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.
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.
more...