Copyright: Jamiebea Hall-Interactive Outdoors, Inc. Pinyon Flats Family Campground - Loop 2 - 10.98

Single campsites are available by self-registration and during the summer, the 88 sites generally fill up by noon on Friday for the weekend and by early evening during the rest of the week.

Two wheelchair accessible drive-in sites are available at Piñon Flats Campground. The site in Loop One is reserved until 6 p.m. nightly, and the site in Loop Two is reserved full-time. Both campsites have tables, a fire grate, parking and accessible restrooms nearby.

Back country camping allows you to explore remote areas of the Monument. The Monument has eight backpacking backcountry sites, with hiking distances ranging from .6 miles to 10.5 miles. Backpackers may also spend the night on the Main Dune Mass. A free backcountry permit must be obtained from the Visitor Center if you are camping in the Monument or if leaving a vehicle in the Monument overnight. Backpackers can also camp in the Rio Grande National Forest (Medano Pass, Mosca Pass or Blanca Peak Trail).

Firewood gathering is not allowed in the Monument, but wood may be purchased from the campground vendor or The Oasis in the summer; from October to May, wood may be purchased from the Visitor Center.

Horseback riding is permitted in the Monument, but riding is not permitted in the main public use area (off the dunes parking lot). Medano Pass Primitive Road is a pleasant place to ride. Vehicles and trailers must be parked at the amphitheater parking lot. Please clean up after your horses in the parking lot. If camping in the adjacent National Forest and leaving a vehicle in the Monument, a free backcountry permit is required which is available in the Visitor Center.

Directions from Visitor Center: The entrance to Pinyon Flats Campground is just under 1 mile from the Visitor Center and is located to the right of the Dunes.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Services Available: Year-round (NOTE: Visitor Center open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Summer months; varying hours in the Winter.) .

Gas (available in summer months): The Oasis (Private-profit) Directions: Located at the Monument's south boundary

Restaurant (open April-October): The Oasis (Private-profit) Directions: Located at the Monument's south boundary

Basic: Campground concessionaire (Private-profit) Directions: In Pinyon Flats Campground during summer months

Castle Creek Trail - At Castle Creek, the dunes rise abruptly from the creekbed. Dune slipfaces avalanche as they near angles greater than 34 degrees. Steep slipfaces are challenging to climb; stay on the ridges and slide down the faces.

Dunes Overlook - The Dunes Overlook is a short side trail off Little Medano Creek Trail. It is about 1/2 mile in length and gives visitors a magnificent view of the Main Dune Mass.

Great Sand Dunes National Monument Visitor Center - Before venturing out to the dunes, stop by the Visitor Center. Here you can pick up information on the dunes and other park features. The center is opened daily, except on federal holidays in the winter.

Little Medano Creek Trail - Meander through a variety of terrain when you head north from the campground. Travel through escape dunes until the trail crosses Medano Creek. The trail ends at an overlook just beyond Little Medano Creek.

Medano Pass Primitive Road - The Medano Pass Primitive Road is a four-wheel drive road that begins in the park and goes north to Medano Pass and the Rio Grande National Forest.

Pinyon Flats Group Site - Some group sites are available in Piñon Flats Campground. It is extremely popular and reservations are required. Since these sites are in such high demand, call the Visitor Center any time after January 2nd.

Pinyon Flats Trail - This trail connects the main Dunes Parking Area with Piñon Flats Campground.

Wellington Ditch Trail - This one mile trail can be accessed from Loop 3 of the Piñon Flats Campground if you park in the Amphitheater parking area. You can also park in the Montville parking area and start from Mosca Pass Trail.