Great Sand Dunes NP
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve protects towering dunes and the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Range—epic for sand sledding, riverplay, and mountain views.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Rocky Mountain States |
| Subregion | Central Rockies |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Alamosa County |
| District | Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 37.6333 |
| Longitude | -105.5108 |
| Maps |
12:56 PM LOCAL TIMEGreat Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a must-visit alpine desert landscape where the tallest dunes in North America rise above rushing creeks and mountain forests. The main feature, the _Oasis of the Great Sand Dunes, is a vast basin of wind-shaped sand that offers **sand sledding**, **sandboarding**, and expansive play areas. Nearby the Medano Creek corridor flows seasonally and is famed for **mudpools**, **wave-like water flow**, and family-friendly **wading** in warm months. The park is set against the dramatic backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo_ Range, with high-altitude trails, wildflower-covered uplands, and alpine lakes providing quieter maritime contrasts. Activities like backcountry camping, river fishing on the San Luis Valley floor, and seasonal snowmelt access make the park a multi-season destination—but check conditions and use caution on dune slopes and swift creeks.
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