Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Reviews

Absolutely the most fun I've ever had at a national park!!

Beautiful...it rained but not for long. This is a great place to RV dump and get water. The campground has trees.

We enjoyed playing in the sand with kiddos 5 and 2.5. Running down the dunes was lots of fun. They're was no water in December.

The sand dunes were super sandy, super duney. I give the sand dunes a ten out of eleven.

Absolutely beautiful, difficult to climb if youre not an avid hiker, especially in the sand LOL.

Wish I could have flown a drone here though...

We had a great time! Make sure to rent a sled or board to ride down the slopes! Also, take something to float on for the kids if the water is flowing! There are outdoor public showers to rinse off in, but it s HARD to get all the sand off and the water is frigid. Make sure to also visit Zapata Falls down the road a bit!

Awsome nature. Visit Mayish when the creek is flowing. Exercise your 4x4 skills on the "Point of no return"

Very interesting diversity. Wind, water, dunes and more. It is a special place to visit.

The sand dunes are truly magnificent will have to visit when it's not so windy lol

Unexpected experience for an afternoon! Cool place to visit, especially for kids.

Amazing day/trip. Plan ahead and make a reservation at the camp ground. I suggest going during the week, or getting there early, as it gets really packed. The sled we rented was fun for a bit, but became more of a burden as we hiked further. I dont suggest bringing a dog... I had to carry ours most of the way up and down. Also, dont bring anything you dont want sand to get in, it gets everywhere on your body, in your phone, and everything else you have with you.

Very unusual natural phenomenon. Like being at the beach but at the bottom of a mountain, basically in the desert, miles and miles away from any ocean!

Nice park to visit for half the day. Get there early because it gets hot later in the day on the dunes.

I love national Parks and I love hiking. Be prepared to be winded! It's a long way to the top and sand is not fun. Definitely worth a beautiful view, take a sled with you.

Be prepared to cross a very cold creek to get to the dunes. Not deep, just cold. Your feet really sink in the sand. Lots of strenuous climbing.

I drove up at night so I didn't see the dunes until the morning, so when I woke up and saw them I was in disbelief. They seem so out of place, being surrounded by mountains but they are so cool. If you climb them, make sure to stay hydrated, as I almost passed out and I like to think I'm pretty athletic. Drink lots of water and take it slow. Get there early in the day to avoid the super large crowds at the gate.

If it Said Soft sand, and you have 4x4 it do not mean you can freely drive on sand
It not even fee pull you out, it You who will hold Traffick to many other's .

By the way water really cold

Waterfall, sand dunes, marsh, trees and camping. This place has everything but ocean! Go see Zapata Falls while you're there.

Great place to visit
Great visitor center
They shall provide slides for dunes

Amazing view. Better go early morning or late afternoon. Wear sandals or go bare foot. If you want to explore more areas, better have a 4WD. Better have a Jeep

Second time here. This place is a natural wonder. It's like a beach in the mountains.

Amazing place... Don't forget to visit Zapata falls after

This park is much bigger than I anticipated, and there's a lot more to do than just walk around in the sand dunes (although that is a great activity). I wish I had realized that you could rent sandboards outside the park before my visit! I will definitely have to revisit this park during warmer weather.

Surprised to see that (leashed ) dogs are allowed on the dunes.

Go sand boarding and climb the highest dune. Great place for adrenaline and chillnaline.

Beautiful and surprising. But above all exhausting to climb to the highest dunes.

Beautiful and surprising. But above all exhausting to climb to the highest dunes.

One of Colorado s treasures!! Worth the trip and the sand!

Beautiful park, was volunteering with Southwest conservation corps while here

You have to hike to the big sand dune! Then stop and get a sticker that says you did. Also rent a board for about $25 dollars. They rent them before you enter the park. The creek is sometimes dry, depends on the season and how much snow fell in winter. Is creepy to step on sand and hear it crack, is the snow left from yesterday and the sand covered it. Obviously sunset and sunrise are be best times. Once you are finished hike to zapata falls and or off road along the dunes.

Amazing views, especially on the trails up the mountains, but very strong winds and somewhat hard to walk in sand

Get there early before noon because it gets really hot and if your planning to do some snowboarding make sure you get it at the oasis before you get there, entrances is $25 dollars.

