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Wow! What an amazing place! My son and I were on our way back from hiking in the San Juan's. We saw this place on the map and decided to check it out. After driving for quite a few miles, there is a ticket booth. You can get a 1-day pass or a week-long pass. When you get to the visitor center, there is a movie that explains how the dunes were formed, and tells about the wildlife and vegetation you might see there. There are interactive displays inside for kids of all ages to learn from. Outside, there is a .5 mile path with signs telling about the dunes, their significance to the various cultures that have experienced them throughout the centuries. Then you drive to another parking lot where you can walk to the dunes. There were loads of people surfing down the dunes on plastic sleds and snowboards. I believe they are available to rent, as well. Be sure to bring a water bottle. Shoes are a must as the sand gets hot. There is a primitive road you can take to a picnic area. We kept the car in 2wd for that without any problems. The road continues to an area that requires 4wd and high ground clearance, so we didn't go there. But we did take a hike on the trail and saw some pretty cool cacti and...
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The Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit to the park. The center has a variety of exhibits on the park's geology, history, and wildlife. There is also a film that shows the park's beauty and its importance to the ecosystem.
The staff at the visitor center is very friendly and helpful. They can answer any questions you have about the park and recommend activities and trails that are right for you.
The visitor center also has a bookstore where you can buy souvenirs, maps, and guidebooks.
Here are some additional tips for visiting the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center:
The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The visitor center is located just outside of the park entrance. The visitor center is wheelchair accessible. There are restrooms available at the visitor center. There is a picnic area behind the visitor center. Overall, the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center is a great resource for visitors to the park. It is a great place to learn about the park and plan your activities. I highly recommend visiting the visitor center before you start your exploration of the Great Sand Dunes National Park...
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Spectacular!
I'm so glad I read reviews. People are not kidding when they say get there early. On a week day. Not a holiday
We've traveled on a motorcycle from Richmond Virginia to the Grand Canyon and we are slowly heading back east. This National Park was on our to do list. It is Saturday, Memorial weekend. There was a 13 minute backup delay at the entrance going in at 10. Coming out at 12:30, the line of cars stopped, waiting to enter, is over a mile long. CRAZY!
The park rangers were not letting cars go down to the parking lot to the dunes, because it was full. We were allowed to go down on the bike. Otherwise, its parking on the side of the main road and walking a half mile or more.
Once we parked, we took off our shoes, rolled up our pants, walked across the rushing stream and went up the first hill. The water was cool, inviting.
Families are all around, kids digging in the sand, splashing in the water. It's the beach in a vast, land locked area.
Definitely worth the trip. I cant stress enough the importance of going early. On a weekday. Not...
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