What is the best time to visit sand dunes National Park?
If seeing Colorado wildflowers is a priority, the best time to visit is June or July. The Sand Creek Lakes hike is supposed to be beautiful at that time. If lots of hiking is your idea of a perfect trip, I think late spring or early fall are the best times to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park.
What should I wear to sand dunes National Park?
Bring a hat, gloves, wool socks, and a warm jacket for the night year round, because temperatures can drop. For sun and sand protection, pack a sun hat, sun gloves, sunglasses, long-sleeve shirt with UPF sun protection, and a bandana or lightweight face and neck cover like a Buff or Discrete neck buff.
How hot is the sand at Great Sand Dunes National Park?
In summer, daytime high temperatures average 75-80 degrees F. However, sand surface temperatures can soar to 150 degrees F on sunny summer afternoons.
Is it always windy at Great Sand Dunes National Park?
Though the dunes don’t get too hot on April afternoons, wind is common. Plan to experience the dunes in the morning to avoid the highest winds.
Is Great Sand Dunes National Park open in winter?
Winter at Great Sand Dunes offers solitude, natural quiet, and incredibly clear day and night skies. The Visitor Center is open every day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except federal holidays in winter. Longer hours may exist in spring, summer, and fall. Call (719) 378-6399 to reach a ranger at the Visitor Center.
Is Great Sand Dunes worth seeing?
750 foot tall dunes rise out of the base of mountains in southern Colorado are well worth your time to visit and are a spectacle to behold. We parked at the Dunes Parking area, crossed a very shallow creek and hiked as far as time would allow. Kids were using snow boards on high dunes and that was a fun thing to watch.
Is Medano Creek dry?
The Medano Creek bed is dry at the main Dunes Parking Area.
Does it rain at Great Sand Dunes?
The Great Sand Dunes receive an average annual precipitation of 11 inches including an average snowfall of 37 inches. The town of Alamosa, approximately 35 miles southwest of the dunes receives only seven inches of annual precipitation.
How many hours do you need in Great Sand Dunes?
Plan to spend at least 2-3+ hours at the dunes.
Can you drive through the Great Sand Dunes National Park?
You may take a street-licensed, high-clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road, which goes around the eastern edge of the dunes then over a 10,000′ mountain pass. The road is soft and sandy in the dunes area, then forested and rocky with stream crossings in the mountain portion.
Is Great Sand Dunes National Park Safe?
There have been no reported mountain lion attacks at Great Sand Dunes, but it’s wise to stay alert when walking in their habitat. Always hike together as a group; children should not run ahead.