Great Sand Dunes National Park

Our final stop on our road trip was Great Sand Dunes National Park. Great Sand Dunes National Park sits a short drive of I-25 near the town of Mosca. It’s not close to really anything, so we decided to incorporate a stop in on our road trip route. The dunes are the largest in North America and have a stunning contrast with the San Juan range looming in the background. Because it was chilly and windy, we didn’t hike up any of the dunes. We still had a two-or-so hour drive home.

Address and Location

You’ll find Great Sand Dunes National Park at Mosca, Colorado. Be sure to have at least a half tank of gas before you head out. There really aren’t a lot of services available close by, especially if you’re going out of season.

Cost

What to do

You access the dunes behind the Visitors’ Center. A small trail that also sits behind the Visitors’ Center highlights the biodiversity of the area. If you plan to hike the dunes, plan to spend several hours at the park (in addition to driving time). They are a lot steeper than they seem, and hiking in sand can be quite difficult.

Southwest Colorado road trip: Mesa Verde National Park  |  Canyon of the Ancients National Monument  |  Four Corners Monument  |  Aztec Ruins National Monument