Great Sand Dunes

https://www.nps.gov/grsa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Sand_Dunes_National_Park_and_Preserve Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is in southern Colorado. It’s known for huge dunes like the towering Star Dune, and for the seasonal Medano Creek and beach created at the base of the dunes. The backcountry Medano Pass Primitive Road winds through a canyon toward the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Trails lead to forests, wetlands and alpine lakes like Medano Lake, which is home to trout and tundra wildlife. 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! To access the main park area, including the Dunes Parking Lot, Visitor Center, and Pinon 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. Entrance Station Purchase park passes at the Entrance Station, located on the main entrance road. Entrance Station hours are variable depending on the season and day, but are generally open during standard business hours in warmer months. Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center The visitor center offers restrooms, a water fill station, interactive exhibits, and a 20-minute video about the park. Park rangers are available to answer questions and help you plan your time. From CO Highway 160: Between the towns of Alamosa, CO, and Blanca, CO, there will be large brown signs marking the turn off to the park. Turn north on CO State Highway 150. Drive straight (north) for 15 miles to the entrance of the park. From CO Highway 17: Near the town of Mosca, CO, turn onto County Road Lane 6N. At the end of the road, turn left (north) onto CO State Highway 150. This highway will take you into the national park. Backpacking Campsites in the Dunes or Forest The most popular and unique backpacking option is camping in the 30-square-mile dunefield, beyond the major dune ridgeline (about 1.5 mile hike minimum over dunes). Enjoy wide open views of the starry sky or a bright moonlit night. Designated sites are also available in the trees of the foothills, or camping is available in higher forests of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. Reserve national park backpacking permits for the dunes or foothills through recreation.gov Backpacking Permit Fee 6.00 Fee to make a required reservation for a backpacking permit through recreation.gov Backpacking in the Dunes Backpackers walking on eastern side of dunefield Backpacking in the dunes is a unique experience, with open views of the sky. Backpacker in Dunefield Girl with backpack viewing dunes at sunset Backpacking into the dunes is a unique experience, with open views of the sky. Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites Roadside camping is permitted at 21 campsites in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve beginning 5.2 miles from where the road begins near Piñon Flats Campground. These designated sites are free of charge and first-come, first-served. All 21 sites fill on summer weekends. Passable only in the warmer months and only with high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles. This road crosses areas of deep sand, traverses Medano Creek nine times, and passes through excellent habitat for bighorn sheep. Free Camping in Sites along Medano Pass Road 0.00 Campsites are free and first-come, first-served on the Medano Pass Road. 4WD Medano Pass Primitive Road Jeep driving through a creek crossing and aspen trees A full-size SUV, Jeep or truck with 4WD is required to access Medano Pass Primitive Road campsites Truck pulling off into campsite along Medano Pass Primitive Road Dark grey truck beside dirt road with tall pine trees Campsites along the road generally have tall trees for shade. Piñon Flats Campground Piñon Flats is a National Park Service campground located one mile north of the Visitor Center, open April through October. All sites are by reservation on recreation.gov. Individual sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance, and group sites can be reserved up to 1 year in advance. Individual Site, Per Night 20.00 One campsite for one night, tent or RV, picnic table, fire ring and grate, nearby restroom with flush toilets, sinks, and dishwashing basin. Pinon Flats Campground Pinon Flats Campground Pinon Flats Campground Deer in Pinon Flats Campground Deer graze beside tents and RVs in a campground, with dunes and mountains in the background Mule deer graze at the edge of Pinon Flats Campground Deer near a campsite in Pinon Flats Campground Mule deer graze in a campground with small trees and dunes in the background Mule deer sometimes visit Pinon Flats Campground Evening in Pinon Flats Campground A tent and RV in a campground with small trees, with a snow-capped mountain in background Mount Herard stands above Pinon Flats Campground on an early summer evening Sunset over Dunes from Pinon Flats Campground A campsite and tent sit in a scene of grasslands, forest, dunes, and a snow-capped mountain Sites in the lower half of Loop 1 have less trees but more open views of the dunes Dunes and Crestone Peaks at Sunset Grasslands, large dunes, and snow-capped peaks at sunset The view at the park entrance contrasts giant dunes and snow-capped mountains. Girls Sand Sledding Girls Sand Sledding Rent specially designed sand sleds to slide on the dry sand. Note: cardboard, snow sleds, saucers, and other