US National Parks and Monuments Travel Guide: US-Parks.com

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve - Activities

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If possible, spend at least a few minutes hiking on the dunes. If you have more time, there are nature trails and longer trails and routes. You may observe flora and fauna, picnic, and camp in the campground or backcountry. Medano Creek, which flows at the base of the dunes during spring and early summer, allows for sand castle building and pleasant, refreshing hikes. In winter, its icy stillness is lovely!

Photographing the dunes, especially in late afternoon when the shadows deepen, is rewarding.

Wildlife sightings are common. Recent observations include mule deer, elk, coyotes, golden and bald eagles, ravens, magpies, and, just outside park boundaries, bison. Keep wildlife wild! Never feed wild animals--it"s dangerous for you and unhealthy for them!

Allow about two hours to hike the dunes. "Friends of the Dunes, Inc." host several summer events: castle building and kite flying contest, summer concerts, seminars, and photography workshops.

Call the visitor center for more information, at 719-378-6399.

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