great-sand-dunes | CO | Find park

Grasslands, large dunes, and snow-capped peaks at sunset

The view at the park entrance contrasts giant dunes and snow-capped mountains.

Rent specially designed sand sleds to slide on the dry sand. Note: cardboard, snow sleds, saucers, and other items don't slide on dry sand.

Elk, Grasslands, Dunes, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Elk are sometimes seen by visitors along the park entrance road or County Lane 6, primarily fall through spring.

Lower Sand Creek Lake, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Spectacular alpine lakes are part of the backcountry of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Upper Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Sand Creek Basin, part of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, contains lush forests and alpine lakes.

Fall Colors Along Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park

Fall is a pretty time to visit the park, with great colors and generally nice weather.

Gold cottonwood trees, large dunes, a silver cloud, and snow-capped mountain

Experiencing Great Sand Dunes in the quieter seasons of fall and winter can be a rewarding experience.

Visitors can float Medano Creek's waves during late spring peak flow, in years of good snowpack

Physical Address:

Visitor Center

11999 State Highway 150

Mosca, CO 81146

Mailing Address:

Visitor Center

11999 State Highway 150

Mosca, CO 81146

contact-details

Phone Number: (719) 378-6395 Voice
Phone Number: 719-378-6310 Fax

Email Address: grsa_interpretation@nps.gov
Description: Email a ranger to get your questions answered.

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle: $25.00

Fees are charged only when the entrance station is open in the spring, summer, and fall seasons or when the visitor center is open in the winter season. Fees can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. Passes may also be purchased in advance online through recreation.gov .

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: $15.00

15+ passenger vehicle, age 16+

Entrance - Motorcycle: $20.00

Motorcycle and riders Valid up to 7 days

Commercial Entrance - Sedan: $25.00

This fee is for a commercial group of 1-6 people in a smaller vehicle. Valid for 7 days.

Commercial Entrance - Van: $40.00

This fee is for a commercial group of 7-15 persons in a van. Valid for 7 days.

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus: $40.00

This fee is for a commercial group of 16-25 persons in a mini-bus. Valid for 7 days.

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach: $100.00

This fee is for a commercial motor coach with 26+ capacity. Valid for 7 days.

Entrance - Per Person: $15.00

Entrance Fee for Bicycles or Walk-In Visitors

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park: $45.00

If you visit Great Sand Dunes more than once in a year, consider purchasing an annual pass to save money. The Great Sand Dunes Annual Pass admits the pass holder(s) and all family members in the vehicle into the park for one year from date of purchase.

Open 24/7 year round! There are no timed entries or reservations to visit. The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless night to experience countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park!

park designation:National Park & Preserve

Directions:

To access the main park area, including the Dunes Parking Lot, Visitor Center, and Pinon Flats Campground, take US 160 to CO 150 from the south, or CO 17 to Lane 6 to CO 150 from the west. The national park is at the north end of CO 150.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

The park and preserve are open 24/7 all year

Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center

While the park is open 24 hours, the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center is open daily except for the following Holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day. Be sure to check Alerts and Conditions for any emergent closures due to weather or other circumstances

Exceptions:

Visitor Center CLOSED Thanksgiving Day (November 28, 2024 - November 28, 2024)

Visitor Center CLOSED Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

Visitor Center CLOSED New Years Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Great Sand Dunes Peak Season Visitor Center Hours (May 26, 2025 - September 1, 2025)

Weather Information:

Temperatures are relatively cool all year at the park elevation 8000 ft. Conditions are most often calm, but winds can arise, especially in spring and during storm fronts. Daytime temperatures feel warmer here year round due to intense high-altitude sunlight, and mid-day summer sand surface temps can be 160 degrees F! Plan to explore the dunes morning or evening during summer. Nights are cool in summer, and frigid in winter. Visit https://nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/weather.htm for details