items don't slide on dry sand. Elk, Grasslands, Dunes, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains Elk, Grasslands, Dunes, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains Elk are sometimes seen by visitors along the park entrance road or County Lane 6, primarily fall through spring. Lower Sand Creek Lake, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve Lower Sand Creek Lake, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve Spectacular alpine lakes are part of the backcountry of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve Upper Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve Upper Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve Sand Creek Basin, part of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, contains lush forests and alpine lakes. Fall Colors Along Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park Fall Colors Along Mosca Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park Fall is a pretty time to visit the park, with great colors and generally nice weather. Gold Cottonwoods, Dunes, and Cleveland Peak Gold cottonwood trees, large dunes, a silver cloud, and snow-capped mountain Experiencing Great Sand Dunes in the quieter seasons of fall and winter can be a rewarding experience. Girl Floating Medano Creek A teen girl sits on a floatation device Visitors can float Medano Creek's waves during late spring peak flow, in years of good snowpack National Park Service Visitor and Resource Protection Staff Focuses on Week of Leadership Staff from all levels of the National Park Service in law enforcement, United States Park Police, as well as fire and aviation spent a week learning leadership lessons from one another as well as from a diverse group of leaders during the last week of September 2019. A group of women and men on a rocky outcrop in high desert. Cleaner Snow Reveals Cleaner Air in Rocky Mountain Network Parks Few things look more pristine than a fresh blanket of snow, yet each snowflake naturally carries small particles from the atmosphere. When snowflakes build around these particles, the resulting snowfall can bring pollutants from far away into our national parks. Long-term snow chemistry monitoring is showing some improvements in air quality at Glacier and Rocky Mountain National Parks, and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Snowpack Sampling at Apgar Lookout in Glacier National Park NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Colorado Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. stream, dunes, and mountains The Legacies of Latino Homesteaders Learn how Latino Heritage Intern, Verónica Barreto, researched and discovered fascinating facts about Latino homesteaders. The Homestead Act of 1862 gave citizens of the world an opportunity to obtain Free Land! Discover how these homesteaders materialized their American Dream through the Homestead Act. Pikas in Peril The National Park Service stewards pika populations in more than a dozen parks and seeks to understand the vulnerability of pikas and other mountain species to climate change. Pikas in Peril, funded in 2010, was a collaborative research program directed by scientists from the National Park Service, Oregon State University, University of Idaho, and University of Colorado-Boulder. Profile of a pika on rough, dark red lava rock. © Michael Durham Park Air Profiles - Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Air quality profile for Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Gives park-specific information about air quality and air pollution impacts for Great Sand Dunes NP & Pres as well as the studies and monitoring conducted for Great Sand Dunes NP & Pres. Sandhill cranes doing a mating dance in Great Sand Dunes NP & Pres Wildland Fire in Douglas Fir: Western United States Douglas fir is widely distributed throughout the western United States, as well as southern British Columbia and northern Mexico. Douglas fir is able to survive without fire, its abundantly-produced seeds are lightweight and winged, allowing the wind to carry them to new locations where seedlings can be established. Close-up of Douglas fir bark and needles. Fulgurites: The Power of Lightning See evidence of the incredible power of lightning by what it leaves behind in sand dunes. Fulgurite (sand fused by lightning) in sand dunes Checking Great Sand Dunes' Vital Signs In 2007, the Rocky Mountain Inventory and Monitoring Network—a small team of NPS scientists—began monitoring natural resources, called “vital signs,” in Great Sand Dunes and nearby park units. Vital signs indicate park health and serve as red flags if conditions deteriorate, supporting park managers’ efforts to make science-based management decisions. Learn about the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Division and its work in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. snowy mountain with golden, fall colored forest on lower slopes and sand dunes in the foreground Wildland Fire in Ponderosa Pine: Western United States This forest community generally exists in areas with annual rainfall of 25 inches or less. Extensive pure stands of this forest type are found in the southwestern U.S., central Washington and Oregon, southern Idaho and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Recently burned ponderosa pine forest. Removal of artesian