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Hiking & Walking: Colorado > Great Sand Dunes National Park

Quick Facts

Little Medano Creek Trail

Beginning Elevation:	8,200 Feet (2556.1 Meters) Pinyon Flats Campground
Difficulty:	Moderate Sandy conditions
Elevation Gain:	400 Feet (124.7 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	8,600 Feet (2680.8 Meters) Overlook beyond Little Medano Creek
Length, One-way:	5.5 Miles (9.17 Kilometers) From Pinyon Flats Campground
USGS Maps:	Zapata Ranch, Liberty

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

Trailhead at Point of No Return Parking Area - 10.98

Meander through a variety of terrain on Little Medano Creek Trail. Heading north from the campground near site number 62 to the Dunes Overlook, it continues north through escape dunes until it crosses Medano Creek. A scenic viewpoint bestows panoramic vistas. Little Medano Creek Trail becomes Sand Creek Trail and ends at an overlook just beyond Little Medano Creek, at the Sand Creek backcountry campsite.

Directions from Pinyon Flats Campground: Head north from the campground near site 62.

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

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Backpacking	Eight backcountry sites in the Monument; free permit from Visitor Center required.	No
	Family Camping	Pinyon Flats Campground	No
	Fishing	Medano Creek; Rio Grande National Forest	No
	Four-Wheel Driving	Medano Pass Primitive Road	No
	Group Picnicking	South Ramada (reservations required) and North Ramada	No
	Group Camping	Pinyon Flats Campground	No
	Hiking & Walking	Numerous other trails in the area as well	Yes
	Horseback Riding	Park at Amphitheater, Montville or Point of No Return; stay out of main public use areas	Yes
	Animal Identification	Look for tracks in the sand, especially in early morning.	Yes
	Firewood Gathering	Not permitted in the Monument; purchase from concessionaire in summer and from Visitor Center in winter.	No
	Lodging	Alamosa, Monte Vista and Ft. Garland	No
	Mountain Biking	Only on Medano Pass Primitive Road; some difficult sandy stretches	No
	Mountain Climbing	Blanca Peak, Little Bear and the Crestones	No
	ATV Riding	Only on Medano Pass Primitive Road, if vehicle and driver are licensed.	No
	Motorcycle Riding	Only on Medano Pass Primitive Road, if vehicle and driver are licensed.	No
	General Information	Visitor Center	No
	Picnicking	Next to Dunes Parking Area, Sand Pit and Castle Creek sites	No
	Downhill Skiing	Trying skiing the dunes, even in summer.	No
	Attending Talks & Programs	Summer programs at amphitheater; programs in Visitor Center year-round	No
	Viewing Interpretive Signs	Picture Point Trail, Montville Nature Trail	No
	Guided Touring	Concessionaire conducts tours on Medano Pass Primitive Road in the summer.	No

Related Activities

Amphitheater and Parking Area - The amphitheater is on the right, just before Piñon Flats Campground. Nightly campfire programs are offered from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A wheelchair platform is located in the center of the seating area.

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.

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 Campground - Piñon Flats Campground is open all year on a first-come, first serve basis. Each site has a picnic table and fire grate. Facilities include water fountains and spigots as well as restrooms with sinks and toilets.

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.