Ranger Program Schedule
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All programs are outdoors and weather dependent. Other than guided hikes, there are no reservations or sign-ups for programs.
Friday, July 12
10:00am Ranger Program: Ranger’s Choice. Discover unique aspects of the dunes and the park’s diverse wildlife. Visitor Center, 20 minutes.
1:30pm Ranger Program: The Mystery of the Sands & Native American People. Join us as we discuss how the dunes formed and learn about the people who survived here. Visitor center, 15 minutes.
8:45pm Evening Ranger Program: Stars Above the Sand. There are more stars than grains of sand! From dunes in our solar system to the newest images from the James Webb Space Telescope, we’ll explore the unexpected wonders of the universe and touch small pieces of the Moon and Mars! Amphitheater, 35-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
Saturday, July 13
10:00am Guided Hike: To Know the Dune is to BE the Dune. A short informative hike to the dunes brings one closer to the essence of what Great Sand Dunes is all about. Meet at Dunes Parking. 40 minutes.
8:45pm Evening Ranger Program: Eye Shine. At night, nocturnal animals’ eyes reflect even small amounts of light. This phenomenon gives us insights into the lives of these creatures. Amphitheater, 30-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
Sunday, July 14
1:30pm Touch Table: Animal Adventures. Discover the diverse wildlife found in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve through antlers, claws, and other hands-on objects. Visitor Center, 30 minutes.
8:45pm Evening Ranger Program: Eye Shine. At night, nocturnal animals’ eyes reflect even small amounts of light. This phenomenon gives us insights into the lives of these creatures. Amphitheater, 30-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
Monday, July 15
10:00am Guided Hike: Tale of the Plants and Trees. The stories that the plants and rocks hold have immersive stories that relate resilience of the forest to everyday life. Step in the past and see how Native American people were able to survive here using medicinal plants and herbs. The hike is ½ mile (0.8 km). Please have closed-toe shoes, water, and insect repellant. Sign up in advance at the visitor center or call 719-378-6395. Meet at Montville Trailhead. 1 hour.
1:30pm Ranger Program: The Singing Sands. The Great Sand Dunes are a symphony of geological and animal sounds! Discover how the Great Sand Dunes were formed while making the wild sounds found in the park. Fun for all ages! Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
Tuesday, July 16
10:00am Ranger Program: Dunes Dance Moves. The formation of the Great Sand Dunes can be portrayed and felt through simple dance moves. Learn how the dunes were formed as you make these moves along with a ranger! Fun for all ages. Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
1:30pm Ranger Program: Ecosystem Exploration. Come learn about the many diverse ecosystems found within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, as well as the unique wildlife that inhabits them!Visitor Center, 15-30 minutes.
Wednesday, July 17
10:00am Guided Hike: To Know the Dune is to BE the Dune. A short informative hike to the dunes brings one closer to the essence of what Great Sand Dunes is all about. Meet at Dunes Parking. 40 minutes.
1:30pm Touch Table: Animal Adventures. Discover the diverse wildlife found in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve through antlers, claws, and other hands-on objects. Visitor Center, 30 minutes.
Thursday, July 18
10:00am Ranger Program: Nature’s Wild Wiggles. Come join a ranger and experience the benefits of nature for your body and mind. Come prepared with water, something to lay on, and to act silly. Meet at Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.
1:30pm Touch Table: Discover unique aspects of the dunes and the park’s diverse wildlife through antlers, claws, and other hands-on objects. Visitor Center, 30 minutes.
Friday, July 19
10:00am Ranger Program: Pika Power. Living in alpine tundra is extreme, but pikas have proven to be the ultimate survivors. Join a ranger to learn about their adaptations and the new challenges they face. Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
11:30am Ranger Program: Forget What You Know About Fire. Wildfire can be a terrifying occurrence that threatens the natural and human-built places we love. But what if our fear of fire made it worse? Come learn about the new science of fire ecology and our future with this force of nature! Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
1:30pm Ranger Program: The Rings of History. Trees are the longest living organism in the park and are great storytellers of history. Come learn how to tell their stories and create your own. Visitor center, 15 minutes.
3:30pm Special Event: Dutch Heritage of the San Luis Valley. Descendants of the original Dutch settlers here will share the stories, traditional culture and unique artforms. They will have Dutch items on display, and Dutch treats called Stroopwafels, made in Holland, for all who would like one! Visitor Center, 1 hour.