wells in Great Sand Dunes National Park and its aftermath on small mammals, plant cover, and area disturbance by ungulates Resource managers of protected arid lands need to understand the ecological changes that may occur with the removal of artificial water sources, especially in light of climate change and predicted increase in drought frequency. Bison drink from an open well (Credit: Colorado State University and USGS/Sarah J. Garza) The Indian Grove within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Located near a mountain pass and a perennial water source within the boundaries of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a stand of approximately 200 ponderosa pine trees, of which 72 trees have been culturally modified —that is, altered by people. Known as the Indian Grove, the ponderosa pines with their tall, straight trunks and rusty orange bark composed of broad plates, were peeled and harvested by the Ute, Apache, and other indigenous people in the 19th century. Two people stand next to a large pine tree. Series: Park Air Profiles Clean air matters for national parks around the country. Photo of clouds above the Grand Canyon, AZ Water Balance Underlies Natural Resource Conditions at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve As climate change intensifies, land managers need to understand its multifaceted effects on the ground. We used an old tool—water balance—in new ways to better understand how vegetation, stream flow, and wildfire ignitions respond to climate across the range of elevations and vegetation types in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Case studies like this highlight the value of using water balance analyses for climate change adaptation. Bright green vegetation in front of stream at base of tall sand dunes with mountains behind. Introduction to the Geology of Great Sand Dunes The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, lakes, and alpine tundra. 'Surge flow' occurs during peak snowmelt in late spring. Medano Creek Flowing at the Base of Great Sand Dunes Introduction to Mammals of Great Sand Dunes Wetland, desert, and Rocky Mountain mammal species all live at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve! Kangaroo rat on sand Introduction to Plants of Great Sand Dunes An introduction to the diverse plant life of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Pink blossoms in grasslands, dunes in the background Introduction to Reptiles at Great Sand Dunes Few reptiles can live at this high elevation, but there are a few which can withstand the extreme conditions. Pictured: Short-horned lizard camouflaged on sand. A sand-colored round lizard camouflaged on sand Great Sand Dunes' Founding Legislation: A Timeline A timeline of Great Sand Dunes becoming a national monument, wilderness area, and national park and preserve. Interior Secretary Gale Norton declares Great Sand Dunes a National Park and Preserve, 2004. Introduction to Amphibians of Great Sand Dunes Discover the unexpected presence of amphibians in these desert dunes! A camouflaged spadefoot toad on sand Introduction to Fish of Great Sand Dunes An introduction to rare fish species found in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve A trout with black spots and red throat in water Introduction to Birds of Great Sand Dunes An introduction to the 250 species of birds of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Two sandhill cranes in snow, one standing and one dancing Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios. Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background Outside Science (inside parks): Blue Skies and Dragonflies In this episode follow us to Rocky Mountain National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park, two of over 50 parks participating in the Dragonfly Mercury Project. Students looking into a net Enjoy the View Like Lisa Devore Pinyon pine trees are scattered here and there. Sunflowers and Rocky Mountain beeplants abound among the tall grasses... Lisa Devore shares her favorite view at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Sunflowers and Rocky Mountain beeplants abound among the tall grasses My Park Story: Dr. Bill Pollard Meet Dr. Bill Pollard, a member of the Volunteers-In-Parks program with the Trails & Rails program who brings his own unique perspective to volunteering with the National Park Service. Bill Pollard on a train speaking to someone who is out of frame. Making an Impact: Long-Term Monitoring of Natural Resources at Intermountain Region National Parks, 2021 Across the Intermountain Region, Inventory & Monitoring Division ecologists are helping to track the effects of climate change, provide baseline information for resource management, evaluate new technologies, and inspire the next generation of park stewards. This article highlights accomplishments achieved during fiscal year 2021. A man looks through binoculars at sunrise. A Changing Bimodal Climate Zone Means Changing Vegetation in Western National Parks When the climate changes enough, the vegetation communities growing in any given place will also change. Under an expanded bimodal climate zone, some plant communities in western national parks are more likely to change than others. National Park Service ecologists and partners investigated the future conditions that may force some of this change. Having this information can help park managers decide whether to resist, direct, or accept the change. Dark storm clouds and rainbow over mountains and saguaros. 