14 Super Fun Things You Can Only Do at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Are you wondering what the best things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park are?
You’ve come to the right place! We asked our friend, Abby, from Trekking Prices to share all of the best things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park. Abby lives in Colorado and loves to explore and find adventure, so she is the perfect person to help us out with this!
Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the most underrated parks in the United States, located in southern Colorado.
This national park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America and is an incredibly unique site to see.
Check out the best things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park so that you have the most ideal experience when visiting!
1. Summit the Tallest Dune in North America
The Star Dune in Great Sand Dunes National Park is over 750 feet in height, making it the tallest dune in North America.
Summiting the Star Dune Trail is a feeling like no other as you take in the views of Great Sand Dunes National Park and of the surrounding mountains off in the distance.
There is something so magical about seeing the Colorado landscape from the top of North America’s tallest sand dune.
Be sure to come prepared and pack plenty of water for your adventure to the summit.
Additionally, be sure to bring along the best energy bars for hiking so that you stay healthy and energized while trekking up the sand dunes!
2. Test Your Skateboarding and Snowboarding Skills by Trying Out Sandboarding
Sandboarding is one of the best things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park and it is one of the most popular activities to do!
You will see countless individuals both young and old, testing out their skills, as they glide down the dunes on sandboards.
Not only is this a super unique experience that you can hardly get anywhere else but it’s a great activity to get a little exercise in as well.
3. Go Sand Sledding
For those that would rather avoid testing out their balance skills on a sandboard, consider going sand sledding!
Much like snow sledding, this sport requires you to sit on a sled and drift down a hill toward the bottom of the sand dunes.
This is a great activity for adults and children alike and is a great family-friendly activity for those looking to create a truly memorable experience with loved ones!
4. Camp Out Under the Stars
One of the most surreal experiences to capture in Great Sand Dunes National Park is camping out underneath the stars.
Due to this national park being relatively off the grid and away from large built-up areas, it is super easy to see the Milky Way Galaxy and take in the views of the surrounding stars and planets.
5. Go on a Road Trip Around the National Park Using the Medano Pass Primitive Road
One of our favorite activities to do at any national park is to embark on a road trip! Not only is this a great way to experience the park as a whole but it will give you a new perspective as you wind down various roads and take in the stunning views of sand dunes from different angles.
The Medano Pass Primitive Road is the most scenic road in Great Sand Dunes National Park and is a great way to capture the park from behind the wheel of a car.
6. Go on a Smaller Hike
There are countless hikes to embark on throughout this national park. If summiting North America’s tallest sand dune sounds too intimidating, consider going on one of the smaller hikes throughout Great Sand Dunes National Park.
A popular shorter hike in the park is the Montville Nature Trail. This is a great option for families with small children or for those looking for an easy and quick hike with some beautiful views!
7. Go Swimming in Medano Creek
One of the best things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park during the summer months is to go swimming in Medano Creek!
Once the summer months hit, the snow begins to melt on the nearby mountain ranges and the water begins to rush into Medano Creek.
The snowmelt forms Alpine Lakes at the bottom and transfers water down Medano Creek right at the base of Great Sand Dunes National Park.
This in return forms a beach-like atmosphere where you can relax on the sand and sunbathe and hop into the creek to cool off and swim around.
8. Go on a Sunrise Hike
Nothing screams adventure more than waking up at the crack of dawn and hitting the trails bright and early! Going on a sunrise hike will allow you to experience the park on a whole new level from on top of the sand dunes!
9. Get Artsy and Photograph the Sand Dunes
Whether you are a pro or an amateur, photographing the sand dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park must be on your list of things to do when visiting this marvelous park.
Seeing the massive sand dunes in front of the Rocky Mountains is so surreal and the pictures will capture those memories for a lifetime.
10. Go Horseback Riding
One of the most unique and best things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park is to go horseback riding! This is an awesome way to capture the sand dunes from a new perspective as you ride on the back of a horse and take in the surrounding landscape.
11. Get Adventurous by Fat Biking the Medano Primitive Road
For those looking for a thrilling adventure, consider fat biking down the Medano Primitive Road.
This is a great option for those looking to get in a workout and take in the views of the park from a whole new perspective rushing down one of the most scenic roads in southern Colorado!
12. Watch the Sunset Over the Sand Dunes
There is nothing like experiencing a vibrant sunset over the state of Colorado and it is all the more special as you watch the sunset over the sand dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park.
13. Grab a Bite to Eat at the Great Sand Dunes Oasis
Once you are finished exploring the Great Sand Dunes, head over to Great Sand Dunes Oasis to grab a quick bite to eat. This is a great place to grab lunch close to the sand dunes!
14. Camp at Pinon Flats Campground
For those looking to spend several days exploring the national park, be sure to camp at Pinon Flats Campground for an experience you will never forget.
This campground comes with countless amenities including restrooms, fire gates, picnic tables, bear lockers, and so much more.
