We finally explored Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado, which was the only national park in that state left on our list.

We stayed a couple nights in nearby Alamosa, which was a perfect jumping off point for our day in the park. Like other national parks, the approach is quite impressive as the sand dunes continue to grow in size and focus as you draw nearer to the visitor center.

Wind and water move sand, continually forming dunes. Most sand comes from the San Juan Mountains, over 65 miles to the west. Larger, rougher grains and pebbles come from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Sand and sediments from both washed into a huge lake once covering the valley floor. As the lake reduced, prevailing southwesterly winds bounced the sand grains to be piled up beneath the Sangre de Cristo Mountains or washed back toward the valley floor. Northeasterly winds blast through mountain passes, piling dunes back on themselves and creating North America’s tallest dunes.

NPS brochure

After a brief tour of the center, including time to watch a short film about how the dunes came to be, we drove as far as the road is currently open (near the Pinon Flats campground) so we could begin our hike to the Dunes Overlook Trail.

I was surprised this wasn’t called out as a recommended hike on the park’s website. I stumbled upon it in tiny text on the park brochure, and it sounded like a great orientation before we hiked out on the dunes themselves.

The trail was snowy and icy in places, but not to the extent we needed to put on our spikes. We didn’t encounter anyone or anything on the trail. It was very peaceful climbing up among the trees to the overlook, where we had impressive views of the dunes as well as both the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges.

Since we had to begin from the parking area by the amphitheater, our hike clocked in at just under three miles roundtrip with a gain of 332 feet/101 meters. It was an easy hike that I’d definitely recommend at the beginning of even a short visit to the park.

We relocated our car to the Dunes Parking area and enjoyed a quick picnic before trekking out on the dunes.

It’s possible to spend several hours summitting two of the highest dunes in the park – High Dune at 688 feet/210 meters and Star Dune at 736 feet/224 meters – but given the wind and cold we decided to simply wander around the nearby dunes and take it all in.

There were a handful of other park visitors, but nothing like the crowds you see pictured in the park during the summer months when families come to sled and surf the dunes and splash about in the Medano and Sand creeks that edge the dunefield following the spring mountain runoff.

We did see a couple families with small kids braving the weather with their sleds. I was surprised how slowly the sleds glided down the dunes, even those that were fairly steep. Perhaps their sleds are better suited to snow than sand!

After a couple hours in the dunes, we were content with our visit and elected to drive an alternative route back to Alamosa that would take us by San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area.

The drive was lovely, and we enjoyed very different views of the dunes and mountains now that the sun had swung around. Unfortunately the wildlife area required a permit so we only briefly circled in and back out rather than staying for a visit. The area is designed for boat launch and there were really nice shaded picnic areas for people fishing or enjoying other shore activities. The site has quite the view with the park as its backdrop.

Back in Alamosa, we cleaned up and walked to dinner. After a quick tasting at San Luis Valley Brewing Company, which is situated in an old bank and features an old safe as its backbar, we wandered over to the Friar’s Fork and Sanctuary for dinner.

Happily we were able to sneak in before reservations were required – the place quickly grew busy. This Italian/Mediterranean restaurant was created in the footprint of the former historic St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and the owners left much of the church aesthetic in-tact, even using pews along the long tables in the middle of the restaurant floor. Our pasta dishes were great – definitely recommend.

We enjoyed our time in the national park and in Alamosa, and I’m happy to have crossed this final Colorado-based national park off our list!