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Plan Around Star Dune
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Star Dune Details
Star Dune is the tallest dune in Great Sand Dunes Park and also the tallest dune in North America. The exact location and elevation vary slightly due to the amount of loose sand that wind carries on (and off) of the dunes, but the latest measurements indicate that Star Dune stands at an elevation of 8,617 feet and is 750 feet tall. High Dune is at a higher elevation, but Star Dune has a larger prominence (an extra 100 feet of height due to the slope of the valley floor). The dune is named for its star shape: complex wind patterns create a radially symmetrical pattern that stems from the center of the mound. Because of this, the dune grows upward rather than laterally.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
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Nearby Parks Around Star Dune
Compare nearby parks around Star Dune when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Star Dune
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Star Dune while the map context is still fresh.
1.4 mi away
High Dune
The most visibly prominent dune in the park rises 650 feet off the valley floor.
2.4 mi away
Castle Creek Trail
A 2.5-mile trail that leads to some impressively steep sand slopes.
2.4 mi away
Medano Creek
This land-locked state may not be known for sandy shoreline, but this area in the Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the coolest natural beaches around.
2.4 mi away
Dunes Parking Area
This is the best place to park your car for access to the dunes.
