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Great Sand Dunes

  • Colorado

photo: Carol M. Highsmith

Why go there?

Great Sand Dunes is an otherworldly landscape. The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes and tundra. The area is the ancestral home of the Southern Ute Tribe and the Apache. If you're lucky enough to have a moonless night, the star-filled sky is unforgettable! The park is known for huge dunes like the towering Star Dune, and for the seasonal Medano Creek and beach created at the base of the dunes. Go sand-boarding and sledding to get the full experience.

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See some highlights

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    37°43'58.84"N, 105°30'44.54"W

    Great Sand Dunes

    • Colorado

    Like "Dune" the Movie, Without the Parching and Giant Worms

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    Parks Channel Programs

    • Hiking

    • Backpacking

    • Sandboarding and sand sledding

    • Swimming

    • Ranger programs

    • Stargazing

    • Photography

    • Scenic driving

    • Visitor center

    • Horseback riding