It’s easy to think of large parks like Yellowstone or Rocky Mountain National Park when you think about the different national parks in our country. And it’s easy to think exploring them needs to be a long, costly trip. However, a smaller hidden gem is not too far away.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is only about 3.5 hours from the Denver area near the city of Alamosa. Being so close, and Great Sand Dunes NP being a relatively small area, this is a wonderful option for a long weekend getaway that doesn’t need to use all your vacation time or break the bank. Added bonus – this national park does not require reservations or timed entry (except for backcountry and campgrounds).
In and Around Alamosa
First off will be deciding how long you’ll be visiting. If you’ll be there for more than a day trip, of course you’ll need to decide where you plan to stay. The nearest town where most people stay is Alamosa, about 40 minutes from the national park. Alamosa has several hotel and small inn options, but of course camping is always an option, too. If you think you’d like to camp so you can stay closer to the dunes, this website has a lot of helpful information on permits, conditions, your campsite options, and even if the campsite you’re considering needs a 4×4 vehicle.
Alamosa itself is a small town but has a lot of charm. It has your typical grocery store, Wal-Mart and the like in case you forgot anything or want to buy groceries for camping, but it also has many unique offerings as well. Main Street is the main drag through town and is lined with shops and original restaurants.
The Purple Pig Pizzeria & Pub is a great family-friendly option with delicious wood-fired pizzas. Their menu is diverse on the off chance you cannot all agree on what sounds good for dinner (not that that ever happens).
San Luis Valley Brewing Company is another family-friendly option with good food. A bit pricier than the Purple Pig (but that is somewhat common in vacation destinations) this stop has a wide variety of burgers, sandwiches and more.
Visiting Great Sand Dunes
Of course, the main reason you are in the area is to see Great Sand Dunes National Park. But you might be surprised to find out how much there is to do at and near the dunes. If you are more pressed for time, this site has suggestions for how to spend your time – whether you have 2-3 hours, 3-5 hours or more. It is a great resource for prioritizing the options.
Something to keep in mind is your pets – the sand can get incredibly hot and could be hazardous to your pet’s paws. This page is a great guide that will help you keep your pet safe and know where your pet is and is not allowed.
Depending on the time of year you are visiting, you might be lucky enough to have a creek to play in to beat the heat! Late May and early June are very popular times to visit the national park because the past winter’s snowmelt creates a refreshing creek running between the parking lot and the dunes. However, years with little snowpack will lead to little snowmelt and the creek is smaller to nonexistent. This page of the national park’s website is full of information on current conditions of the water level, suggestions and what to expect. If the creek is flowing at the time of your visit, pack chairs, water shoes, floaties – you name it – and enjoy cooling down in this great feature of the park.
Sandboarding and Sand-sledding
Playing on the dunes with specially designed sleds and boards is one of the most popular activities in the national park. These specific boards have a special finish on the bottoms and waxing them with the provided wax allows them to glide over the sand like you’re on snow. It might not always be as easy as it looks, though. There is a bit of a learning curve, but if you can keep your sense of humor and be patient, you will eventually get the hang of it and have a lot of fun! This page has helpful information and a long list of vendors who rent the sleds from many different towns in the area.
Mom Tip: Have everyone wear a gaiter around their neck. Being able to pull it up over your nose and mouth will be crucial in keeping this activity fun instead of getting a mouthful of sand!
Hiking
Being set against the backdrop of a mountain range is one of the things that makes the national park so breathtaking. This also means there are several great hiking options, including a popular waterfall. There are several hiking trails within the dunes themselves to see the dunes from different vantage points, but there is also great hiking in the mountains.
When you first arrive at the dunes, it can seem intimidating to know where to begin. Hiking on the sand can be tricky but this website is a great guide to proper footwear, summer safety and all the possible trails you could take (including a map) to see the dunes from a variety of view points. This is a must read before you begin.
Zapata Falls is not technically in the national park but is very close by and makes an easy addition to your visit. Located on Highway 150, the drive to the trailhead gives you a wonderful view of the dunefield and the San Luis Valley and can be a good option for the afternoon when the sand is incredibly hot. Keep in mind rocks will be slippery and water levels in river crossings will be running higher/faster in early summer when winter snowmelt is at its peak. Thunderstorms can also make this hazardous so being aware of the weather and checking trail conditions is always advised.
Great Sand Dunes at Night
One excellent advantage to this national park being so far from a big city is the opportunity to see more stars and planets than you ever see at home. If you have the time in your schedule to be in the national park at night, you won’t regret it.
In fact, because of a unique combination of factors like dry air, elevation and low light pollution, Great Sand Dunes is certified as an International Dark Sky Park. Best viewing of many constellations and the Milky Way is August and September, but the sky is beautiful all year. Experiencing the Night in Great Sand Dunes will be the highlight of the trip for any space lovers or astronomy buffs in your group. This national park page has great tips for realistic expectations, planning for good conditions, and making the most of stargazing before your trip is over.
