Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Is this south central Colorado or the Sahara? It’s not always easy to tell at this unique park where the continent’s tallest sand dunes join the rugged Sangre de Cristo mountains.

Wander, sled or sand-ski among the dunes, or, even better, backpack out to camp in the sand.

Photographer at Great Sand Dunes National Park

Home to the highest sand dune in North America, this park is packed with amazing things to do. Check out our Top 10.

Sliding Cloud in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

It’s hard to understand this park's scale. But don’t be daunted—we asked professional photographer Andre Costantini where to approach the dunes for the best photos.

Autumn at Great Sand Dunes National Park

Make your time in the park count with our detailed itinerary! This other-worldly park boasts the tallest sand dunes in North America.

RV driving on the park road inside Great Sand Dunes National Park

While the park road is relatively flat, many roads in the Rockies are winding and involve driving alpine passes. Here's the best route for an RV.

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve - Windy DunesEarth Day weekend, I drove to Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park hoping to get some dramatic light and contrast of the dunes at first/last light. On my late afternoon hike, the wind really picked up and put my eyes and gear to the test as blowing sand filled everything not well covered. There was one other photographer at the top with me, everyone else went home or stayed low. Our reward was a front row seat to scenes like this.

Each year we ask travelers to enter their best photos in our annual photo contest. Here are some of the best shots in Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Night Skies workshop at Great Sand Dunes National Park

In a picturesque and sandy landscape of southern Colorado, a Night Skies Photography Workshop was led by pros from Tamron and National Park Trips Media.

Colorado Springs Airport Terminal at dusk

Convenient airports include San Luis Valley (Alamosa), Colorado Springs and Denver. See maps and our vacation recommendations.

Garden grotto flyer at UFO Watchtower near Alamosa, Colo.

The tower and its garden marks the spot of suspended reason and suspect reality, instead welcoming a faithful appreciation of the unknown and unorthodox.

For the hungry tourist, there is another gem right in town - Locavores, a farm fresh experience hoping to enhance Alamosa’s culinary reputation.

Wild Basin entrance station at Rocky Mountain National Park

Want to take in the sweeping beauty of Longs Peak or the awe-inspiring view of Painted Wall? Here are the many options for national park entrance fees.

Sunset over the dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park

Bring your sled, beach chairs and shade umbrella to explore the tallest sand dunes in North America near Alamosa, Colorado.

Feature photo for map of Great Sand Dunes National Park

Download the official map to find your way around Colorado's Great Sand Dunes including park roads, trails, visitor center, and the dunefield.

Motorcycles at Great Sand Dunes National Park

Pack your gear, grab your ride and head south from Denver to ride through amazing views of the central Rockies and the southern Colorado landscape.

Great Sand Dunes National Park in Springtime

Base in Alamosa to tackle the top 6 things to do in and near Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve plus two quirky side trips.

Sandhill Cranes at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

In the San Luis Valley, the “Cradle of Colorado” has the oldest church, Colorado’s first town, historic trains, historical sites, and agricultural riches.

Sunset at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Medano Creek

Discovered in the sands of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, oddly shaped stones play rock music.

Conductor in the caboose of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad train

Board the train on either end of the line for a full day of jaw-dropping views. If you didn’t know better, you might think you’d been transported back to 1880.