The dunes and Sangre de Cristo mountains in October
NPS/Patrick Myers
Welcome to Great Sand Dunes!
Exploring Dunes, Grasslands, Forests, Lakes, and Alpine Peaks
Many visitors are surprised at the huge size and diversity of this park, and wish they had planned more time. Plan your visit to experience at least two or three ecosystems during your stay to have the most fulfilling visit. Discover Things to Do and how to experience them. View a Map of Permitted Pet Areas.
Visitor Center 11999 State Highway 150 Mosca, CO81146
To access the main park area, including the Dunes Parking Lot, Visitor Center, and Pinon Flats Campground, take US 160 to CO 150 from the south, or CO 17 to Lane 6 to CO 150 from the west. The national park is at the north end of CO 150.
While the park is open 24 hours, the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center is open daily except for the following Holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day. Be sure to check Alerts and Conditions for any emergent closures due to weather or other circumstances
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Great Sand Dunes Peak Season Visitor Center Hours
May 26–September 1
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center is Open between 9 am and 5 pm Between Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Memorial Day
May 26, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Juneteenth National Independence Day
June 19, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Independence Day
July 4, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Labor Day
September 1, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Temperatures are relatively cool all year at the park elevation 8000 ft. Conditions are most often calm, but winds can arise, especially in spring and during storm fronts. Daytime temperatures feel warmer here year round due to intense high-altitude sunlight, and mid-day summer sand surface temps can be 160 degrees F! Plan to explore the dunes morning or evening during summer. Nights are cool in summer, and frigid in winter. Visit https://nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/weather.htm for details
The visitor center offers restrooms, a water fill station, interactive exhibits, and a 20-minute video about the park. Park rangers are available to answer questions and help you plan your time.
Every Day:9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Standard visitor center hours are 9-4:30 daily. Open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Open 9-5 daily Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Call 719-378-6395 for the latest hours and information.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Summer Hours
May 26–September 1
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
The visitor center is open 9-5 daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Purchase park passes at the Entrance Station, located on the main entrance road. Entrance Station hours are variable depending on the season and day, but are generally open during standard business hours in warmer months.
Every Day:12:00 AM–12:00 AM
The Entrance Station is most days in the busy season from May through September, and intermittent hours at other times of year. Hours may vary each day. Call the Fee Manager at 719-378-6352 for hours on the day you plan to visit.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Holidays and Winter Season
November 1–February 28
Every Day:Closed
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Open intermittently in winter months.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Public WiFi is not available.
The Great Sand Dunes and Sangre de Cristo Mountains are relatively remote wilderness areas, with limited connectivity to mobile phone service, and no wi-fi in or near the park.
Some users generally find a signal in the main visitor area of the national park (Visitor Center, Campground, and Dunefield), as long as you have an open view of the valley floor and Alamosa. Signal and bandwidth tends to be less reliable during busy or crowded conditions.