8:45pm Evening Ranger Program: Stars Above the Sand. There are more stars than grains of sand! From dunes in our solar system to the newest images from the James Webb Space Telescope, we’ll explore the unexpected wonders of the universe and touch small pieces of the Moon and Mars! Amphitheater, 35-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
Saturday, July 20
10:00am Guided Hike: Tale of the Plants and Trees. The stories that the plants and rocks hold have immersive stories that relate resilience of the forest to everyday life. Step in the past and see how Native American people were able to survive here using medicinal plants and herbs. The hike is ½ mile (0.8 km). Please have closed-toe shoes, water, and insect repellant. Sign up in advance at the visitor center or call 719-378-6395. Meet at Montville Trailhead. 1 hour.
11:30am Ranger Program: Forget What You Know About Fire. Wildfire can be a terrifying occurrence that threatens the natural and human-built places we love. But what if our fear of fire made it worse? Come learn about the new science of fire ecology and our future with this force of nature! Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
1:30pm Ranger Program: Life After the Flames: Wildfires and Ecological Succession. Discover the dynamic interplay between wildfires and ecological renewal. Visitor Center, 45 minutes.
8:45pm Evening Ranger Program: Bats: The Forgotten Pollinator. Bats have been working hard under the cover of night to help pollinate and save foods that we love. Now it is our time to save them. How can we help them soar back to normal populations? Amphitheater, 35-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
Sunday, July 21
10:00am Ranger-Guided Hike: Guardians of the Dunes. Trees from the top of the mountains to the creeks by the dunes have helped watch over the park. Join a ranger on a ½ mile guided hike and explore together how each species of trees help protect the lands around the dunes. Please have closed-toe shoes, water, and insect repellant. Sign up in advance at the visitor center or call 719-378-6395. Meet at Montville Trailhead. 1 hour.
1:30pm Touch Table: Animal Adventures. Discover the diverse wildlife found in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve through antlers, claws, and other hands-on objects. Visitor Center, 30 minutes.
8:45pm Evening Ranger Program: Eye Shine. At night, nocturnal animals’ eyes reflect even small amounts of light. This phenomenon gives us insights into the lives of these creatures. Amphitheater, 30-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
Monday, July 22
10:00am Guided Hike: Tale of the Plants and Trees. The stories that the plants and rocks hold have immersive stories that relate resilience of the forest to everyday life. Step in the past and see how Native American people were able to survive here using medicinal plants and herbs. The hike is ½ mile (0.8 km). Please have closed-toe shoes, water, and insect repellant. Sign up in advance at the visitor center or call 719-378-6395. Meet at Montville Trailhead. 1 hour.
1:30pm Ranger Program: Pika Power. Living in alpine tundra is extreme, but pikas have proven to be the ultimate survivors. Join a ranger to learn about their adaptations and the new challenges they face. Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
Tuesday, July 23
10:00am Ranger Program: Ecosystem Exploration. Come learn about the many diverse ecosystems found within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, as well as the unique wildlife that inhabits them!Visitor Center, 15-30 minutes.
1:30pm Touch Table: Animal Adventures. Discover the diverse wildlife found in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve through antlers, claws, and other hands-on objects. Visitor Center, 30 minutes.
Wednesday, July 24
10:00am Ranger Program: Dunes Dance Moves. The formation of the Great Sand Dunes can be portrayed and felt through simple dance moves. Learn how the dunes were formed as you make these moves along with a ranger! Fun for all ages. Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
1:30pm Ranger Program: Ecosystem Exploration. Come learn about the many diverse ecosystems found within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, as well as the unique wildlife that inhabits them!Visitor Center, 15-30 minutes.
Thursday, July 25
10:00am Ranger Program: Nature’s Wild Wiggles. Come join a ranger and experience the benefits of nature for your body and mind. Come prepared with water, something to lay on, and to act silly. Meet at Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.
1:30pm Ranger Program: Life After the Flames: Wildfires and Ecological Succession. Discover the dynamic interplay between wildfires and ecological renewal. Visitor Center, 45 minutes.
Friday, July 26
10:00am Ranger Program: Pika Power. Living in alpine tundra is extreme, but pikas have proven to be the ultimate survivors. Join a ranger to learn about their adaptations and the new challenges they face. Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
1:30pm Ranger Program: The Mystery of the Indigenous People. Join us as we learn about how the Indigenous people who have occupied these lands were able to survive here. Visitor Center, 30 minutes.
8:45pm Evening Ranger Program: Stars Above the Sand. There are more stars than grains of sand! From dunes in our solar system to the newest images from the James Webb Space Telescope, we’ll explore the unexpected wonders of the universe and touch small pieces of the Moon and Mars! Amphitheater, 35-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