50 Nifty Finds #30: So Funny It Hurt Humor is a form of commentary that often reveals serious truths. Cartoonists combine artistic talents with razor-sharp wits to shine light on political and social issues. In most cases, those artists are external observers. In the National Park Service (NPS), employees in the 1960s to 1980s drew cartoons, published in official newsletters, that provide unique insights into NPS organizational culture, working conditions, and employees' concerns—many of which still exist today. A ranger showing a coloring book to a visitor saying that they care about children's education Project Profile: Produce Seed for Intermountain Sagebrush Systems The National Park Service will build in-house capacity for four strategically located parks to scale up their collection, production, and storage of genetically appropriate native seeds with a focus on ’workhorse’ species to meet their needs as well as parks in the same ecoregions. two men, one in nps uniform, survey plant seedlings in a nursery. Project Profile: Produce Seed for Intermountain Grasslands The National Park Service and organizations of the Southwest Seed Partnership will implement the National Seed Strategy and associated revegetation and restoration efforts in grassland ecosystems in Intermountain Region parks. The project focuses on native plant development and involves collecting, producing, cleaning, testing, tracking, and storing seeds from native species. a man kneels in a field and puts collected seeds into a 5 gallon bucket My Park Story: Emma Stefanacci "It continued to strike me just how cool it is to have our shared history preserved in a way where people can experience it as part of their everyday." A woman wearing a hat and sunglasses stands in front of mesa ruins. Park Managers look to Bipartisan Infrastructure Law projects to break cycle of fire-driven ecosystem losses in the West Park managers look to Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to break the cycle of fire-driven ecosystem losses in the West. The project focus, as part of a larger program that the National Park Service calls its NPSage Initiative, is on collaborative work to build capacity across four priority seed zones of the Intermountain Region: 17 parks in the Colorado Plateau and Rocky Mountains ecoregions of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. rows of tall grasses being grown for restoration Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park Service To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on how dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways: Janssen, S.E., C.J. Kotalik, J.J. Willacker, M.T. Tate, C. Flanagan Pritz, S.J. Nelson, D.P. Krabbenhoft, D. Walters, and C. Eagles-Smith. 2024. Geographic Drivers of Mercury Entry into Aquatic Foods Webs Revealed by Mercury Stable Isotopes in Dragonfly Larvae. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02436 close up of dragonfly larvae on white spoon Restoring Balance: The Battle Against Invasive Riparian Plant Species We’re incredibly fortunate to have some of the most beautiful mountain, river, and grassland landscapes across the United States but their resilience – a key characteristic of national parklands – is threatened by invasive species. National Park Service (NPS) park managers, restoration biologists, and other partners are at work to control invasive species through multiple projects in parks of the American southwest. An extra wide shot of a desert, dry, barren landscape - with red canyon walls and steep cliffs. Project Profile: Restore Native Plants and Reduce the Vulnerability to Climate Change Across the Arid Southwest The National Park Service will remove over 4,000 acres of riparian invasive plant infestations and replace them with native vegetation in 14 parks, building drought resiliency. A pond surrounded by palm trees with mountains in the background. Project Profile: Establish a New Conservation Bison Herd at Great Sand Dunes National Park The National Park Service will establish a new bison herd in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. Sand dunes with snow capped mountains in the background Peeking at Pikas: Status and Vulnerability to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease A deadly new form of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV2) is spreading worldwide and has been found in dead rabbits and hares near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (NPP). In 2022, the Inventory and Monitoring Division funded a survey on American pika (Ochotona princeps) in the park to better understand where pikas occur and where they might be exposed to RHDV2. An up-close view of the American pika's side profile with round ears, brown fur, and long whiskers. “Cracking the code” on mercury bioaccumulation Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on a model to predict mercury risk park waterbodies: Kotalik, C.J. et al. 2025. Ecosystem drivers of freshwater mercury bioaccumulation are context-dependent: insights from continental-scale modeling. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07280 A person stands in a field looking at a bug through a magnifying lens.

