Great Sand Dunes
Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado features North America’s tallest dunes—which rise up to 750 feet above the surrounding valley. Visitors come to sandboard, sleigh on Medano Creek, and hike the dune field; nearby towns like Alamosa and Mosca serve as gateways. The park’s backdrop includes the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and settings for seasonal events and sand-based recreation.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Western United States |
| Subregion | Rocky Mountains |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Alamosa County |
| District | Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve |
| City | Mosca |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 37.7356 |
| Longitude | -105.5951 |
| Maps |
12:58 PM LOCAL TIMEGreat Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve forms a vast inland dune field at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado, where ramps of shifting sand rise as high as 750 feet (230 meters). The dunes spill across a broad valley, fed seasonally by Medano Creek—a highlight for kids with tide-like flows and splash zones—and surrounded by tundra and montane forests. To access the dunes, drive to the park from Alamosa or Mosca; activities range from sandboarding and sledding (bring a waterproof sledge for Medano Creek) to night sky stargazing with parks passes. Trails extend into the surrounding national preserve, and facilities such as visitor centers and campsites support day-trippers and overnight stays.
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