Great Sand Dunes National Park
Standing at the edge of Great Sand Dunes National Park, it’s hard to comprehend just how massive these dunes really are. Rising dramatically against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, with some towering more than 700 feet above the valley floor. What makes this landscape even more fascinating is that it is constantly changing. Wind, weather, and seasonal conditions continually reshape the dunes, creating new ridges, ripples, and patterns almost every day. No two visits are ever exactly the same, making each experience uniquely its own.
With such an incredible natural playground in front of us, there was only one thing left to do—grab a sand sled and see what all the hype was about.
Renting a Sand Sled
Before entering the park, we stopped at The Oasis Store, located just outside the park entrance, and rented a sand sled for $20. If you’re planning to sled, this is one of the easiest places to rent equipment since sled rentals aren’t available inside the national park.
With sled in hand, we headed toward the dunes.
The Walk Is Harder Than It Looks
One thing that photos don’t prepare you for is the hike from the parking lot.
The trek across the loose sand felt much longer than we expected. Every step forward seemed to slide half a step backward, and by the time we reached the base of the larger dunes, we were already out of breath. If you’re visiting during the summer, be sure to bring plenty of water and wear footwear that can handle extremely hot sand.
Then came the climb.
Every dune looked small from below, but climbing even the smaller ones quickly became a workout. The loose sand makes every step challenging, and the higher you go, the steeper it feels.
Sand Sledding (and Lots of Photos)
After finally making it to the top of a few smaller dunes, it was time for the fun part.
We took turns sliding down the sand while trying our best to avoid wiping out. The sled definitely worked, although getting back to the top after each run was another story! Like most of our adventures, we probably spent just as much time taking photos as we did actually sledding.
The views from the dunes are incredible, with mountains surrounding the park in nearly every direction. It’s one of the most unique landscapes we’ve seen in Colorado.
Was It Worth It?
After a couple of hours of climbing, sliding, and battling the sand, we were officially exhausted. Sand was everywhere—in our shoes, clothes, backpacks, and somehow even our camera gear.
We made the long trek back across the sand to the Visitor Center, snapped one last photo of the dunes, and rewarded ourselves with simple PB&J sandwiches before getting back on the road.
On our way out, we returned the sled to The Oasis Store and began the 2-hour, 45-minute drive to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, our next stop on this Colorado road trip.
Travel Tip
- Rent your sled before entering the park if you plan to sand sled.
- Visit early in the morning or later in the evening during summer to avoid scorching sand temperatures.
- Bring more water than you think you’ll need.
- Wear sunglasses—the blowing sand can be intense on windy days.
- Be prepared for a surprisingly strenuous hike, even if you’re only planning to climb a few dunes.
- Pack a picnic! The Visitor Center is a great place to relax before continuing your road trip.
Final Thoughts
Great Sand Dunes National Park is unlike anywhere else we’ve visited. While sand sledding was fun, the experience is definitely more physically demanding than it appears in photos. If you go in knowing you’ll get a serious workout, you’ll appreciate the incredible scenery and unique adventure that comes with exploring these massive dunes.
