Alert: All Sand Sled Rentals Outside the National Park: The National Park Service does not rent equipment. Specially designed sandboards and sand sleds may be rented at businesses in the San Luis Valley. In winter months, the closest rentals are at least 23 miles away from the dunes.
National Park & Preserve
Great Sand Dunes
The view at the park entrance contrasts giant dunes and snow-capped mountains. NPS/Patrick Myers
Overview
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!
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
Map
Things To Do
Category
6 Results
Explore the Dunes
Free
Description
Explore the tallest dunes in North America! The centerpiece of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is the 30-square-mile (78-square-km) dunefield, featuring the tallest dunes in North America. Because there are no trails, you can venture out anywhere you'd like to discover unusual insects, plants, wildlife tracks, ripples, and sand grains of every color.
Sandboarding and sand sledding are the most popular activities on the dunes. Read the information on this page to have a positive, fun, and safe experience.
Sand sled and sandboard rentals average about $20 per sled per day. These are rented at retailers outside the national park. Each retailer has different prices, policies, and logistics for sled rentals.
Pet FriendlyAges:2-75Time:2-8 Hours
Splash in Medano Creek
Free
Description
Medano Creek is a popular seasonal stream enjoyed by all ages.
Just above the dunefield are montane woodlands of pinon and ponderosa pine, subalpine aspen and conifer forests, alpine lakes and rugged mountains over 13,000 feet (4,000 m) in elevation. The easiest access to forest in the national park is on the Montville Nature Trail and Mosca Pass Trail.
Half the park is after dark! Night at Great Sand Dunes can include dunes exploration under a bright full moon, viewing thousands of stars on a clear moonless night, listening for owls along the foothills, or observing migrating amphibians on a wet night.
Take your 4WD vehicle around the dunes and up to Medano Pass, hike to a small alpine lake, then continue to the summit of 13,297 ft (4,053 m) Mount Herard for an aerial perspective on the entire dunefield! This is a physically demanding but incredibly rewarding way to experience many of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve's ecoystems, from desert dunes to alpine tundra. Watch the high-energy 40-second video to get a glimpse of this unique experience!
Grasslands, large dunes, and snow-capped peaks at sunsetGirls Sand SleddingElk, Grasslands, Dunes, and Sangre de Cristo MountainsLower Sand Creek Lake, Great Sand Dunes National PreserveUpper Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National PreserveFall Colors Along Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National ParkGold cottonwood trees, large dunes, a silver cloud, and snow-capped mountainA teen girl sits on a floatation device
