Great Sand Dunes National Monument Custom Search Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes rise over 700 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This geologic wonderland, containing 39 square miles of dunes, became a national monument in 1932. With the passage of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of 2000, resources now also include alpine lakes and tundra, six peaks over 13,000', ancient spruce and pine forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and wetlands--all habitat for diverse wildlife and Rocky Mountain plant species.     CONTACTS Email - GRSA_Interpretation@nps.gov Fax- 719-378-2594 Write to 11500 Highway 150 Mosca, CO 81146-9798 Phone Headquarters - 719-378-2312 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons The monument is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Visitor center open daily, closed on winter holidays. Getting There PLANE - Limited air service is available to Alamosa, Colorado. Airports in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Albuquerque are all within 4 hours drive. CAR - Great Sand Dunes National Monument is located 35 miles northeast of Alamosa,Colorado, reached by US Highway 160 and Colorado Highway 150 from the south. or from Colorado Highway 17 and County Six Mile Lane from the west. BUS - Greyhound Bus Lines serve Alamosa and Blanca, CO, but do not enter the park. Weather & Climate In fall, winter, and spring, expect moderate daytime temperatures and freezing to sub-zero temperatures at night. Summer temperatures during the day average 70 to 80 degrees, lows may drop to 40 degrees. Sand temperatures can reach 140 degrees in summer; shoes are highly recommended for hiking the dunes. Accessibility The Visitor Center and restrooms are fully accessible. There is an accessible trail at the visitor center, two accessible campsites and one backcountry accessible campsite. Call 719-378-2312 ext 220 for more info. Getting Around By foot, bicycle, or personal vehicle. Please note: bicycles are not permitted on trails. CAMPING Pinyon Flats Open All Year Pinyon Flats campground is open year-round, and has 88 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fire grates, picnic tables, flush toilets and drinking water available. The campground is located in pinon/juniper forest and has excellent views of the dunes and the Sangre de Christo mountains. Winter low temperatures average between 0 and 13 degrees F. Fire wood can be purchased in the visitor center, open daily 8:30 am to 4:340 pm. FACILITIES Visitor Centers MAIN Open All Year 9 am to 4:30 pm Phone - 719-378-2312 ext 220 Closures - Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day Special Programs - Interpretive programs begin here in the summer months. Available Facilities - Visitor center has a 15 minute video, exhibits, bookstore and computer touchscreen information systems. For more info on Great Sand Dunes National Monument go to:  www.greatsanddunes.info   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Great Sand Dunes National Monument.   Campgrounds Near Great Sand Dunes National Monument: San Luis Lakes, Mosca, 3 miles away Great Sand Dunes Oasis, Mosca, 8 miles away Alamosa KOA Kampground, Alamosa, 12 miles away Pinyon Flats Campground, Alamosa County, 15 miles away Navajo Trail Campground, Alamosa, 17 miles away Blanca RV Park, Blanca, 18 miles away   Hotels Near Great Sand Dunes National Monument: Ramada Alamosa, Alamosa , 14 miles away Days Inn Alamosa, Alamosa , 14 miles away Best Western Alamosa Inn, Alamosa , 16 miles away Super 8 Alamosa, Alamosa , 17 miles away Hampton Inn Alamosa, CO, Alamosa , 17 miles away Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites ALAMOSA, Alamosa , 17 miles away Comfort Inn Alamosa, Alamosa , 17 miles away   Trails Near Great Sand Dunes National Monument: Huerfano Trail, Huerfano County , 18 miles away Ute Trail, Huerfano County , 19 miles away   Ski Areas Near Great Sand Dunes National Monument: Red River, New Mexico , 55 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 7 lifts, 58 runs Taos, New Mexico , 60 miles away, 2612 foot drop, 13 lifts, 110 runs Monarch, Colorado , 64 miles away, 1162 foot drop, 7 lifts, 63 runs Angel Fire, New Mexico , 75 miles away, 2077 foot drop, 7 lifts, 74 runs Wolf Creek, Colorado , 76 miles away, 1604 foot drop, 7 lifts, 77 runs Sipapu, New Mexico , 83 miles away, 1055 foot drop, 4 lifts, 31 runs   Public Lands Near Great Sand Dunes National Monument: San Luis State Park, Colorado , 4 miles away Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado , 17 miles away   Golf Courses Near Great Sand Dunes National Monument: Alamosa Golf Club, Alamosa , 15 miles away Cattails Golf Course, Alamosa , 15 miles away Challenger Golf Club, Crestone , 19 miles away