Overview

Sand sledding is certainly the most unique activity available at Great Sand Dunes National Park, but far from the only thing to do on a visit to the tallest sand dunes in North America. Located in Southern Colorado in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the park's 30 miles of dunes, some reaching 750 feet high, can be hiked in the mornings or late afternoon (to avoid the scorching midday sun); bring along a snowboard after a recent rain to try sand sledding. In the springtime, you can cool off with a dip in Medano Creek. Visitors can also camp in the dunes or venture further in the park to explore mountain lakes and tundra, spruce and pine forests, grasslands, wetlands, and a half dozen peaks towering more than 13,000 feet. Hiking options include the Mosca Pass Trail, which follows an old wagon road, and the Medano Lake Trail, which starts at 10,000 feet and leads to an alpine lake.