Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Reviews

This is definitely one of those places you want to see. But at the same time it would be awesome if there was a areas on the north side that people are not walking on that you could ride or explore by a vehicle. Charge to go drive on the dunes just like the dunes in Glamis CALIFORNIA . But maybe make it hwy legal vehicles. That way it would limit the amount of people to being on the dunes. And at the same time bring in more money to the state. Charge a different price than people walking . I feel that there is also a way for everyone to be happy in this larger than life world with so many things to do and see. That everyone should be able to enjoy what they like doing.

Pretty. Expensive shop. To just drive on the property it is outrageously priced

The constant weather change provides an interesting visit each time. And the peak of the dunes offer a great view and an amazing experience. Just a note, bring water and some extra clothes because depending on the time and weather, you can get wet or cold. Also a great place to bring your camera and take some amazing pictures.

One of the most beautiful places in Colorado. Surrounded by mountains you get to go to a place unlike any other in Colorado. Sandy Desert meets Rocky Mountains.

Had a great time walking the dunes. Be sure to bring a daypack with plenty of water and snacks.

We visited last time on a very windy day. Not a real success. In general it's less interesting than other National Parks.

Really impressive landscape and wildlife at this point.

Absolutely breath taking experience ! It was very fun being able to run down the sand dunes, especially with our dog. We went at sunset which was incredible and there was no entry fee at that time of day. Be sure to pack a gallon of bug spray because when the sun sets the mosquitoes come out to play. Never seen so many mosquitoes in my life before. Next time I will be bringing a board to slide down the dunes!

Wasnt overly busy for a Wednesday during the creek overflow. Beautiful sight to see! The visitor center is open until 5pm and had flushing toilets. The next stop to the dunes has portapottys on the one side. Not sure about flushable toilets. Walk through the creek during the over flow period to get to the dunes. Kids were tubing and playing in the cold cold water. People were sledding down the dunes. People were hiking all the way to the top. The weather changed within an hr from sun to rain and lighting to sun to rain.. pretty windy too when we were there. But had an awesome time!!!

Such a great adventure with epic views! Good for a quick stop or a challenging hike. The winds can get pretty extreme though.

Scenic spot to visit both day and night. Dunes provide hiking to overlook the surrounding area, plus a great spot to "sled" down! At night, the stars shine brightly and provide an exciting experience of a completely different nature!

Went here in June 2016 while on our way to northern Colorado. Very unique place to visit, highly recommend going inside and see the movie about the park before going out into it. Gives a reason on what you are enjoying. Do bring water and sunscreen!

Excellent early summer visit
The sand dunes make it an interesting experience to hike. Late afternoon is recommended since it's not too hot.

Sand Dunes on one side and snow capped mountains on the other make it an pleasant viewing experience. Highly recommend.

Awesome place for an adventure. But sand will get everywhere. And I mean everywhere

Beautiful park. Very different from all the other national parks in Colorado. A must if you have never seen sand dunes.

Amazing place with so many different environments in one tight area. I highly recommend visiting in the early summer.

One of the better National Parks I ve visited this past year. We spent an afternoon there and stayed in the campground that night. It s a little out of the way, but it s worth the detour for a day. Bring a bandana to avoid breathing in sand.

Love the sand dunes - what a super cool experience, it seems unworldly! A few tips - bring bug spray (it can get bad in the summer near the water), bring a change of shoes or sandals as you usually have some moisture in the creek to get through, bring tons of water because its very dry out there, rent or bring a boogie board (sand boarding is a blast!), don't forget your shades as the sand is SO bright. Check ahead, there is a BUSY time (I think it's early spring) and there is camping out that way if interested. Save time for Zapata Falls
Have fun!!

The sand dunes were beautiful! Originally, I went to sled on the dunes, but we brought the wrong kinds of sleds... so it didn t really work. Instead, we ended up rolling down the dunes and watching the stars. It was very relaxing to lay on the warm sand and see almost every star clearly. In the future, though, I would recommend bringing wooden sleds like their website suggests.

This is one of the amazing places for families to visit during holidays. The feeling of so much sand under my feet was a great way of connecting with nature

But the hike on the sand dunes can be strenuous. Recommend hiking poles

This is geologically unique, and a monument for a reason. I was here this time for a field trip for my major. Even having been here before, this visit was special. Lovely place, and awesome time running on dunes!

It is a blast I am only giving it 4 stars because if you don't know to get a sandboard or sandsled before entering the park it's a 10 min drive back to the "Oasis store" to rent a board, which are only $20 for a day and worth it since sleds and cardboard do not work. There are great hiking trails and it is a good way to get some energy out of your wild pups.

Had the best time. Great camp sites! Very pet friendly with breath taking sand dunes just a short walk from camp.

Beautiful park. I could spend much longer here than I did, but I got some amazing pictures.

We drove a few hours out of the way to visit and I was not disappointed. The dunes are cool to see and you can sled down them. I'll go back if I'm ever in the area again.

This place is truly amazing, you need to climb on dunes and you will be surprise. The view from top is wonderful.

WOW! What an amazing environment at 8000' high in the middle of the mountains. Be sure to stop at the Visitor Center, too.

Great place to experience the outdoors and enjoy some excersise. There are many trails to hike in addition to the dunes. Bring a camera and a sled.

Great park to visit. Not very crowded in the winter months, but also not bad warm.

