Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Dunefield, foothill, forest, and alpine routes beneath the Sangre de Cristo Range.
Use the sections and guides below to explore this subject in a clear, practical order.
Explore Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Zapata Falls Trail
Plan Zapata Falls Trail in Great Sand Dunes with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideWellington Ditch Trail
Plan Wellington Ditch Trail in Great Sand Dunes with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideSand Sheet Loop
Plan Sand Sheet Loop in Great Sand Dunes with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideMusic Pass Trail
Plan Music Pass Trail in Great Sand Dunes with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideSand Creek Lakes Trail
Plan Sand Creek Lakes Trail in Great Sand Dunes with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideLittle Medano Creek Trail
Plan Little Medano Creek Trail in Great Sand Dunes with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideHerard Cabin Trail
Plan Herard Cabin Trail in Great Sand Dunes with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideMedano Pass Primitive Road Walk
Plan Medano Pass Primitive Road Walk in Great Sand Dunes with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideCastle Creek Dunes Route
Plan Castle Creek Dunes Route in Great Sand Dunes with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideDry Lakes Trail
Plan Dry Lakes Trail in Great Sand Dunes with trailhead checks, route character, hazards, pacing, and return-trip decisions.
Read this guideHigh Dune on First Ridge
A direct but shifting climb to a high first-ridge dune with a view across the entire dunefield.
Read this guideMontville Nature Trail
A shaded foothill loop with settlement history and elevated views of the dunes and valley.
Read this guideMosca Pass Trail
A forested climb along Mosca Creek to a historic pass in the Sangre de Cristo foothills.
Read this guideDunes Overlook Trail
A foothill trail to a broad overlook of the main dunefield, Medano Creek, and valley.
Read this guideMedano Lake Trail
A steep alpine climb through forest to a high lake beneath Mount Herard.
Read this guideStar Dune Route
A demanding cross-dune route to one of the tallest dunes in North America, with constant route choice over loose sand.
Read this guideMedano Creek and Dunes Walk
A flexible walk along seasonal Medano Creek and onto the lower dunes for broad views of the dune field and mountains.
Read this guideSand Ramp Trail Short Hike
A quieter hike along the forested edge of the dunefield with changing views between pinyon-juniper slopes and open sand.
Read this guideDunes Backcountry Loop via Sand Ramp Trail
A long wilderness-style circuit crossing the dunefield and returning along Sand Ramp Trail.
Read this guideBuck Creek Trail
A forested foothill and mountain route offering a cooler alternative to the open dunes.
Read this guide