Going to Colorado? Consider adding the scenic Great Sand Dunes National Park to your itinerary. Located in southern Colorado you’ll find majestic sand dunes framed by the mountains of the Sangre De Cristo Range towering above them in the distance. This is a photographer’s paradise. Sunup and sundown reveal nature’s artistry as the sunlight cascading over the dunes produce light and shadow of epic proportion.
But the sands dunes are not just for pictures. You can hike the dunes. We made it to the high dune on the first ridge. It’s about a 2 hour round trip. There are actually 5 dunes that are 700 ft. tall. I just made it to the top of the first ridge. Allow more time for other tall dunes. Check nps.gov for other sand dune hikes.
Or try your hand at sandboarding or sand sledding. Cardboard and other devices don’t work so well. Better rent a sand board. There are several locations that rent sandboards nearby.
Kristi Mountain Sports – slvoutdoor.com (40 miles away in Alamosa)
Sand Dunes Recreation – sanddunespools.com (32 miles away in Hooper)
SpinDrift Sand Board Rentals – spindriftsandboards.business.site (25 miles away in Blanco)
Great Sand Dunes Oasis – greatdunes.com (4 miles away)
Bring your swimsuit and beach toys and play in Medano Creek. It’s a shallow ½ mile creek that flows in front of the dunes. There are even waves caused by surge flow. But the water is cold. The creek is fed by melting snow. Consider visiting in late May or early June for peak water flow.
The Great Sand Dunes is a designated International Dark Sky Park. Come see the stars like you have never seen them before. If you plan your trip around the full moon you can hike the dunes after sundown. Hopefully it won’t be overcast.
There are several hikes in the forest nearby to waterfalls and alpine lakes. Try an easy ½ mile hike to Zapata Falls. Check nps.org
Nearby you might consider white water rafting in Salida, Colorado. Check out River Runners Salida (whitewater.net) or Independent Whitewater (independentrafting.com). Just one and one-half hours north of the park.
How about a train ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (cumbrestoltec.com) pulled by a steam powered locomotive? It’s an awe-inspiring excursion crisscrossing the New Mexico and Colorado borders. Pick up a ride in Antonito, Co. Just one hour south of the park.
Lodging may be found close by at the Great Sand Dune Lodge(nps.org), Zapata Ranch(zranch.org), Oasis Camping Cabins(greatdunes.com), and the Oasis Duplex Motel (greatdunes.com). Several campgrounds and hotels are located in Alamosa, Hooper, and other nearby communities approximately 30 miles away. Check the national park website for more info. (nps.gov)
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