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Welcome!

Welcome to the official National Park Service website for Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve!

Check conditions, forecasts, and current information on:

Weather

Medano Creek

Medano Pass Primitive Road

 
Teens Jumping Off a Dune

Dunes

Explore the tallest dunes in North America! Whether hikingsliding, or exploring in a dunes wheelchair, the Great Sand Dunes are a unique wilderness area protected for all to enjoy. Find out how these dunes were created. 
 
Children Splashing in Medano Creek 2009

Creeks and Streams

Water is the lifeblood of the Great Sand Dunes system. Streams begin as tundra snowfields, melting then flowing through alpine lakes, forests, dunes, grasslands, and lush wetlands. Explore the waters of Great Sand Dunes. Check current conditions of Medano Creek and 2010 flow forecast.

 
Upper Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Mountains

Explore the mountain watershed of the Great Sand Dunes. Rugged 13,000' summits, alpine lakes, tundra, and ancient forests are protected in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. With high-clearance 4WD, ascend the Medano Pass Primitive Road.   
 
Bison on Grasslands

Grasslands, Shrublands, and Wetlands

Explore the grasslands, shrublands and wetlands that surround Great Sand Dunes on three sides.
 
Communities Surrounding Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Mosca, CO (37 min. )
Blanca, CO (38 min. ) Pop. 391
Hooper, CO (43 min. ) Pop. 123
Fort Garland, CO (45 min. ) Pop. 432
Alamosa, CO (51 min. ) Pop. 7,960
Center, CO (1 hr.  5 min. ) Pop. 2,392
Moffat, CO (1 hr.  5 min. ) Pop. 114
Homelake, CO (1 hr.  8 min. )
Crestone, CO (1 hr.  24 min. ) Pop. 73
La Veta, CO (1 hr.  28 min. ) Pop. 924
Chama, CO (1 hr.  31 min. )
Gardner, CO (1 hr.  39 min. )
Rye, CO (2 hrs.  11 min. ) Pop. 202
Westcliffe, CO (2 hrs.  18 min. ) Pop. 417