Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in Colorado, USA. It lies between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the San Luis Valley, situated in southern Colorado, and is famous for its tall sand dunes, unique landscapes, and outdoor activities like sandboarding.
Great Sand Dunes National Park Location Map,Mosca, Colorado
Colorado Maps and Info
Top Attractions Inside Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Great Sand Dunes – Towering sand dunes offering hiking, sandboarding, and striking desert landscapes.
- Medano Creek – Seasonal creek at the base of the dunes ideal for wading and family fun.
- High Dune Trail – Popular trail providing panoramic views of the dunes and surrounding mountains.
- Star Dune – Tallest dune in North America, challenging hike with rewarding views.
- Alamosa & Sangre de Cristo Mountains – Scenic backdrops for photography and wildlife observation.
- Picnic & Camping Areas – Designated spots for day-use and overnight stays within the park.
- Visitor Center – Exhibits on geology, wildlife, and history, plus maps and educational resources.
Great Sand Dunes National Park Facts
| Official Name | Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve |
| Location | Mosca / Alamosa & Saguache Counties, Colorado, USA | ~ 37.75° N, 105.50° W (approx.) |
| Total Area | ~149,028 acres (≈ 602.4 km²) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} |
| Originally Established | March 17, 1932 (as a National Monument) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} |
| Redesignated as National Park & Preserve | September 24, 2004 :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Managed By | U.S. National Park Service (NPS) :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Region | San Luis Valley & Sangre de Cristo Range, Southern Colorado |
| Address / Nearest Town | Mosca, CO 81146, USA (near park entrance) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} |
| Time Zone | Mountain Time (MT) – UTC−7 Standard / UTC−6 Daylight Saving |
| Theme / Concept | Sand dune wilderness, alpine-mountain preserve, desert & mountain ecosystems, high-altitude dune-to-mountain contrast |
| Sections / Areas | Dune Field (sand dunes) – Sand Sheet & Sabkha – Medano & Sand Creeks & Wetlands – Foothill Grasslands & Forests – Alpine Lakes, Meadows & Mountain Slopes (Sangre de Cristo Range) :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} |
| Famous Attractions / Features | Largest sand dunes in North America – Sand dunes up to ~750 ft (≈ 229 m) high – 30 sq mi dune field – Medano Creek (seasonal creek & beach-like play area) – Alpine backcountry & mountain vistas – Rich biodiversity & ecosystems :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} |
| Sand Dune Coverage / Sand Volume | ~30 square miles (≈ 78 km²) dune field, containing ~5 billion cubic meters (~1.2 cubic miles) of sand :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8} |
| Elevation Range | Valley floor ~7,500 ft (≈ 2,287 m) to mountain peaks above 13,000 ft (≈ 3,962 m) in the preserve area :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9} |
| Typical Visitors / Recreation | Hiking / Sandboarding / Sand sledding / Creek-play (Medano Creek) / Hiking to alpine lakes & meadows / Wildlife & nature viewing / Stargazing (low light pollution) :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} |
| Entry / Visitor Info | Park operated by NPS; park & preserve — some areas (dune field, lot) accessible via park entrance near Mosca; visitor center address “11500 Hwy 150, Mosca, CO 81146” :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} |
| Official Website | https://www.nps.gov/grsa |
Distances from Great Sand Dunes National Park to Nearby Landmarks
- Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center – 0 km (0 mi)
- Medano Creek – 1 km (0.6 mi)
- Zapata Falls – 18 km (11.2 mi)
- Sangre de Cristo Mountains – 20 km (12.4 mi)
- Alamosa, CO – 56 km (34.8 mi)
- San Luis Valley – 10 km (6.2 mi)
- Blanca Peak – 25 km (15.5 mi)
- Mount Herard – 22 km (13.7 mi)
- Hooper Dunes – 12 km (7.5 mi)
- Saguache, CO – 50 km (31 mi)
- San Luis State Park – 60 km (37.3 mi)
- Great Sand Dunes Campground – 1 km (0.6 mi)
- Star Dune – 3 km (1.9 mi)
- Medano Pass Primitive Road – 12 km (7.5 mi)
- Sand Creek – 8 km (5 mi)
- Blanca, CO – 35 km (21.7 mi)
- San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area – 55 km (34.2 mi)
- Mount Lindsey – 30 km (18.6 mi)
- South Zapata Lake – 20 km (12.4 mi)
- Great Sand Dunes Lodge – 1 km (0.6 mi)
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