National Park & Preserve · CO
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Great Sand Dunes is quietest in January and February and busiest in July.
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.
461K recreation visits a year on average (2023–2025)
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Pick a month to visit Great Sand Dunes
This week
7-day forecast
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 19 | Overcast | 62°F | 39°F | 3% |
| Tue 20 | Overcast | 60°F | 42°F | 15% |
| Wed 21 | Drizzle | 61°F | 45°F | 64% |
| Thu 22 | Rain showers | 58°F | 48°F | 82% |
| Fri 23 | Drizzle | 58°F | 44°F | 82% |
| Sat 24 | Clear | 53°F | 38°F | 24% |
| Sun 25 | Partly cloudy | 57°F | 39°F | 24% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
Weather
Monthly climate normals
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | — | — | 0.5" |
| February | — | — | 0.4" |
| March | — | — | 0.7" |
| April | — | — | 1.0" |
| May | — | — | 1.0" |
| June | — | — | 0.9" |
| July | — | — | 2.3" |
| August | — | — | 2.0" |
| September | — | — | 1.4" |
| October | — | — | 0.8" |
| November | — | — | 0.4" |
| December | — | — | 0.5" |
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, GREAT SAND DUNES 7.0 SSW, CO US
Know before you go
Fees & hours
- Entrance fee
- $25 — Fees are charged only when the entrance station is open in the spring, summer, and fall seasons or when the visitor center is open in the winter season. Fees can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. Passes may also be purchased in advance online through recreation.gov .
- Hours
- The park and preserve are open 24/7 all year
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Information
Piñon Flats Campground, sites can be reserved 3 months in advance for 2026
Due to the need for improvements in Piñon Flats Campground, sites can be reserved 3 months in advance beginning in 2026.
- Information
Sand 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.
Details on nps.gov → - Caution
Speed Limits are Much Lower Inside Park than Surrounding Highways
Speed 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.
- Information
Great Sand Dunes Currently at Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
As 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.
- Caution
Creek Crossings 3, 4, and 5 Have Deep Water on the Medano Pass Primitive Rd
Update 10-16-2026: The third, fourth, and fifth creek crossings on the 4WD Only Medano Pass Primitive Road have deep water crossings. Motorists are advised to use caution and exercise sound judgement to the capabilities of their vehicle. NOTE: Access remains unaffected for all other paved road destinations such as the visitor center, dunes parking lot, and campground.
Details on nps.gov →
Source: NPS Data API
FAQ
Great Sand Dunes questions
When is the best time to visit Great Sand Dunes?
Great Sand Dunes is least crowded in January, February, and December. July is the busiest month, so visiting outside it means thinner crowds and easier parking.
How much does it cost to visit Great Sand Dunes?
Entrance to Great Sand Dunes costs $25 (Fees are charged only when the entrance station is open in the spring, summer, and fall seasons or when the visitor center is open in the winter season. Fees can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. Passes may also be purchased in advance online through recreation.gov .).
When is Great Sand Dunes busiest?
Great Sand Dunes is busiest in July, when crowds rate 10/10 (peak). Expect full parking lots and longer waits; arrive early or choose a quieter month.
How crowded is Great Sand Dunes during holidays and fee-free days?
Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July) and official NPS fee-free days typically bring peak crowd conditions to Great Sand Dunes. Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM to secure parking and avoid peak trail congestion.