Great Sand Dunes National Park preserves the tallest sand dunes in North America, where a massive dune field rises against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. During our stay, we explored Medano Creek, climbed High Dune, hiked Mosca Pass Trail, visited Zapata Falls, and discovered a few unexpected roadside attractions scattered across the San Luis Valley.
Pick a stop to see its story and photos.
Medano Creek is a seasonal stream that flows at the base of the dunes each spring, creating one of the park's most unusual and popular experiences.
Zapata Falls is a short but rewarding hike to a waterfall hidden inside a narrow rock crevice just outside Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Mosca Pass Trail climbs through forests and mountain terrain on the eastern edge of the park, providing a striking contrast to the open dune field below.
High Dune is the signature hike at Great Sand Dunes National Park, climbing deep into North America's tallest dune field. The strenuous trek through shifting sand rewards hikers with sweeping views of dunes stretching toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The UFO Watchtower is a quirky roadside attraction in the San Luis Valley known for its alien-themed displays, observation tower, and local UFO lore.
A short unnamed trail near the visitor center offers some of the park's most accessible views of the dune field and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The Point of No Return marks the end of the road for most vehicles, where the route transitions into the rough Medano Pass Road and the landscape opens to broad views of the dune field.
San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area protects wetlands and seasonal lakes in the San Luis Valley, offering wide-open views of the surrounding mountains and habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.
Medano Creek is a seasonal stream that flows at the base of the dunes each spring, creating one of the park's most unusual and popular experiences.
Zapata Falls is a short but rewarding hike to a waterfall hidden inside a narrow rock crevice just outside Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Mosca Pass Trail climbs through forests and mountain terrain on the eastern edge of the park, providing a striking contrast to the open dune field below.
High Dune is the signature hike at Great Sand Dunes National Park, climbing deep into North America's tallest dune field. The strenuous trek through shifting sand rewards hikers with sweeping views of dunes stretching toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The UFO Watchtower is a quirky roadside attraction in the San Luis Valley known for its alien-themed displays, observation tower, and local UFO lore.
No photos are tied to this place yet.
A short unnamed trail near the visitor center offers some of the park's most accessible views of the dune field and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
No photos are tied to this place yet.
The Point of No Return marks the end of the road for most vehicles, where the route transitions into the rough Medano Pass Road and the landscape opens to broad views of the dune field.
No photos are tied to this place yet.
San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area protects wetlands and seasonal lakes in the San Luis Valley, offering wide-open views of the surrounding mountains and habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.
Day 1 at Great Sand Dunes National Park We started at the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center, where we learned…
Day 2 at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve We hiked the Mosca Pass Trail, a scenic 7.4-mile…
Day 3 at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve We set out to climb High Dune, one of the tallest dunes…
Before we left the San Luis Valley, we made one last stop at the UFO Watchtower just north of Great Sand…
