NPS Website; Local Website
WHAT IS IT?Tens of thousands of years of northeastwardly blown sand building along the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The dunes are the highest in North America, some reaching 750 feet, and cover an area of about 30 square miles.
BEAUTY (8/10)
The dunes offer plenty of opportunity for inspiration and reflections. From a distance they have a calming effect. The swiftly moving clouds offer a variety of shadows, the intermittent rainstorms freeze the windswept sand and the changing heights of the sun paint the dunes with myriad shades of yellows, reds, and oranges.
Up close, they are imposing. Especially when the plan is to walk up them. Even while panting, sinking knee deep in sand and having granules whipped against the back of your neck, it is wholly possible to appreciate the dunes’ undulating curves and the smooth crests and ridgelines. There were many times when we just stopped, stared at the dunes and said, “Wow, they’re just amazing”.
HISTORICAL INTEREST (2/10)
Not much happened in this desolate area of Colorado. It is a little bit interesting to realize what the power of constant wind can achieve.
CROWDS (8/10)
Michael hates sand and he tried to be miserable. Everybody at the Site was so happy that he could not help but appreciate the beauty and fun of his surroundings. The campsite was full. All 88 sites. Most of those sites had multiple tents. Families, college kids and their friends, older groups, RVers and vacationers like us all populated the campground with extreme friendliness. Not once did it get to loud. Not once did anyone not respect their neighbor.
EASE OF USE/ACCESS (1/5)
The Great Sand Dunes are in the middle of nowhere. The Park entrance is over 60 miles west of Interstate 25, exit 50 (Walsenburg, Colorado). Walsenburg is 50 miles south of Pueblo and 90 miles south of Colorado Springs.
The Dunes are beautiful and can be appreciated without climbing up them. It is hard to resist he siren call. Once you start climbing, you may wonder why you started at all. It is very difficult and the high altitude does not help. Kids don’t seem to mind. They scurry everywhere.
The Park Service offers use of a big bubble-tired wheelchair that can be used in sand. We saw it in the Visitors Center and were quite intrigued. Our curiosity was not satisfied; we did not see it in action.
CONCESSIONS/BOOKSTORE (3/5)
The Site had an average selection whose quirkiness was enough to catch Michael’s eye. He spent a few minutes leafing through a book titled Bird Brains that discussed with essays and large color pictures the intelligence of ravens, crows and magpies. He also considered picking up a $6 pocket-sized book explaining what to do when certain insects, spiders and ticks bite. Gab found the aisles too narrow and space too scarce. The cramped quarters should change in September when a brand new Visitor Center is set to open.
COSTS (3/5)
Admission is $3 per person. Children, defined here as 16 and under, are free. There is no entry fee if you have the National Parks Pass. Camping is affordable at $12 per site, which is on the low end of NPS campground costs. Backcountry permits are free as is backcountry camping. Good luck. We would not want to lug a tent and back pack through the soft sand and over the dunes
RANGER/GUIDE TO TOURIST RATIO (2/5)
We did not see many Rangers, but then again we did not have many questions. It is a big pile of sand at the base of a mountain, you can go wherever you like and do whatever you want. Their advice is keep track of your kids, wear shoes on the dunes, watch out for lightning and take bear precautions.
TOURS/CLASSES (4/10)
There were a few examples in the old Visitor Center of the interactive displays that will be found at the new Visitor Center. We enjoyed the microscope projector where you could see the intricacies of sand. The majority of the exhibits as well as the film were very old. In a month, this rating could be much different. There was a lot of promise.
There are also two self-guided nature trails and nightly Ranger talks at the campground.
FUN (8/10)
Those who attacked the dunes were happy as clams. Well, everyone except Michael. While near the top of the highest dune, he gasped for air and felt his calves go numb. Two teenagers, one of whom was carrying a giddy dachshund, kindly asked, “Are you OK? Do you need any help?” He either answered yes or no. He does not remember.
We do remember kids gleefully racing around the base of the dunes with pails and shovels. We remember families having a great time, and we saw, with our binoculars, more than a few teenagers snowboarding down the dunes’ steep sides. Imagine that, snowboarding on a hot summer afternoon.
WOULD WE RECOMMEND? (7/10)
The Great Sand Dunes NM is a destination park. Its out-of-the-way location dictates a lot of planning and a strong desire to the see this unique American landmark. Hundreds of people made the trip while we were there. Even if you don’t scale the dunes, there is plenty to do.
TOTAL 46/80
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