Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
2 campgrounds in the park · 108 nearby · 96 free and dispersed sites within 50 mi
Photo: NPS/Patrick Myers
4 current alerts
As of Sep 20, 2026 · from nps.gov
- InformationGreat Sand Dunes Currently at Stage 1 Fire RestrictionsAs of August 18th, Great Sand Dunes is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. All wood and charcoal fires must be in established fire rings in designated campsites or picnic sites. No other open fires are allowed. Fires MUST BE put out COLD before leaving your site and must not be left unattended. camp stoves and other pressurized gas devices allowed.
- CautionSpeed Limits are Much Lower Inside Park than Surrounding HighwaysSpeed limits for the park include 30 MPH near the park boundary and Great Sand Dunes Sign, and as low as 10 MPH near the Headquarters and Entrance Station. Speed limits are in place to protect park visitors, pedestrians, and wildlife in the park. Please drive carefully and responsibly.
- InformationSand Board and Sand Sled Rentals Not Available In Park.Sand boarding and sand sled rentals are located in local communities surrounding the park. Visitors are encouraged to arrange rentals BEFORE coming to the park.
- InformationPiñon Flats Campground, sites can be reserved 3 months in advance for 2026Due to the need for improvements in Piñon Flats Campground, sites can be reserved 3 months in advance beginning in 2026.
At a glance
- Entrance
- $25 per vehicle
- Open
- Year-round
- In the park
- 2 campgrounds1 reserve on Recreation.gov
- Near the park
- 108 campgroundsWithin 50 mi
- Free and dispersed
- 96 sitesWithin 50 mi
- Annual pass
- $45Great Sand Dunes only
Where to camp
Camping in the park 2
Camping near the park 108
- Public Land
Duncan Cabin
5.8 mi · Crestone, CO
- Aerial viewRV Park
Great Sand Dunes Oasis
7.4 mi · Mosca-Hooper, CO
Free and dispersed nearby 96
See them on the map- Little Medano CampsiteSaguache, CO5.1 mi
- Camp siteGardner, CO8.7 mi
- Camp siteGardner, CO9.4 mi
- MedanoGardner, CO11 mi
- Camp siteGardner, CO11 mi
- Camp siteGardner, CO11 mi
Services nearby: 4 dump stations · 1 rest area
About Great Sand Dunes
The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless night to experience countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park! Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a…
The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless night to experience countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park! Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year-round. There are no timed entries or reservations to visit.
Photos: NPS/Patrick Myers · NPS/Kris Illenberger
Things to do
- Arts and Culture
- Craft Demonstrations
- Live Music
- Auto and ATV
- Auto Off-Roading
- Astronomy
- Stargazing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
Plan your visit
Getting there
To access the main park area, including the Dunes Parking Lot, Visitor Center, and Pinon Flats Campground, take US 160 to CO 150 from the south, or CO 17 to Lane 6 to CO 150 from the west. The national park is at the…
Weather
Temperatures are relatively cool all year at the park elevation 8000 ft. Conditions are most often calm, but winds can arise, especially in spring and during storm fronts. Daytime temperatures feel warmer here year…
Plan your visit
Fees and passes
- Private vehicle$25
- Motorcycle, 7 days$20
- Per person$15
- Great Sand Dunes annual pass$45
Hours
The park and preserve are open 24/7 all year
Getting there
To access the main park area, including the Dunes Parking Lot, Visitor Center, and Pinon Flats Campground, take US 160 to CO 150 from the south, or CO 17 to Lane 6 to CO 150 from the west. The national park is at the north end of CO 150.
Weather
Temperatures are relatively cool all year at the park elevation 8000 ft. Conditions are most often calm, but winds can arise, especially in spring and during storm fronts. Daytime temperatures feel warmer here year round due to intense high-altitude sunlight, and mid-day summer sand surface temps can be 160 degrees F! Plan to explore the dunes morning or evening during summer. Nights are cool in summer, and frigid in winter. Visit https://nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/weather.htm for details
Camped at Great Sand Dunes? You could be the first to say which site you'd pick again.
Reviews, photos and cell signal reports from real stays help the next camper choose between Pinon Flats Campground and Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites.