Overview

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is in the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado at an elevation of 8,175 feet. The dunes lie on the eastern edge of the valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Range. The dunefield is part of the nearly 150,000 total acres of the park and preserve that also protects alpine lakes, tundra, six peaks over 13,000 feet, ancient spruce and pine forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and wetlands. The park is part of a fragile, dynamic system that influences and sustains the tallest dunes in North America.

President Herbert Hoover established the park unit as a national monument by presidential proclamation on March 17, 1932 through the Antiquities Act. The Works Progress Administration constructed the Superintendent’s Residence, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But otherwise, GRSA did not see a great deal of development during the New Deal. Park development did not occur in earnest until Mission 66.

During this period, the NPS was able to construct a Visitor Center, the Pinon Flat Campground (88 sites), a picnic area, five comfort stations, six single family residences and a triplex, while also building or improving roads and trails through the park. The Visitor Center shows the motivation of the Western Office of Design and Construction to configure designs to corresponding regions using principles of “regional modernism.” Built in the Pueblo Revival style, the Visitor Center mimics adobe construction through modern materials and forms blended with traditional materials and forms seen during the CCC-era in Cecil Doty’s work.

Following Mission 66, Congress designated nearly 91% of the monument as wilderness in 1976, which certainly limited the park’s ability to further develop visitor and administrative facilities. GRSA became a national park and preserve in 2000, which also included a transfer of land from the Rio Grande National Forest.

The dunes have long stood as a landmark for travelers from ancient North Americans to Southern Ute, Jicarilla Apaches, Navajos, early explorers, gold miners, homesteaders, ranchers, farmers and migrant field workers, to you - today's park visitor.

Facilities

Reservations are required to stay in Pinon Flats campground. The campground offers 88 campsites. The park recommends making a reservation in advance, especially for peak summer months from May through September. Private first-come, first-served camping is also available just outside the park boundary. For more information about camping, visit www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/camping.htm.

Due to the historic design, the campground may not be able to accommodate all large, modern size vehicles. Most sites are small and unlevel, review photos and measurements carefully when choosing a site.

During visitor center operating hours, you can see a park film, experience interactive exhibits, speak with a helpful ranger and visit the Western National Parks Association store. Kids of all ages can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet or participate in the Junior Ranger Explorer program.

Natural Features

Recreation

Nearby Attractions

Important Notices

• You must have a reservation to camp at Piñon Flats Campground. First-come, first-serve camping is not available.

• Choose your site carefully. If you arrive in camping equipment that is larger than the site, there will not be an alternative site available and you will have to find accommodation outside the park.

  All tents and gear must fit within established tent pads and/or within rock wall.

• Maximum of 8 people, 2 tents, 2 vehicles per site. Not all sites fit 2 tents or 2 vehicles, a trailer counts as a vehicle. Please see each individual site details, warnings and need to know for specifications.

  There must be at least one adult (18+) staying in each site.

• There is no waiting list for campsites and staff cannot hold available sites at the campground. 

• Total combined length limit is 35 feet. RVs over 35 feet, or combined vehicle plus trailer length over 35 feet, are not allowed in the campground. 

  Trailers, RVs, and Vehicles cannot block the road and must be parked on pavement.

• Generator use is permitted only between the hours of 8-10am, 12-2pm, and 5-7pm.

• Nothing can be attached to any trees or vegetation, to include hammocks, ropes, garbage bags, etc.

• No showers, hookups or laundry facilities available in the park.

• Never leave fires unattended! Extinguish fire with water, not dirt.

  Firewood gathering is prohibited; wood may be purchased at the camp store.

• Utilize bear boxes at all times and keep campsite clean. No food, garbage, or cooking equipment may be left unattended. 

  Picnic tables cannot be moved from one site to another.

• Scooters, skateboards, and inline skates are not permitted in the campground.

  Drones are not permitted anywhere within park boundaries.

  Fireworks are prohibited.

• Pets must be on leash at all times and not left unattended.

  Pick up after pets, dispose of waste properly.

• Group sites are tent-only; no RVs or trailers allowed.

• An entrance pass is required while in the park and is not included in the camping fee.

• For emergencies, dial 911 from your cell phone.

Available Activities

• Amphitheater - Amphitheater
• Hiking - Hiking
• Educational Programs - Educational Programs
• Camping - Camping
• Birding - Birding
• Evening Programs - Evening Programs
• Star Gazing - Star Gazing

Directions

<p>From Highway 160, turn north on Highway 150 and follow for 16 miles to the entrance of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Continue 5 miles north on the park's main road to reach the campground entrance. </p> <p>From Highway 285, turn south onto CO-17 and follow for 36 miles (58 km). Turn east onto Lane 6 and follow for 16 miles (26 km) to Highway 150. Turn north onto Highway 150 and follow for 2.6 miles (4 km) to the entrance of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Continue 5 miles (8 km) north on the park's main road to reach the campground entrance.</p>

Cancellation Policy

<p>This is not a staffed facility. </p> <p>Campground hosts may be available for assistance. Visitors are responsible for knowing their site number and proceeding to the correct site after 2:00 PM. Early check in is not available.</p> <p>A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at the campground during their reservation, and does not cancel their reservation. Because this is an unstaffed location, the site will be held for the duration of the reservation and the visitor will not receive a refund for time not spent in the site. Due to the limited number of sites in Pinon Flats Campground, please cancel or change your reservation if you can not use it, so other campers have an opportunity to stay.</p> <p><a href="https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies" rel="nofollow">Rules and Reservation Policies</a> </p>

Contact Information

Phone: 1-877-444-6777

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip