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| View of the dunes as you enter the park |
1. Sand Boarding or Sledding
2. Primitive Road Drive
3. Dunes Overlook Trail
4. Dinner at the Oasis
5. Night Hike to High Dune
SPECIAL THINGS YOU'LL NEED:
- Packed lunch
- Water shoes or socks for sand
- Head lamp or flashlight
- Bug spray
- Water
ITINERARY:
If visiting in the summer, arrive as early as possible to make the most of the sand before it gets unbearably hot (and the afternoon thundershowers arrive). Before you get to the park, stop at the Great Sand Dunes Oasis store, where you can rent sand boards and sand sleds for a flat day rate. When I visited, I was told that sand boarding was closer to wakeboarding than snowboarding. I agree with that - I felt like I had much less speed control or ability to use the board's edges compared to snowboarding. That being said, sand boarding was one of a kind, so I recommend it for those with wakeboarding/snowboarding experience. If you are less experienced, or you would like a more leisurely ride, the sleds are an excellent way to go. You must hike up the sand for every ride down, so you're better off enjoying your rides on a sled than wasting your effort falling every time on a sand board.
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| Sand boarding on the dunes |
The dunes will appear small as you drive up, but it's hard to comprehend how large they actually are from so far away. Park at the Visitor's Center and walk out towards the dunes. Most families and groups post up close to the Medano Creek, which is beautifully refreshing if you can catch it in the summer before it stops flowing for the season. Because of this creek, mosquitoes and other bugs are prevalent here, so bug spray is a must. From here, those who are sand boarding and sledding (or those who would like to climb the dunes) can make the trek over to them. In the summer, the sand can burn your feet, so you will need to wear preferably water shoes or socks if you don't have those. I wore socks, and the sand still burnt my feet through my socks by midday.
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| Medano Creek in late June |
Hiking up sand dunes can be tiring, especially if you are still adjusting to the altitude like I was. Start with small dunes with the boards/sleds, and then work your way up. For optimal speed, you will have to wax the board between every run. But don't be afraid to fall - the sand is pretty gentle. When you've gotten your fill of the dunes and the hot sand, head back to your base camp by the creek or at the Visitor's Center to enjoy your packed lunch.
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| Small cacti on the Dunes Overlook trail |
After lunch, during the heaviest heat of the day, take a drive along the park road past the visitor center. The road becomes a primitive road (not paved) after the Pinon Flats campground, but most cars can still manage just fine up to the Point of No Return, which you should not pass unless you have 4WD because the sand gets so deep. I was in a sudan that did not have 4WD, and I actually got a little stuck in the sand trying to turn around at the Point of No Return parking lot.
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| Dunes Overlook viewpoint |
After your drive, choose a short hike for the afternoon. I highly recommend the Dunes Overlook trail, which leaves from the Pinon Campground (there is ample parking onsite). The Dunes Overlook trail is 2.3 miles roundtrip and usually takes about 2 hours. There is gorgeous fauna along the way, will groves of small cacti. The overlook provides quite a picturesque view of the first ridge of dunes. Remember to pack water, especially if you're hiking in the summer.
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| Sunset over the dunes and Medano Creek |
After your hike, take a drive back to the Oasis store to return your boards/sleds. Stop in the little restaurant attached to store for a delicious warm meal while you wait for the sun to drop - I recommend the Navajo tacos with green chile on top.
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| View from the dunes at dusk |
After dinner, head back to the dunes and set out for a hike up to High Dune (or as high as you would like). There is no single path up, so create your own as you watch the sunset. There are multiple false summits, so take your time and enjoy the stillness of nightfall. You'll likely be hiking back under bright moonlight or a sky full of stars.
Time of year visited: June.
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