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You can ask anyone who wears the park ranger flat hat if you need any other tips. You can usually find one of us at the visitor center or out on patrol in the park.
NPS
Ranger Tips
For a Safe & Fulfilling Summer Visit
Here are a few tips and tricks for visiting the Great Sand Dunes during the summer season
Drive Carefully - On busier days watch out for rangers to be directing traffic and visitors walking along the roadways. Please drive slowly around pedestrians and follwow ranger instructions for everyone's safety.
Park Outside the White Lines - When parking lots are full, that means there will be vehicles parking along roadways. Make sure ALL FOUR TIRES are outside of the white line to ensure others can pass safely, especially emergency vehicles.
Website Updates & Alerts - Stay informed on conditions such as roads, trails, and building/facility status affecting your visit with the ALERTS section above.
Medano Creek Flow Conditions - The 2026 water year was one of the driest on record for the area. Creek flows are minimal and the water wont flow in the area by the main dunes parking lot. Be sure to check the Current Medano Creek Conditions for the latest information.
Regional Road Conditions - Check with the State of Colorado Road Conditions to be prepared for any road conditions or construction delays.
Wear Closed-Toed Shoes - Sand temperatures during the day can cause burns on bare feet. Be safe and wear shoes or boots during your adventures on the dunes. Check the Sand Temperature Forecast from the National Weather Service
Lightning, Sun and Wind - Check the weather forecast and find out the expected temparatures, wind speeds, and probability of lightning. The Dunes are not a safe place to be during a thunderstorm. Retreat to an indoor space and or your vehicle when thunderstorms are in the area. Goggles can be a handy item during higher wind days.
Sledding and Boarding? - Rent your sleds BEFORE coming to the park – there are NO rentals available inside the park – rental locations available at go.nps.gov/GRSA_Sandboarding Keep your close-toed shoes/boots with you while riding boards so that you can walk on hot sand before and after riding.
Elevation Matters - If you come from lower areas, take it easy and allow your body to adjust to the 8,200-foot elevation
Drink Water & Wear a Hat - Protect yourself from the cold and sun with sunscreen, sunglasses, and DRINK plenty of water. The air is usually very dry in this high elevation semi-desert environment.
Wear Layered Clothing - Be prepared for chilly nights and sunny cool to warm days, windy conditions, or even occassional spring snow showers.
Slow it Down – Speed limits are LOWER than highways outside the park. Adults, children, and wildlife frequest areas near park roads and parking lots. Keep people and wildlife safe and drive the posted speed limit, such as the 30 MPH limit at the park entrance sign or the 10 MPH at the Entrance Station (Fee Booth).
Pack a Picnic – while the visitor center bookstore sells some snacks, that is the only food available within the National Park. Plan ahead and bring everything you expect to need for the day.
Leave it in the Park for Others to Enjoy - Collecting any materials in the park is prohibited, including antlers, rocks, flowers, arrowheads, sand, plants, and other natural and cultural resources. Please see the Laws and Polices for details.
Drones and RC Vehicles – leave drones and other remote-controlled cars or vehicles at home or locked in your vehicle. Drone use is not allowed inside the park.
Don't Feed the Bears! – proper food storage is required by law to keep your food and scented items away from bears and other wildlife. Keep food items inside a vehicle or place items inside the steel locker in your campsite.
Bluetooth Speakers and Sound Systems Disturbances - Leave your tunes in the vehicle or at home. Listen for the natural booming/singing sands of the dunes and allow other visitors that opportunity to experience natural sounds.
Pets - Keep your pets on a leash, and they are allowed in most popular trails and dune areas. More specifics available at Go.nps.gov/GRSA_Pets.
Enjoy this International Dark Sky Park - Great Sand Dunes is open in outdoor areas 24 hours a day. While camping or sleeping in vehicles requires a permit/reservation in a designated campsite, you may enter and visit the park at anytime to enjoy the night skies. Find out more on our Experience the Night Page.
Check here to see what weather conditions includind sand surface temperatores and lightning strike potential that you might need to be prepared for during your visit to Great Sand Dunes.
Medano Creek on average years only flows by the main dunes parking area a few weeks in late spring (mid May to early June). Check here for the latest forecast as information becomes available.