Great Sand Dunes Nataonal Monument Colorado National Park Service U.S. Department of the lnterior Dunes against the Sangre de Cristos Jumping for joy Photo by Steven Trimble Medano Creek Grass, tracks, ripples Dune crest, Sand Creek k been the Pueblo people's ancestral home, but when Europeans arrived the Utes had North America's tallest sand dunes. Colo- (4,000 feet) above the valley f loor. The rado's biggest sand box. A geologic wonder. A unique recreational area. Great Sand Dunes National Monument is different things to different people. range's northern two-thirds forms a barrier to prevailing southwesterly winds. The southern third nearly parallels the wind and directs it to a pocket where the range shifts direction. Here the wind is funneled through three low passes. As it has for 15,000 years, the wind bounces and rolls the ancient river probably came in 1694, but the valley was on the frontier of Spanish settlement until the mid-18OOs. U.S. citizen Zebulon Pike* sand toward the mountain barrier where, through these passes, the winci ioses energy, leaving the sand behind. Trillions of settlers passed the dunes after crossing Medano and Mosca passes. By the 192Os the Great Sand Dunes were popular with tons of sand have created a dune f ield covering over 250 square kilometers (150 square miles). The main dune field of '130 square valley residents and their visitors. Through the residents' efforts Great Sand Dunes Explore the dunes and watch geology in action as the wind blows a plume of sand off a dune crest. From the crest you can look 8O kiiomeiers (50 miies) across the vailey to the mountains that were the source of the sand. On the dunes at night you can watch, with a flashlight, creatures that are rarely seen by day. The Great Sand Dunes nestle against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the highmountain San Luis Valley. An unexpected surprise, the dunes are products of the mountains, valley, and climate. They probably began to form as the last lce Age ended. Streams of glacial meltwater carried boulders, gravel, sand, and silt from the mountains. Boulders and rocks dropped near the mountains'foot; lighter material carried out onto the valley floor. The Rio Grande carried sand and gravel eastward from the San Juan Mountains to the valley floor. As deposits built, the river shifted, leaving enormous sandy deposits exposed to the wind. The Sangre de Cristos tower 1,200 meters kilometers (50 square miles), caught in a wind trap, is stable. But the dune surfaces change with each wind. Medano Creek washes the dune field's leading edge back into the valley where the sand been here for generations. Spanish explorers trespassing on the Spanish-wrote of the dunes in 1807. Anglo explorers and, later, National Monument was proclaimed in 1932. Activities with Bangers Hikes, walks, talks, and campfire programs with rangers are provided from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Ask for a schedule at the visitor center. is blown back onto the dunes. Blowing out o Precautions on the Dunes Lightning often of the mountain passes "reversing winds" pile the dunes back upon themselves, building them higher. Dunes creep up the back of dunes, piling sand still higher, building North America's tallest dunes. History Near the Dunes Folsom Man camped near the dunes 10,000 years ago. Other peoples lived in the valley and traversed the mountain passes but left little evidence. The San Luis Valley may have strikes the highest point. lf you are on a dune, that's you!Get off dunes when storms approach. Summer sand can burn your feet -take shoes on the dunes. Keep children in sight; it is easy to get lost while running, jumping, and rolling in the dunes. Pets must be kept on a leash and within 30 meters (100 feet) of roadways and parking areas. Deer and other animals may seem tame, but are wild. Don't feed or approach them closely. Bitte verlangen Sie unsere Deutschsprachige Broschure. Solicite nuestro folleto en espafrol. Un depliant en frangais est disponible sur demande. Whose Tracks Are These? Mule deer rarely venture onto the dunes. They are abundant in the pifron-juniper woodland between the dunes and mountains. ." ;- ," ,' i' t. t , i ,t " Ord kangaroo rats, able to survive without ever drinking water, are one of few mammals to live in the dunes. Giant sand treader camel crickets live nowhere else in the world. We know little about their way of life. Drawrngs by Byron Alexander iGPO: 1985*461-444/20041 Reprint 1985 Great Sand Dunes lnformation and Access Visitor Center The visitor center is open for information, exhibits, and emergency help from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day;8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Federal holidays in winter. Picnicking and Camp- ing Fire grates and picnic tables are provided in the cottonwoods near the dunes. Charcoal fires only allowed in picnic area. The Pinyon Flats Campground operates April through October, f i rst-come, f i rst-served. Gather

