Best Photos of Great Sand Dunes National Park

Author:: Staff
Publish date:: Sep 30, 2019

Each year we ask national park travelers to enter their best photos in our annual photo contest. Here are some of the best shots we've received that were taken in Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Sandhill cranes flying over the dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park — Sandhill cranes flying over the dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park
Patrick Myers

Beach grass at Great Sand Dunes National Park — The warm golden-hour glow of grass poking through the sand at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Jeff Stephenson

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. — Windy dunes
Michael Osborne

Photographer at Great Sand Dunes National Park — A fellow photographer gets a good position on the dunes
Don Sender

The Milky Way above the dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park — The Milky Way above the dunes
Kim Belverud

Hiker high on the dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park — Hiker high on the dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park
Patrick Myers

Sunset at Medano Creek in Great Sand Dunes National Park — Sunset at Medano Creek in Great Sand Dunes National Park
Surjanto Suradji

Hikers look like ants climbing the sand at Great Sand Dunes National Park — Hikers look like ants climbing the sand at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Daniel Forster

Park visitors carrying sleds to the dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park — Park visitors carrying sleds to the dunes
Lauren Lang

Dawn hiker at Great Sand Dunes National Park — Dawn hiker
Mitch Warnick

Great Sand Dunes National Park in Springtime — Great Sand Dunes National Park in Springtime
Sheba Olenik

Evening shadows at Great Sand Dunes National Park — Evening shadows
Michael Ryno

Hikers brave the windswept sand at Great Sand Dunes National Park — Hikers brave the windswept sand
Ellen Fitzgibbon

Fun with light painting at Great Sand Dunes National Park — Fun with light painting
Nicholas Zupancich

Hikers gather at the top of the dunes to watch the sunset at Great Sand Dunes National Park — Hikers gather at the top of the dunes to watch the sunset
Liliana Kieler

Far View cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde National Park

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

View of the Gunnison River from the rim of the Black Canyon

Each year we ask travelers to enter their best photos in our annual photo contest. Here are some of the best shots we've received in the Black Canyon.

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.

Feature photo for map of Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

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

Sunset over the dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

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

Autumn at Great Sand Dunes National Park

Park Itineraries

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

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.

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

Camping and RV Parks

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.

Colorado Springs Airport Terminal at dusk

Closest Airports, Trains and Buses to National Parks in Colorado

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