Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra.
Photo: NPS/Patrick Myers / NPS
About Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
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! Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year-round. There are no timed entries or reservations to visit.
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Driving times from Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Entrance fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.00Fees are charged only when the entrance station is open in the spring, summer, and fall seasons or when the visitor center is open in the winter season. Fees can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. Passes may also be purchased in advance online through recreation.gov .
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$15.0015+ passenger vehicle, age 16+
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00This fee is for a commercial group of 1-6 people in a smaller vehicle. Valid for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Van
$40.00This fee is for a commercial group of 7-15 persons in a van. Valid for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$40.00This fee is for a commercial group of 16-25 persons in a mini-bus. Valid for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.00This fee is for a commercial motor coach with 26+ capacity. Valid for 7 days.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Entrance Fee for Bicycles or Walk-In Visitors
Hours
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
Activities
Getting there
Temperatures are relatively cool all year at the park elevation 8000 ft. 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 mid-day summer sand surface temps can be 160 degrees F! Plan to explore the dunes morning or evening during summer. Nights are cool in summer, and frigid in winter. Visit https://nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/weather.htm for details
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to enter Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve?
- Entrance to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve starts at $15. See the fees section above for each pass and vehicle type.
- What is there to do at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve?
- Popular activities include Arts and Crafts, Arts and Culture, Astronomy, Auto Off-Roading, Auto and ATV, Backcountry Camping.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (4 h 21 min), Curecanti National Recreation Area (4 h 32 min), Manhattan Project National Historical Park (5 h 12 min), Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park (5 h 19 min), Capulin Volcano National Monument (5 h 39 min), Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site (5 h 44 min).