Great Sand Dunes National Park

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-24 to 2026-12-18; community-mapped.

About

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.

Events

• Junior Ranger Program
• AM Visitor Center Ranger Talk 11:15 AM–11:45 AM · Programs take place on visitor center rear porch, front lobby, or in auditorium. See bulletin board for topics and locations within visitor center.
• PM Visitor Center Ranger Talk 01:45 PM–02:15 PM · Programs take place on visitor center rear porch, front lobby, or in auditorium. See bulletin board for topics and locations within visitor center.
• 8:00 pm Amphitheater Evening Program
• Hispanic Culture of San Luis Valley
• 7:30 pm Amphitheater Evening Program 07:30 PM–08:30 PM

Before you go

Getting there

To access the main park area, including the Dunes Parking Lot, Visitor Center, and Pinon Flats Campground, take US 160 to CO 150 from the south, or CO 17 to Lane 6 to CO 150 from the west. The national park is at the north end of CO 150.

Weather & when to go

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