Wildlife Viewing

The many habitats found in Great Sand Dunes National Park make for a super diverse place to see wildlife. You'll find black bears and bighorn sheep in the forests and alpine tundra high above the dunes, and mule deer and antelope in the grasslands below. Peregrine falcons and pygmy owls frequent the skies and the trees. Additionally, a species of cutthroat trout call Medano Creek home. Smaller mammals like squirrels and mountain bluebirds are most common. Don't expect to see much wildlife in the dunes, at least during the day: those looking to spot animals generally must venture into the mountains or the grasslands.