Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
National Preserve · CO
Caution · Creek Crossings 3, 4, and 5 Have Deep Water on the Medano Pass Primitive Rd
The third, fourth, and fifth creek crossings on the 4WD Only Medano Pass Primitive Road have deep water crossings. Motorists are advised to use caution and exercise sound judgement to the capabilities of their vehicle. NOTE: Access remains unaffected for all other paved road destinations such as the visitor center, dunes parking lot, and campground.
More informationCaution · Speed Limits are Much Lower Inside Park than Surrounding Highways
Speed limits for the park include 30 MPH near the park boundary and Great Sand Dunes Sign, and as low as 10 MPH near the Headquarters and Entrance Station. Speed limits are in place to protect park visitors, pedestrians, and wildlife in the park. Please drive carefully and responsibly.
3 noticesfrom the National Park Service
Information · Great Sand Dunes Currently at Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
As of August 18th, Great Sand Dunes is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. All wood and charcoal fires must be in established fire rings in designated campsites or picnic sites. No other open fires are allowed. Fires MUST BE put out COLD before leaving your site and must not be left unattended. camp stoves and other pressurized gas devices allowed.
Information · Piñon Flats Campground, sites can be reserved 3 months in advance for 2026
Due to the need for improvements in Piñon Flats Campground, sites can be reserved 3 months in advance beginning in 2026.
Information · Sand Board and Sand Sled Rentals Not Available In Park.
Sand boarding and sand sled rentals are located in local communities surrounding the park. Visitors are encouraged to arrange rentals BEFORE coming to the park.
More information
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! Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year-round. There are no timed entries or reservations to visit.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/grsa
- Location
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (37.793, -105.592)
Track your visit to Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center
- Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center
Hours
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preservetoday: All Day
- Sat Oct 3All Day
- Sun Oct 4All Day
- Mon Oct 5All Day
- Tue Oct 6All Day
- Wed Oct 7All Day
- Thu Oct 8All Day
- Fri Oct 9All Day
The park and preserve are open 24/7 all year
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
2
- Entrance Stationtoday: All DayDirections
- Great Sand Dunes Visitor Centertoday: 9:00AM - 4:30PMDirections
Entrance fees
5
- Private Vehicle — $25.00
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 .
- Non-commercial Groups — $15.00
15+ passenger vehicle, age 16+
- Motorcycle — $20.00
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
- Per Person — $15.00
Entrance Fee for Bicycles or Walk-In Visitors
- Annual Entrance - Park — $45.00
If you visit Great Sand Dunes more than once in a year, consider purchasing an annual pass to save money. The Great Sand Dunes Annual Pass admits the pass holder(s) and all family members in the vehicle into the park for one year from date of purchase.