, as afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer.
- It’s very windy in the afternoon in spring, so try to go more around noon
Other than that, it’s very easy to visit the amazing dunes.
If you want to secure rental, park in the main lot and then walk towards the dunes, you will be set all.
If necessary, this could be your full experience. Or there are a few things you can see more of the park to add to your itinerary.
Medano Creek
This is a seasonal activity that you can only really enjoy if you are visiting in late May when it’s snowing.
There are small windows for weeks when this stream bed is not dry and you can enjoy it just like any other beach.
Many people take the tube inside and float.
Provided by the National Park Service Latest news If you can expect to visit Medano Creek every year, see them when you are planning a trip.
Montville Nature Trail
This is a shaded forest trail and the most accessible hiking trail in the park.
It is directly accessible from the visitor centre, which also has parking.
This is a short 0.5 mile loop trail of less than 30 minutes.
In the summer, chilling and leaving the sun a little is a great option.
Starry sky
To make the most of your day here, enjoy planning a trip during the new moon when the moon is most invisible and starry sky.
It must be a sunny night so you can actually see the stars.
Great Sand Dunes offers the best views of the galaxy at the designated dark sky park.
Where to eat
There is one restaurant at the main entrance. Oasis Restaurants and ShopsIt is open seasonally for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
They are normally open from around May to September.
Most dishes are under $20, but there are a few in the $20-$30 range.
There are no other restaurants within 20-30 miles of the park radius!
Nearby towns of Mosca, Blanca, Hooper, Fort Garland and Alamosa each have 1-2 restaurant options.
It is recommended to eat before you arrive at the park. It is recommended to bring a picnic lunch or drink or snack and hug you until the evening is over.
I like to make sandwiches, tuna cracker kits, and bring protein bars when I spend the day in the national park.
Also, lots of water is a must!
When we visited, we were driving from Taos, so we ate before we got there, and we drove to Pueblo, Colorado and had dinner at Tea Palace (Chinese restaurant), so we weren’t there long enough to eat locally.
Where to stay
Dune recreation This is a natural hot spring resort that offers cabins, RV sites and tent sites.
If you are staying here you can rent a sand sled from here without having to make an extra stop somewhere. This is very convenient.
From here, we rented a sleigh!
However, the highlight of this resort is the greenhouse.
Includes four pools (range 98-111 degrees), dry sauna, indoor and outdoor patio space, a bar with beer and wine, and a small plate menu for crowds over 21 years old.
The main pool also has a full restaurant accessible to all ages.
Details of our favourite national park to the west
There are several national parks that you can visit in nearby areas.
All of these are within the states of four corner states: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.
Arizona
How to see Grand Canyon Sunrise on South Rim
One day itinerary in the stoneformed forest national park
12 Things You Should Do in Sagaro National Park in a Day
New Mexico
Guadalupe Mountain and Carlsbad Caves National Park Weekend Vacation Itinerary
Yuta
Arch and Canyonlands National Park
One day itinerary between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park
Hiking Narrows in Sion National Park: the Ultimate Guide
Best Zion National Park Winter Itinerary
Best Zion National Park Summer Itinerary
Conclusion: One day itinerary at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park is definitely the easiest to navigate as everything is there at the entrance.
It’s quite far from civilization, so definitely plan ahead for your food and drinks, and your sand sleigh rental.
The most important thing to consider is the weather.
Make sure to visit when the sand is warm enough for the sled. But don’t let it get too hot enough to burn when the sand touches it.
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