Great Sand Dunes National Park Cabins

Sublime views over the entire dune field wow spectators on this 2.5 mile hike. Hike on the crests of the ridges for most efficient travel and arrive at sunrise or sunset to see the dramatic shadows and avoid the heat. The walk takes around two hourse to complete.

For a different perspective on the dunes, hike to Dunes Overlook, a trail that takes you 450 feet in elevation and 2.3 miles to spectacular vistas over the mighty sand dunes. Expect the hike to take around two hours.

Hike three miles to the picturesque picnic area at Castle Creek. The trail takes you from Sand Pit and along the sparkling Medano Creek. Allow about an hour and a half for this hike.

Boasting views over the first dune ridge, this leafy trail takes you through whispering forest and takes just thirty minutes to explore. Along the way you will learn about the wildlife and ecology of the park. Grab a guide book from the visitor center.

The star of the show at the Great Sand Dunes National Park is the Star Dune, the largest (and most remote) dune in the park. It stands 755 foot high, making it taller than any dune in North America.

Hike to this twenty foot high waterfall, which shoots through a skinny canyon. The region offers jaw-dropping views of the whole dunefield. It's a half mile hike to the creek, and you will pass through a cave to reach the falls. Since the water is cold, and especially powerful in early summer, watch your step. Hike a ten mile round trip to South Zapata Lake via Ellingwood Peak.

At dawn and dusk, elk, pronghorn and mule deer scamper across the mountainous grasslands of the park. The varied ecosystems in the park provide habitats for a diverse range of animals including coyotes, bobcats and eagles. Observe them in their natural habitats.

You can explore the dunes by moonlight for an ethereal experience like no other. The vast theatre of stars that illuminates the night sky at the park is complimented by owl hoots and the scents of pine, juniper and wildflowers. Special Night Programs include talks and telescope-enhanced stargazing, which generally take place during the summer months.

Your family have never experienced a sandbox quite like the Great Sand Dunes National Park. There are few places on earth where these activities are even possible, and Great Sand Dunes is one of the world's most picturesque playgrounds. Children yelp with joy as they race down the sand dunes in sleds and on boards. Pick up your gear 32 miles west of the Hooper Visitor Center.

After all that arid desert, the opportunity to take a dip in a swimming pool seems like it might be a mirage. Private swimming lessons for little ones are offered year round at the pool and older visitors can take part in Aqua Yoga classes in this serene setting.

A great day or overnight hike, the Medano Lake Trailhead is only accessible by ATV. The eight mile round trip transports you 2000 feet in elevation, culminating in dramatic panoramic views from the summit of Mount Herard. Look out over the entire dunefield and the sparkling Upper Sand Creek Lake. Medano Creek is seasonal and especially popular with children.