Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

About

This park's official page lists: Wheelchair-accessible facilities, Pet-friendly (leashed).

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Restrooms, Visitor center.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 104,902 acres (42,452 ha).

Designation: National Park. Listed as "Great Sand Dunes National Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category II.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Sandboarding activity
• Winter sports activity
• Beaches scenic feature
• Stargazing scenic feature
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature
• Hiking trails trail

Before you go

Disability access

This park's official page states it has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Specific routes, transfer access and equipment vary — confirm with the park for your needs.

Limits

Pets are no longer permitted in the national park backcountry;

Limits

You may take a street-licensed, high-clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road , which goes around the eastern edge of the dunes then over a 10,000' mountain pass

History

Opened

2004

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status

• Park opened