Plan a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado? Check our tips on preparing for the visit to this unique and fabulous place, which protects the tallest dunes in North America. How to get there? Where to stay? What to Pack? And what are the best things to do in Great Sand Dunes...
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Hi, we are Agnes & Chris! Welcome to The Van Escape! We are travelers, photographers, and bloggers. Our goal is to share travel & photo experience and inspire you to outdoor adventures through America. We love wildlife, off the beaten path places, soaking in hot springs, and van life. We also like cities by night and tasting local food & wine. We give you ready itineraries, hints, and essential tools to prepare you for your unforgettable lifetime journey. We only describe the places we have been, which we know and recommend without hesitation. All photos are also ours. We are so glad you’re here!
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We have spent no time in Colorado. But we may add it to our fall cross country trip. So great to know that we should plan a visit to Great Sand Dunes National Park. We would definitely want to see the tallest sand dunes in North America! But good to know we could wander on the sand and not worry about snakes or scorpions! I am sure we would want to try sand sledding.
Woohoo! These dunes look fantastic – and no snakes and scorpions! I would like to try the sandboarding. I have done it at the Siwa oasis in Egypt once, but the dune was quite small in comparison. Camping in this beautiful scenery would be great!
I love sand dunes! I went sledding at White Sands. I definitely need to add this to my list. Interesting that the elevation change. Is it marked anywhere so you know when it occurs?
Wow! The Dunes look spectacular. Carrying lots of water and sun protection are probably the most important essentials in a trip to the desert and sand dunes. Zapata Falls looks stunning! 🙂
The ecosystem of sand dunes always piques my interest! The glisten of the sun on waters is alluring, but the glitter of it on sand is another kind of beauty altogether. Your shots are smashing!
Oh wow! I didn’t realize that they were formed from large lakes. So interesting that there was water there at one time. It’s such a beautiful, mystical place to go!
I have tried sandboarding in Australia and it is so much fun. I would love to try sand dunes again at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Also, would love to hike the tallest dune in North America. I have never been to Colorado but it is surely on my list to visit when I can. I will remember to check the weather when I plan.
Great Sand Dunes National Park looks like an amazing place to take photos! I’d love to try the sandboarding, too. Just not sure I could handle hiking all the way up those dunes to do it. It looks like quite a workout!
Not going to lie, the Great Sand Dunes National Park was not really on my bucket list for National Parks but I may have to reconsider since it is so unique and cool looking. I mean who would ever imagine and entire sand dune “desert” type ecosystem like something you would find in the Sahara in the middle of southern Colorado? Very cool. For me of course I would love to hike the dunes and definitely check out Zapata Falls. But I think the highlights would be 1) to do sand boarding cause that just looks cool & 2) stay there late or even overnight for star gazing event. I can only imagine how amazing the night sky looks over those sand dunes!
The Great Sand Dunes National Park sounds really beautiful! I would love to visit the frozen waterfall as this is something I have never seen before. Sitting and watching the cranes would also be an amazing experience!!
Wow. Great tips. This really provides a very detailed guide with many things people wouldn’t be aware of without your first hand experience. Thanks for the info.
Wow, these dunes look amazing! I assume those are the biggest dunes I’ve ever seen. Funny enough, I always think of dunes being right next to a beach – just like they are here in northern Germany, but, obviously, they can form anywhere where there is sand, duuuuh 😉
This place reminds me of Ladakh – nubra valley in particular. The cold desert, icy peaks and unusual birds. I am all for getting here to see the ice sculptures and the crane migration. You have given some good tips on getting here and where to stay.
I have never traveled to Colorado before, but I have quite a few friends who live out there that I have been trying to visit for a while. I love doing outdoor activities whenever I am traveling so visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park would be a fun trip to plan with my friends.