I had so much fun camping in this national park! Wonderful sand dunes to play around and great camp sites. It gets pretty cold at night, even if it's summer, so bring some extra blankets. Beautiful sunsets too....just amazing colors over the dunes.

We visited the Great Sand Dunes August 13th as part of a Colorado driving vacation. I would highly recommend you visit, even though the park is somewhat off the beaten path (more on that later).

As you approach the park, it is a strange site to see sand dunes rising to a height of 500+ feet. The visitors area is simple and informative, but the real experience is to get out on the dunes and go climbing. There is something very compelling about the chance to climb as high as your energy level permits. I went further then I expected, and found the experience most gratifying.

Several things to remember: The dunes distorts your perspective - everything is further away than it seems, so save enough strength to get back. Bring water on the climb, as you'll need it. Make your way up on the ridges of the dunes. This will not be the most direct route, but it is the easiest walking. Prepare for sand to work its way into everything. Your shoes will quickly fill up with sand, and you should be careful to protect cameras, etc.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Be careful with the altitude. This was the first place on our Colorado trip that we realized that we had to be very careful with one of my sons, as he experienced some altitude sickness.

TOURING SUGGESTION: People might be deterred from going to the Dunes because they think it's out of the way. However, it's easy to combine the Dunes into the rest of a driving tour. Denver was our first stop in Colorado, we stayed there on a Friday night, visited the Royal Gorge on Saturday, then stayed in Pueblo Saturday night. The Dunes were an easy and scenic drive from Pueblo on Sunday. After we left the Dunes in the early afternoon on Sunday, we drove west all the way to Durango, a lovely drive that takes you over the Continental Divide at Wolf Creek Pass.

My husband and I spent part of our honeymoon at the Sand Dunes 31 years ago and have since made camping trips there just about every year with our two boys, who are now all grown up. We never tire of going there and it is a must visit everytime we go to Colorado for vacation each summer.
We've been there when the creek is fully flowing. And if it's as dry as a bone, there's still always something to do around the valley.
We've endured some extremely windy times, but have also enjoyed the still, clear, crispness of the awesome San Luis Valley in which the park lies. The quietness is incredible. Plus, I can't leave out the fun and very interesting camp talks the rangers give at the ampitheator.
Everytime we go back, we dread the moment we have to pack up and leave to go home. I think we could probably live there.
The Sand Dunes has always been a very special place for my whole family, since my husband as a child even went there with his parents.
So, it looks like we may be starting a family tradition, because I'm sure our boys will continue going there with their families when the time comes.
I am anxiously awaiting next summer when we can get back out there again.

Spent 2 days at the park and had a fantastic time. Stayed at the lodge just ouside the park, really handy its only 5 minutes from the dunes. The three kids had a blast playing in Mendano Creek for over three hours each day. It rained each evening which made climbing the dunes really easy on the wet packed sand . We climbed to the High Dune the evening of the first day to enjoy an awesome sunset. And the morning on the next. If the sand is wet it only takes a little over an hour. If the sand is dry 2-3 hours. If you go in the morning leave no later than 8 A.M. unless it is cloudy to avoid the heat. Don't miss Zapata Falls its awesome! Make sure you have shoes or sandals to wade the stream or you cant get to it. After we got back from our trip that included Rocky Mountain National Park, the Royal Gorge, whitewater rafting, mine tours, go carts, I asked the kids ages 7,11,12 what their favorite part of the trip was. All said it was the Great Sand Dunes. Turned out I could have saved alot of money and let them climb on the dunes and play in the creek and they would have been happy. My favorite part was the view from the dune top and hiking up with the kids. In the early morning and the late evening we had the dunes almost to ourselves unlike the massive crowds at most National Parks you go to. If you are wanting to camp get there before noon , campsites are limited and fill quickly. Word of warning. If you are the type that likes the crowded shopping tourist places like Estes Park and relaxation and quiet are not for you then you will not like Great Sand Dunes. To me however that was part of what made it special.