Point of No Return Parking Area

Copyright: Jamiebea Hall-Interactive Outdoors, Inc. Point of No Return Parking Area - 10.98

This is a turnaround area and small parking area, aptly named Point of No Return. It is provided for two-wheel drive, wide and/or long vehicles. It is important to heed the implied warning of Point of no Return; losing a vehicle is no fun.

From here, one may walk the short distance to Sand Pit Picnic Area or continue another 1/2 mile or so to Castle Creek Picnic Area. Medano Pass Trail makes a nice hike as well. The trail continues north as it parallels Medano Pass Primitive Road.

Directions from Visitor Center: Travel north from the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center. At the entrance to Pinyon Flats Campground the four-wheel drive road continues north. Follow this for about 1 mile to the parking area.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: Memorial Day Weekend through Mid-October .

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.

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.

Sand Pit Picnic Ground - This is a nice place to come for a picnic, whether you drive your car to The Point of No Return and walk a half mile or walk from the campground.

Sawmill Canyon Campground - For a unique backcountry experience, Sawmill Canyon Campsite offers excellent scenery and solitude. Less then 1 mile north on Medano Pass Road, the two car parking area can accommodate up to four wheelchairs.