This is one of the only dog friendly parks which is a huge plus for some. Dogs are allowed in the main area and on the nearby dunes, NOT allowed in the persevere area to the east and the back country dune area. If you bring your furry friend be aware that the sand can be rough on their pads. It gets between their toes and irritates them, so maybe consider booties if they will tolerate them.

We rented sand boards and sleds from Kristis in Alamosa. $18 a day. I would recommend the sled over the board.

I've been coming to the Dunes since I was a little kid, and love it here in all seasons...but the spring run of medano creek is the best!!! Was able to still catch some good water as of Thursday this past week, and the weather was great! There's been great improvements in the park since it's become a national park, including flush toilets next to the beach, and a beautiful visitor center. If you haven't seen this place, you are missing out! Remember your sunscreen, and bug spray if you're going to hang out near the water.

We were there in June and got to see the stream flowing above ground. Loved walking in the water. Would highly recommend good sand walking shoes when it is 90 or above. Too hot to walk barefoot. Beautiful place!

So beautiful and expansive. I used hiking poles too.

If you are planning to go Sand boarding or Sand sledding, make sure to rent the boards at the Oasis, about 3 miles from the gate. You cannot get rentals inside the park. Make sure to bring something to cover your face and eyes out on the dunes as the wind will pick up large amounts of sand.

This is one of my favorite parks. Mountains, forest & dessert sand dunes on the same place. You'll probably need reservations to camp & as far as I can tell there are no showers, but Alamosa is nearby if you prefer a hotel.

Amazing sand dunes. Lots to see here. Fun to play in the river.

Experienced the Sahara in the US. Sliding down the dunes was great fun. Being plenty of water.

Beautiful we went at the end of July for our 10 year wedding anniversary and it mesmerising!

One of the most interesting places I have ever been

It's such a beautiful spot. If I had one suggestion it would be for them to crowd fund the construction of a boardwalk that would stretch from the parking lot to the sand dunes.

Something you have to see at least once in your life.

Snow covered mountains, verdant hills, a river, and then - sand dunes?! Crazy. Highly recommended.

This place was awesome. Pretty intense hike to the top of the sand mounds.

Yes! Amazing national park that I only knew existed because I saw a sticker for it on a mini in a rest area parking lot in northern California.

Highly recommend coming with a 4wd vehicle or spry legs to hike up into the mountains. The photos looked amazing but after morning and afternoon dune hiking sessions I lacked the equipment to explore. A Subaru outback is good for lots of things but not this trail.

Experienced the dunes throughout the day. Arrived late at night and watched stars and late night dune hiker headlamps then did a sunrise hike (breath taking), a short day hike (freaky hot in August) and then a beautiful night sunset hike. Loved all of them. If I had more time I would probably spread those experiences out over a couple of days but I was just there for 24 hours.

Went to the nearby falls hike during the day and took a nap under some trees, blessedly escaping the heat.

Interesting tidbit, my cousin was at this park in the late 1970s and I got to see my picture almost side by side with theirs which was cool. Not a lot had changed though there was way more snow later in the season then. Also found out that if you are coming from a place like Dallas and try to hike to 9000 feet you may get altitude sickness so be aware of that possibility

The sand dunes are much taller than I expected. Be prepared to cross the creek in the water, there is no bridge.

You don t need to catch a 12hr flight to Dubai to explore a sand dunes... here it is just in you reach... The great sand dunes national park!!! Kids really enjoy playing in dry desert sand...

I have been here before but i never seen snow cover sand dune this much and this long period of time until it melt down. very beautiful, i will be back next year!

If you're going to come, do it in May. There's a river flowing for you to frolic in if you get too hot on the dunes.

You would think that this place is kind of boring because it s just some sand dunes. But it s not!!!! It s pretty mind blowing when think about what s happened there and you just sit in awww!

Definitely an interesting place to visit but, for us, it was over a 3 hour drive and it definitely wasn't worth over six hours total (round trip) to see it. If it's closer for you, then yeah, I recommend it.

One of the wonders of the world. Can't wait to go back. Camp ground was crowded. We stayed at San Juan park 10 miles away with a nice view of the dunes.

Unfortunately, there was an ice-cold river between us and the actual sand dunes. With a heavy heart we therefore refrained from crossing the river. Nevertheless: the dunes are clearly visible and the surrounding landscape is magnificent. A really impressive experience of nature!

I found it to be more then expected. It was something to see. You can walk into the dunes if you are inclined to. At 58 years, I decided that seeing was enough.

If you enjoy playing in the sand, playing in a beach like environment with lots of streams, hiking and sliding down large dunes, all with a gorgeous mountain backdrop, then go here.

Amazing place. Cool and damp at the little stream, but as you travel up, it only gets warmer. It's a hard and hot hike, full of windy sand moments, but it has a beautiful view and climb at the top. And once you're back down, a nice lengthy area to cool off for the family.

Beautiful. About 20.00 to get in with a normal vehicle. Cheaper for motorcycles. BRING A SNOWBOARD. The trip would have been so much funner If I had. Also make sure you wear closed toe shoes.

Get ready for an adventure! The walk can be hot, so take water. There is none on the dunes. Head the ranger warnings about heat and shoes. It is one of the most spectacular places I have ever been. The pictures don't do it justice!!

Even though my daughter has a concussion, she was still enthusiastic about contouring the dunes! ... FUN TIMES!

There educational program is a coloring book. We were staying in Colorado Springs and decided to drive down for the day, waste of time.