Rate Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Park & Preserve
Operating Hours & Seasons
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Always open 24/7 all year
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $15.00 – Non-Commercial Vehicle and Occupants
Passenger vehicle with all occupants; fee valid for 7 days. - $7.00 – Oversized Vehicle, 15+ passengers, age 16+
Per passenger, 16 years and older in oversized vehicle, including 15 passenger vans, small buses, etc. Valid for 7 days. Passengers under 16 are free. - $10.00 – Motorcycle and Riders
One motorcycle and all its riders; valid for 7 days.
Entrance Passes:
- $30.00 – Great Sand Dunes Annual Family Pass
Covers one family’s entrance for 12 months from time of purchase. Valid for two adults with signatures plus others in vehicle.
About
Dunes Among Diversity
The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Experience this diversity through hiking, sand sledding, splashing in Medano Creek, wildlife watching, and more! The park and preserve are open 24 hours a day, so plan to also experience night skies and nocturnal wildlife during your visit.
Directions
To access the main park area, including the Dunes Parking Lot, Visitor Center, and Pinyon Flats Campground, take US 160 to CO 150 from the south, or CO 17 to Lane 6 to CO 150 from the west. The national park is at the north end of CO 150.
Visitor Centers
Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is open 8:30-5:00 Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, and 9:00-4:30 the rest of the year. It features: -20-minute movie about the park – Interactive exhibits for all ages – Park store – Exhibit area of fine art paintings and photography – First Aid Room – Back porch with viewing scope – Restrooms and drinking water – Simple snacks – Firewood for sale (when campground concessioner is not open) – Rangers to answer questions and help you plan your visit
Weather
Temperatures are relatively cool all year, thanks to the park and preserve’s high elevation. Conditions are most often calm, but winds can arise, especially in spring and during storm fronts. Daytime temperatures feel warmer here year round due to intense high-altitude sunlight, and a scorching mid-day summer sand surface. Plan to explore the dunes morning or evening during summer. Nights are cool in summer, and frigid in winter. Visit the Great Sand Dunes website for the most accurate weather forecasts.
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