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Great Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveGreat Sand Dunes and Medano Creek
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Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Operating Hours & Seasons
 
Hiker on Dunes
NPS Photo by Scott Hansen
You may hike on the dunes 24 hours a day. A free permit from the Visitor Center is needed if you plan to camp on the dunes at night.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is open 24 hours a day, all year. In winter, the Visitor Center hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, except for federal holidays, when the building is closed. In spring and fall, the Visitor Center is generally open 9-5; longer hours may exist as staffing permits. Summer hours at the Visitor Center are generally 9-6.  Call ahead at (719)378-6399 for specific hours on the days you plan to visit.

Since the campground is self-registration and first-come, first-served, you may self-register for a site 24 hours a day when sites are available. 

Children rafting Medano Creek  

Did You Know?
In average to wet years, Medano Creek is a popular beach environment at Great Sand Dunes. When creek flow is high, some children even raft the shallow waters.
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Last Updated: August 16, 2006 at 12:19 EST