Visitor Guide Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve April through October Welcome! Great Sand Dunes, great mountains...and great experiences! Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve protects the tallest dunes in North America… and a whole lot more. The park and preserve contain ecosystems ranging from wetlands to forest to tundra—each supporting specially adapted plant, animal, and insect life. Make the most of your visit by taking the time to experience this diversity in your national park and preserve! Superintendent Pam Rice The endemic Great Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle A herd of young elk runs across grasslands in front of the dunes and Sangre de Cristo Mountains in April. Page 2 Page 4 Page 6 Hiking and Exploring the Main Use Area Best Ways to Experience the the Dunes Best Ways to Experience the Mountains Page 3 A Geological Wonder Page 7 General Information Camping Options in the Park and Preserve Climbing the dunes, October Science, Cultural, and Recreation Highlights Page 5 Best Ways to Experience the Night Viewing the night sky, May Page 8 Planning Your Time Climbing Mt. Herard, July Know Before You Go: Safety Tips and Reminders Emergency Calls Dial 911 for emergencies. Cell service is not consistently reliable within the boundaries of Great Sand Dunes NP&P. Contact the visitor center for assistance during operating hours. Hot Sand Sand temperatures can reach over 60 degrees hotter than the air temerature, up to 150 degrees F (66C). In warmer months, hike during morning or evening to avoid heat exhaustion and burned feet. Wear closed-toe shoes. Be cautious when hiking with pets. Hot sand can burn dogs’ paws. Take necessary precautions by reducing the amount of time you are hiking on hot sand, or cover paws with dog shoes. Lightning Lightning can occur anytime during the warmer months (especially July – August), when afternoon storms approach the dunes. Avoid fatal lightning strikes by experiencing the dunes and other open areas during morning hours. Remain in a building or vehicle until 30 minutes after the last thunder. If you are in immediate danger, crouch in a low-lying area on top of a backpack or other item to prevent a ground charge. Areas with trees are slightly more safe than open areas. Driving Rangers enforce speed limits to keep the roads safe for visitors and wildlife. Please abide by speed limits to arrive alive. Wildlife Never feed or approach wildlife. Keep a safe distance when viewing wildlife. Food and scented items should be stored out of sight in your vehicle or in bear proof containers in the campground or along Medano Pass Primitive Road campsites. Bear hangs or bear proof containers are Ranger Vehicle required in the national park and preserve backcountry. High Winds Winds are possible any time of the year and can cause sand to move. Wear eye protection, long sleeves, and pants to avoid getting sand-blasted when hiking during high wind conditions. Check the weather forecast on the park website or at the visitor center. High Elevation Elevations within the park and preserve range from 8,000 feet to 13,604 feet (2,438 m to 4,146 m). Stay hydrated, wear sun protection, and hike slowly. In the higher-elevation backcountry, pack layers to avoid hypothermia. If you experience shortness of breath, headaches or nausea: rest, hydrate and slowly descend from your elevation. Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) It is illegal to launch, land, or operate an unmanned aircraft from within the boundaries of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve or other national park units. This law is to protect wildlife, emergency operations, and visitor privacy and enjoyment. Marijuana Even though recreational marijuana is legal in the state of Colorado, the consumption and possession of marijuana is ILLEGAL on federal lands, including national parks in Colorado. Individuals will be cited and fned for illegal activity within Great Sand Dunes. First Aid and Convenience Items Bandages, sun protection, pain reliever, allergy medicine, eye drops and sanitary items can be purchased in the visitor center during operating hours. These items are also seasonally available at the store in the campground, and at the Oasis store outside park boundaries. Contact the