Nearby Campgrounds
§ 02 — OVERVIEW
The most popular and unique backpacking option is camping in the 30-square-mile dunefield, beyond the major dune ridgeline (about 1.5 mile hike minimum over dunes). Enjoy wide open views of the starry sky or a bright moonlit night. Designated sites are also available in the trees of the foothills, or camping is available in higher forests of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.
Reserve national park backpacking permits for the dunes or foothills through recreation.gov
§ 03 — LOCATION
Directions
To access the main park area, including the Dunes Parking Lot and backpacking trailheads, take CO Highway 150 from the south or County Road 6 from the west. Both are paved highways.
Weather Notes
Spring can sometimes bring high winds, mainly in the afternoon. Temperatures may vary widely: highs may reach into the 70s F, or only into the 30s F with snow and an even colder wind chill. In summer, daytime high temperatures average 75-80 degrees F. However, sand surface temperatures can soar to 150 degrees F on sunny summer afternoons. Fall is generally mild, with Indian summer days. Highs average in the 60s - 70s F, with chilly nights in the 20s - 30s F. Frigid temperatures are the norm in winter.
§ 04 — AMENITIES
§ 06 — CONDITIONS
National Weather Service · seven-day outlook · updated hourly
§ 07 — SIGNAL
FCC broadband data · actual signal varies in remote terrain
§ 08—11 — FROM THE FIELD
Community Intel from visitors, written reviews, dated trip reports, and reader-submitted photographs.
§ 09 — REVIEWS
§ 10 — TRIP REPORTS
§ 11 — COMMUNITY PHOTOS
Backpacking Permit Fee
Fee to make a required reservation for a backpacking permit through recreation.gov
§ 05 — TRAILS NEARBY
Trip Reports
0 reports
§ 01 — VITALS
No cell coverage detected at this coordinate.
Fri
82°F
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
5 to 10 mph ESE
Sat
84°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 to 10 mph SSE
Sun
85°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
5 to 10 mph N
Mon
85°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 to 5 mph SSW
Tue
83°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 to 10 mph WSW
Wed
82°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 to 10 mph SW
Thu
81°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
5 to 10 mph WSW
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