Exploring the Wonders of Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado

Last year (2024), I decided to explore the Colorado Plateau and embarked on a 3000-mile solo road trip. This was one of my most memorable trips, filled with moments of solitude with Mother Nature for 8 continuous days without checking into any hotels; I was camping under the stars in my truck. During the last leg of my odyssey I visited the Great Sand Dunes National Park for a few hours. Witnessing the unique natural beauty of this wilderness, I realized that I should have allotted more time to explore this unique National Park.

In 1932, this area was declared a National Monument by President Herbert Hoover. The establishment of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (NP&P) in 2000 authorized the expansion of Great Sand Dunes National Monument into a national park and established Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. A national preserve is a unique National Park Service (NPS) unit that permits certain natural resource extractive activities. Great Sand Dunes National Preserve is one of the 19 national preserves managed by the National Park Service that allows fishing and hunting. This preserve contains the critical watersheds of Medano and Sand Creeks and is part of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.

Since I had no time to visit the park visitor center, I went to the parking lot right by the side of Medano Creek. There were people of all ages playing in the shallow seasonal creek before heading into the dunefield for hiking. The weather was perfect as it was the spring season. Within 15 to 20 minutes, I started hiking the dunes. There are no trails in the dunes, you can wander anywhere you like. Star Dune is one of the two tallest dunes in North America. - with an elevation gain of 741 feet and an average hiking time of 5 hours. I must have hiked about 150 feet just to reach my first vantage point with a good view.

I could witness the dynamic interplay of wind, water, and sand as they continuously rework the dunefield. The strong winds were carrying the sand towards the mountain, and the creeks were bringing the sand back - geology in action in this complex, ever-changing system! This playground can quickly turn wild with a simple turn in the weather. In summer, the sand temperatures can reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Thunderstorms can bring dangerous lightning, high winds, and, on occasion, hail that can cover the dunes. Winter presents the opposite extremes. Deep snows often blanket the dunes, and the temperature falls below zero.

During a wetter time, thousands of years ago, ancient lakes covered much of the valley floor. Streams carried sediments from the San Juan Mountains and Sangre de Cristo Mountains into these lakes. Over a period, a thick layer of sand was deposited at the bottom of these lakes. Through natural climate change, the lakes have largely diminished, leaving a vast sheet of sand on the valley floor. Predominant winds from the southwest funnel sand into a low curve of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Storm winds from the mountains push sand back, forming the tall dunefield. The sand grains are pieces of over 200 types of rocks and minerals originating in the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains and carried here by water and wind.

This park is a certified International Dark Sky Park. Distance from urban areas, dry air, and high elevation enable excellent star viewing on a moonless night. One day, I hope to come back to experience the night sky here.

It appears there is abundant fauna and flora in this preserve area. I was told that in late summer (August), the dunes will be surrounded by a sea of gold - prairie sunflowers. Black bears and mountain lions are active at night, primarily in forested areas. Herds of elk roam across the grasslands around the dunes and Sangre de Cristo mountains. While hunting is not permitted within the National Park, the preserve attracts licensed hunters to the National Preserve during designated seasons.

As it was getting dark, I crossed the creek and got back to the parking lot. The drive to the rest area at the border between Colorado and New Mexico took about three hours. As I was driving, the vivid sunset, the wind and the creek carrying the sands, and the rest of the journey through the amazing Colorado plateau flashed in a montage through my mind. I felt so lucky to experience these beautiful landscapes in the United States of America!

Sand Dunes from a distance, Colorado

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Medano Creek and the Sand Dunes

Map of Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado