Nestled up against the Range del Christo range on the eastern edge of San Luis valley is the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The area was initially declared a national monument in 1932 at the request of local residents who wanted to protect the dunes from gold miners. The dunes were given an upgrade to National Park status in 2004 protecting 167 square miles of land and the adjacent preserve protecting an additional 65 square miles of terrain.
The park contains the tallest and widest sand dunes in North America. The tallest of the dunes rises 750 feet from valley floor and the dunes cover an area of 30 square miles. The sand is an accumulation from the San Luis Valley that has been blown by the wind until it was deposited at the foot of the mountains. While the prevailing winds have filled the area in with sand it is the occasional storm driven winds that come from the opposite direction and build the dunes up to their impressive heights. The dune system remains fairly stable over time due these opposing winds balancing each other out.
Jewel of the San Luis Valley
The Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in the high desert of the San Luis Valley at an elevation of almost 8000 feet. While the daytime temperature in the warmer months may get very warm the high altitude guaranties a chilly night any time of year. The dry climate and distance from any major city also makes for spectacular stargazing on those chilly nights. The park has been cited by the International Dark Sky Association for its prime location free from light pollution and for nighttime viewing of the stars.
The nearest town with major services is Alamosa which serves as a hub for much of the San Luis Valley. There are hotels and grocery stores to keep you sheltered and fed in Alamosa while the park is about 30 miles away. Closer to the Sand Dunes is the unique town of Crestone. In the 1970’s a local landowner offered free plots of land to religious groups who wanted to build on it. The diverse range of spiritual and religious tradition make for a interesting atmosphere located not far from the Sand Dunes National Park.
Medano Creek flows from out of the Sangre Del Christo mountains through the National Park. The creek meanders through the sand and without a set route and occasionally disappears under the sand only to reappear further downstream. Visitors must walk across the creek to reach the dunes in the spring and summer. The creek is only a few inches deep if there is any water at all.
Hiking, Riding and Off-Road Adventures in the Sand Dunes
Popular hiking locations in the park include the 7 mile roundtrip hike to Mosca Pass, the Sand Creek trail and the trail to Medano Lake as well as trails that lead to the nearby high peaks. Most of the park is open to horseback riding as well with a few prohibited areas such as the campground and the High Dune which is for pedestrian use only.
Besides hiking the popularity of skiing or sandboarding on the dunes is a fun activity for thrill seekers. Sandboards and sand sleds can be rented just outside the park entrance or in Alamosa. Sliding across the sand is much slower than snow and requires a steeper slope and and application of floor wax for the best glide.It is probably not the place to try out your brand new gear due to the abrasive nature of the sand.
The park also has a 4×4 road that goes from the end of the park road to Medano Pass. The road is only recommended for high clearance vehicles due to the creek crossings and deep sand. Bicycles and motorcycles are also allowed on the road but fat tires are necessary for bikes because of the soft deep sand.
Camping on the Sand Dunes
Camping in the park includes the Pinon Flats campground run by the National Park Service, a series of campsites along the Medano Pass Road and the possibility for backcountry camping out on the dunes once you have obtained the required permit. Anyone backpacking into a remote location will have to carry their own water with them as well as their camping gear, the amount of sand that you bring home with you is up to you.
The park is open year round and the dry climate leaves the dunes free from snow most winters. The best time of year to visit is in the spring, the months of April and May have mild temperatures and runoff from the mountains to fill the creeks. The large temperature swings in the summer months can produce sweltering highs during the daytime only for it to cool off to near freezing at night. Windy conditions may make hiking on the dunes somewhat unpleasant with the possibility of being sandblasted but the San Luis Valley is one of the driest places in Colorado and rainstorm are infrequent.
A trip to the Great Sand Dunes is a memorable experience. No one goes away unimpressed by the surreal vision of the gigantic dunes. While some people may want to challenge themselves by sliding down the steep sandy dunes or exploring the mountains above the park everyone will be challenged to capture the splendor of the park in photographs. The reality of the huge sandy terrain framed against the clear blue sky is hard to truly capture in a photograph. You should be ready to take a lot of picture to bring home with you and probably bring home some sand in your shoes too.