visitor center for phone numbers of local pharmacies and clinics. Keep wildlife wild. Don’t leave food out in your campsite or picnic site. Hiking and Exploring the Main Use Area - PavedRoad (ii All Vehicles ~ High-clearance 4WD ~ Dirt Road (No RVs) - -- 4WD Primitive Road m r:. Area Shown Picnic Area Horse Trailer Parking -.s ,_ ; - ...,,- Dunes Overlook Star Dune . height: 741ft/225m /'Dunes I Overlo k \ Trail High Dune on First Ridge • height: 693ft/211 m ~ Campground suck j iiipn Flats Ga rd e"' V\ a, C: ::, 1v ~ 0 LL Cl ampground open Apdl 1 - October 31 /---1 Wellington Ditch Trail Montville Nature Trail 1 mile 1 km Arrive early to avoid crowds at popular destinations in the main use area. Parking

Exploring the Park from Streams to Summits The park is open 24 hours a day, all year. Visitor center hours vary by season: Call 719-378-6399. Entrance fees, $3 per person aged 16 and up, are good for one week. Several park and federal passes are honored: See the park newspaper or check www.nps.gov/grsa. You can enjoy ranger-led programs and events, go birding, swim, picnic, hike, backpack, photograph, stargaze, ride horses, climb dunes, or go sandboarding, skiing, sledding, or highclearance four-wheeling (ATVs prohibited). We strive to make facilities and programs accessible to persons with disabilities. For details ask at the visitor center or ask a park ranger. The Dunes parking lot has accessible mats to the creek and viewing platform. Ask at the visitor center about sand wheelchairs for loan and accessible campsites. More than Sand Dunes You can explore the mountains, foothills, diverse forests, and grasslands here as well as sand dunes. Groups may reserve free ranger-led programs in advance: Call 719-378-6399. Safety Don’t trust computer road mapping here. The only paved-highway access is via US 160 and CO 150 from the south, or CO 17 and County Lane 6 from the west. • Lightning strikes can be fatal: If you see a thunderstorm, get off the dunes! Storms and cold weather can occur any time of the year. • Summer sand surfaces reach 140ºF. Hike dunes in early mornings or evenings then. Wear closed-toe shoes and moni- tor pets’ feet. • Elevations range from 7,500 to nearly 14,000 feet: Seek medical advice about doing vigorous exercise. Elevation sickness symptoms are short breath, headache, and nausea. Drink lots of water. Great Sand Dunes is one of over 390 parks in the National Park System. To learn more about national parks and National Park Serv­ice programs in America’s communities, please visit www.nps.gov. Get a copy of “Wild Ways” at the visitor center to learn about bears and mountain lions. Store food, toiletries, and trash in bear-proof boxes in campgrounds. Do not feed any wildlife. It is dangerous for you and unhealthy for them. Great Sand Dunes Wilderness In 1976 Congress designated the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness for protection under the 1964 Wilderness Act. The 33,549-acre wilderness of dunes and mountains abuts the 220,803-acre Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. Wilderness designation protects forever the land’s wilderness character, natural conditions, opportunities for solitude, and scientific, educational, and historical values. In wilderness, people can sense being a part of the whole community of life on Earth. Preserving wilderness shows restraint and humility, and it benefits generations to come. More Information Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve 11999 Highway 150 Mosca, CO 81146-9798 719-378-6300 www.nps.gov/grsa These are public roads, but please respect private property in the Baca Grande Subdivision. Origins of the Dunes This map of the park and preserve shows how wind and water move sand, continually forming dunes. Most sand comes from the San Juan Mountains, over 65 miles to the west. Larger, rougher grains and pebbles come from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (right). Sand and sediments from both ranges washed into a huge lake once covering the valley floor. As the lake shrank, prevailing southwesterly winds (large white arrow) bounced sand grains to pile up beneath the Sangre de Cristos or to be washed back toward the valley floor (small blue arrows). Northeasterly storm winds (small white arrows) blast through mountain passes, piling dunes back on themselves and creating North America’s tallest dunes. Research suggests that the dunes are less than 440,000 years old, but we don’t yet know their exact age. Medano Creek wave surges (seasonal) Emergencies call 911 Tall trees, Montville Trail Sand Creek Lakes area ✩GPO:20xx—xxx-xxx/xxxxx Reprint 20xx Printed on recycled paper.