The Great Sand Dunes National Park is 19,000 acres of sand-in-your-pants fun located in the southeastern part of Colorado near Alamosa. The highest dune, known as Star Dune, is an impressive 750 feet tall. High Dune, the highest dune seen from the visitors center, is about 699 feet tall, which took Heath and I about 2 hours of hiking to the top, all while being sandblasted by the wind and taking breaks to get the sand out of our shoes. The breathtaking view from the top makes the hours of cleaning sand out of your tent worth it. Or it could have just been the sand in our mouths.
To reach the Sand Dunes, crossing the Medano Creek is required. Whether you get your feet wet or not, though, depends on the time of the year and how much snow is melting of the mountains nearby. If you like to play in the water, plan your trip for the springtime.
If you go, be sure to rent a sand board (or two) from the shop up the street. While being a pain to carry all the way to the top, these boards provide a an awesome ride down. We used it as both a sled and a sandboard. Be sure to pack wet wipes as well–you will surely have sand in every crevice (EVERY CREVICE) of your body. Make sure to take sun protection seriously, and don’t forget about the bottoms of your feet. Wear shoes to prevent your feet from getting burnt by hot sand.
The campgrounds next to the Dunes provide a great oasis from the blowing sand. Just a small hike away, these campsites offer a good night’s rest before making the hike. The shop down the road provides anything you should need.
Outdoor Venture 