wildernet

Group Sites: Colorado > Great Sand Dunes National Park

Quick Facts

Main Dunes Parking Area

Elevation:	8,000 Feet (2493.8 Meters)
USGS Maps:	Zapata Ranch, Liberty

General Description

This is the main parking area for the Great Sand Dunes and it is located only a few yards from the dunes. A picnic area for families and groups is located here and restrooms and water are available.

Vehicles can get extremely hot inside during summer months; please do not leave your pet or child inside a vehicle unattended. Pets left in vehicles without adequate ventilation can succumb to suffocation all too quickly. On an 85 degree day, the temperature inside a car, even with the windows slightly open, will reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes and 130 degrees in 30 minutes. Pets are welcome to join you on the dunes if leashed, but remember that their feet are not immune to the hot sand either.

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.

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 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).

Directions from Visitor Center: From the Visitor Center, follow Highway 150 north for less than 1/2 mile and turn left. Follow this road for about 1/2 mile to the Dunes Parking Area.

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

Add your own trip Report! Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others. This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip report

No trip reports filed to date. Please be the first one to do so!

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Family Camping	Pinyon Flats Campground	No
	Fishing	Medano Creek; Rio Grande National Forest	No
	Four-Wheel Driving	Medano Pass Primitive Road	No
	Group Camping	Pinyon Flats Campground	No
	Group Picnicking	South Ramada (reservations required) and North Ramada	No
	Hiking & Walking	Numerous trails in the area	Yes
	Horseback Riding	Park at Amphitheater, Montville or Point of No Return; stay out of main public use areas	No
	Animal Identification	Look for tracks in the sand, especially in early morning.	No
	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
	Backpacking	Overnight parking permitted; free permit from Visitor Center required.	No
	General Parking	Main Dunes Parking Area	Yes
	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

Nearby Services

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

Related Activities

Dunes Picnic Ground - The picnic area is located right next to the Dunes Parking Area which is at the edge of the dunes. Tables, grills (charcoal fires only please), water and restrooms are provided.

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.

Main Dune Mass Trail - A climb to the top of the tallest dune (not quite 750 feet from the base) takes about one hour. From the top you may gaze upon miles of picturesque topography.

North Ramada Group Picnic Ground - Reservations are not required at this picnic area and the site can between 50-70 people. Busses should park in the main Dunes parking area. Groups can then walk to the site.

Picture Point Trail - The Picture Point Trail is located at the Visitor Center and begins to the north of the building. It is wheelchair accessible and has trailside interpretive exhibits.

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

South Ramada Group Picnic Ground - Reservations are required at this picnic area; they can be made by calling the Visitor Center. The site can between 50-70 people. Busses should park in the main Dunes parking area.