The dune is kind of amazing. Did not camp in the park to get the full experience. You should go there once

Kids had a great time sledding. Was a very windy day. I would recommend no one visits on high wind day, gusts of 30mph, never stopped. Wish they would put board walks in to walk to the bottom of the dunes, so everyone isn't exhausted the time you get to the fun part!

Took a quick trip just before snowfall on the valley floor. Always find the sand dunes a great place to visit, except when there is wind.

No other place on Earth is like it. Everyone should go at some point.

Quiet relaxing visit.. Fun information at visitors center. You will get some serious exercise. Glad we stayed the weekend.

It's pretty amazing to see a great sand dunes in middle of the plains. This place is gigantic! You can slide down the dunes. Just make sure you have some kind of boards. Sands goes from very fine to caurse.

Beautiful place to sight see and hike plus was seeing herd of elk.

Just a magical place. You are basically going to the desert so pack like it if you wanna hike the dunes. Smaller dunes are Easily accessible and sand is pretty soft.

Incredible landscapes! Within the National Park there is a 30 sq mile dune field, prairie, and forest. The adjacent preserve has peaks that overlook the dune fields and surrounding areas.

I've been coming here since I was a kid. Great place for epic pics, sand surfing, and camping.

Awesome experience!! So much fun sand surfing and playing around.

Who would think you would find a massive sand dune location in Colorado? I planned an excursion in September 2016 and came across Great Sand Dune NP and made a great visit after being at Mesa Verde NP earlier in the day. I underestimated how much time one would need here to experience the dunes and would have loved to stay here a little more time, but we had to get back to Denver for the flight the next morning. It is a truly different national park and if one has at least a couple hours to spare at least check it out.

Went late at night to stargaze. Absolutely breathtaking.

I am not sure I understand the hype but it is pretty

The park staff are knowledgeable and kind, very kind.

Just an overall amazing place to go. The lack of set trails means you can go explore on your own and separate from the groups.

Fun place great for family day trips Always have a great time climbing the dunes

An amazing natural treasure in our beautiful state. Doesn't cost much to get in, and the parks service takes great care of it.

Absolutely fantastic park. I went early morning and caught the sunrise coming up from the ridge, I would definitely recommend doing so if you have the opportunity. The largest dunes are further off than you would think by seeing them, they really are tremendous. If you plan on hiking it in the winter as I did, dress very warm.

The Sand Dunes was a incredible sight with the mountain views!
I took my grandkids and they had a blast!
*Warning the blowing sand! bring sunglasses or goggles, chapstick, a wind jacket and water. High altitude and dry wind blowing sand

Very spiritual and unusual place. A view of beautiful mountains as you climb massive sand dunes! Best to come near sunrise or sunset. We did the latter and it wasn't too crowded and the sand was cool. After hiking to the top of a dune, I ran barefoot down the dune in slow motion, like I was flying or walking on the moon! Quite an experience. Note: if you bring electronics keep them in a plastic bag. The sand gets *everywhere*.

A bit out of the way, but worth the drive. Climbing the dunes takes some stamina and two to three hours. Really enjoyed the day and got some great photos.

What amazing views. 13'ers behind the dunes (from the visitor center) and 14'er Giants looming behind. These sand dunes are nothing small either, they are really big. The only problem is if you decide to hike to the dune from the visitor center, it is infested with mosquitos. Make sure to bring bug repellent.

Impressive sand dunes nestled in an arid plain at the foot of the mountains. A very beautiful park, where you can enjoy the river flowing at the foot of the dunes. This park is very busy and there is a lack of parking spaces.

What a wonderful park. It will take your breath away.

I loved the experience.. the hike was definitely challenging as I was there on an extremely windy day; i suggest a hat, neck scarf (to keep sand out) and real shoes. Also I would never go in the heat of summer.. just as beautiful was the stop en route at the Scenic Vista trail with a walk to the old fence door framing the mountains in the back!

Amazing find in Colorado. Crazy hiking, and wonderful water.

Seriously the most serine place for me. The desert with snow capped mountain in the background is a veiw unlike anything I have ever seen! Absolutely amazing! My favorite place yet

If you decide to do sand sledding take water its a hike but fun

What an amazing place. Sand dunes next to mountains. We had a great time exploring this National Park.