GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE

Amenities Weather Recreation


PARKS COLORADO

Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve


April 27, 2024

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a unique destination located in southern Colorado. It features the tallest sand dunes in North America, with some peaks reaching over 750 feet in height. The park attracts visitors for a variety of reasons, including hiking, sandboarding, stargazing, and wildlife watching.

One of the most popular activities at Great Sand Dunes is hiking. Visitors can explore the dunes themselves or hike to the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Medano Creek, which flows through the park during the spring and early summer, is another popular spot for visitors to splash around and cool off.

In addition to the sand dunes, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. The park also boasts some of the darkest skies in the country, making it an ideal spot for stargazing.

Interesting facts about Great Sand Dunes include that the sand comes from the surrounding mountains and is carried to the dunes by wind and water. The park also contains a number of natural springs, which provide a source of water for local wildlife.

The best time to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is during the spring and fall months, when temperatures are mild and crowds are smaller. However, the park is open year-round and each season offers its own unique experiences.

Overall, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Colorado. With its towering sand dunes, stunning mountain views, and diverse wildlife, it offers something for everyone.




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16 Day Long Term Forecast

Seasonal Comparison


Historical Data


Fishing Destinations

                                                       

Tarryall Reservoir

Apache Trout Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout Rainbow Trout

Rio Chiquito Fishing

Apache Trout Brown Trout Rainbow Trout

Manzanares Creek

Apache Trout Brown Trout Northern Pike

Rito De La Olla Fishing

Apache Trout Brook Trout

Red River Fishing

Apache Trout Blue Catfish Cutthroat Trout Kelp Bass Smallmouth Bass

Sanchez Reservoir

Apache Trout Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout Rainbow Trout Walleye

Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir

Apache Trout Atlantic Salmon Brown Trout Northern Pike Rainbow Trout

South Platte River

Apache Trout Cutthroat Trout

Eleven Mile Reservoir

Apache Trout Atlantic Salmon Northern Pike

Shuree Lakes Fishing

Apache Trout Black Sea Bass Brown Trout Lake Trout Rainbow Trout

Wellington Lake

Apache Trout Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout Rainbow Trout

DeWeese Reservoir

Apache Trout Atlantic Salmon Brown Trout Rainbow Trout

San Luis Lake

Apache Trout

Cheesman Reservoir

Apache Trout Atlantic Salmon Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout

Rio Fernando Fishing

Apache Trout Brook Trout Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout Kelp Bass Smallmouth Bass

Rio San Antonio

Apache Trout Brown Trout

Smith Reservoir (Costilla Cty)

Apache Trout

Mountain Home Reservoir

Alligator Gar Apache Trout Atlantic Salmon Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout Rainbow Trout

Antero Reservoir

Apache Trout Atlantic Salmon Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout Rainbow Trout

Columbine Creek Fishing

Apache Trout Brook Trout Brown Trout Rainbow Trout

Conejos River

Apache Trout Cutthroat Trout

Stabilization Reservoir

Apache Trout Atlantic Salmon Brown Trout Rainbow Trout

Rio Grande Fishing

Apache Trout Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout Kelp Bass Rainbow Trout Smallmouth Bass

Spinney Mountain Reservoir

Apache Trout Cutthroat Trout
                                                                                                                       
                                               

Area Boat Ramps

AHRA - LONE PINE REC SITE
Arkansas Headwaters Watershed, Colorado
AHRA - SPIKEBUCK REC SITE
Arkansas Headwaters Watershed, Colorado
HIGHWAY OF LEGENDS HUERFANO COUNTY
Purgatoire Watershed, Colorado
RIO GRANDE BOAT TAKEOUT
Alamosa-Trinchera Watershed, Colorado
HIGHWAY OF LEGENDS HUERFANO COUNTY
Purgatoire Watershed, Colorado
HIGHWAY OF LEGENDS HUERFANO COUNTY
Purgatoire Watershed, Colorado
AHRA - VALLIE BRIDGE REC SITE
Arkansas Headwaters Watershed, Colorado
AHRA - PINNACLE ROCK REC SITE
Arkansas Headwaters Watershed, Colorado
ALAMOSA COUNTY
San Luis Watershed, Colorado
SHERMAN LAKE CIRCLE 94, RIO GRANDE COUNTY
Alamosa-Trinchera Watershed, Colorado

Rafting & Kayaking

WIGMAN CLUB TO STRONTIA RESERVOIR
Upper South Platte Watershed, Colorado
COLORADO RIVER SEGMENT 5
Colorado headwaters Watershed, Colorado
EAST FORK ARKANSAS RIVER
Arkansas Headwaters Watershed, Colorado
COLORADO RIVER SEGMENT 4
Colorado headwaters Watershed, Colorado
HEADWATERS TO HOLY CROSS WILDERNESS BOUNDARY
Eagle Watershed, Colorado
NORTH FORK--INSMONT TO ESTABROOK
Upper South Platte Watershed, Colorado
CLIFFDALE TO CONFLUENCE WITH SOUTH PLATTE
Upper South Platte Watershed, Colorado
ESTABROOK TO CLIFFDALE
Upper South Platte Watershed, Colorado
HEADWATERS TO ENDS 0.5 MILES UPSTREAM FROM END OF COUNTY HWY 115
St. Vrain Watershed, Colorado
BEGINS 0.5 MILES UPSTREAM FROM END OF COUNTY HWY 115 TO EASTERN BOUNDARY OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
St. Vrain Watershed, Colorado

Parks & Recreation

                                                       

John Stone Park

Lake George Community Park

Kathleen O Neill Marriage Park

Farish Memorial Recreation Area

United States Air Force Academy Athletic Fields

Mary Kyer Park

Limbach Park

Fox Run Regional Park

Dirty Woman Park

Wilderness Lost Creek

                                                                                                                       
                                               
UFO WATCH TOWER AND CAMPGROUND
The UFO Watch Tower and Campground in Colorado is a unique and intriguing point of interest for those interested in extraterrestrial sightings and the unexplained. Located in the San Luis ...
LABATOS BRIDGE
The Labatos Bridge is a historic truss bridge located in the Alamosa-Trinchera watershed of Colorado. It was originally constructed in 1919 and served as the primary crossing over the Trinchera ...
FARLEY FLOWER OVERLOOK OBSERVATION SITE
RIO GRANDE NATURAL AREA
The Rio Grande Natural Area is a beautiful conservation area located in the Alamosa-Trinchera watershed of Colorado. The area covers over 22,000 acres and is home to a diverse range ...
AHRA - FIVE POINTS REC SITE
Ahra Five Points Rec Site is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, located in the Arkansas Headwaters watershed of Colorado. This recreation site offers a wide range of activities, including ...
AHRA - TEXAS CREEK REC SITE
Ahra Texas Creek Rec Site is a popular recreational spot located in the Arkansas Headwaters watershed of Colorado. The site is situated along the Arkansas River, offering a plethora of ...
ZAPATA FALLS RECREATION AREA
The Zapata Falls Recreation Area is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike in the San Luis watershed of Colorado. The area is known for its stunning waterfall, which ...
GREAT SAND DUNES
Welcome to Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, one of the most unique landscapes in the United States! This park boasts the tallest dunes in North America, rising over ...

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