Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve can be found in northern Colorado. It is well-known for large, striking dunes including the mighty Star Dune, for long-tailed sand fly fishing, and for the deepest drop-offs at the western edge of the park. The backwoods Medano River and sandy beaches of the western edge of the park are favored by anglers from across the United States and around the world. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve have good accessibility to most of the Colorado attractions other than its dunes and beaches.
A great sand dune field is one of the highlights of this hiking trail. In the northwest corner of the Great Sand Dunes National Park there is a parking lot that marks the western terminus of the trail. This dune field, the Trestle Rock, was made as a memorial to soldiers killed in the Korean War. After the war this area was used for picnic and other purposes. In the late 1960s a Trestle Rock picnic table and restroom were built on the land.
Just past the Trestle Rock is the Sand Trapper Trail, another great sand dune field. This trail follows a rocky climb up to the cliff line where you’ll see the Great Sand Dunes National Park sign and the trail continues on to the end of a rocky climb to a bench where a picnic lunch can be enjoyed. Further along the trail you’ll find two picnic tables and two fire rings. At the end of this trail you’ll see two kiosks with restrooms, a fire ring, and a gift shop selling local souvenirs and camping supplies. All of these facilities are in close proximity to the Great Sand Dunes National Park entrance. There are also many beautiful views from here.
Continuing on another trail will take you to a view of a large sand pit that used to be an ancient burial site. Here you will also find some very well-maintained camping equipment and supplies for camping in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The trail continues on towards another overlook where you’ll find the Great Sand Dunes National Park sign. The trail continues past this point and meets up with the San Miguel de Allende visitor’s center.
A third trail leads hikers to the Temptation Bay Campgrounds where you’ll find a swimming hole, picnic area, and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Hikers may want to stop by the Hualalai Lodge where they can enjoy the lovely views of the sand dunes. This touristy area is about two miles from the Great Sand Dunes National Park Visitors Center. You will also want to visit the nearby towns of Rosario, Ooty, Blyde and Campo.
If you wish to experience the sand dunes to the fullest, you should consider taking a tour of the Great Sand Dunes in Mexico. The Chihuahuan Desert in the region offers one of the most exciting travel opportunities for visitors who have never seen the dunes of Mexico before. It is possible to combine guided tours of the desert with vehicle tours of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. You can even combine the two activities in a single trip, if you hire a tour guide to lead a group of vacationers through the desert. This would allow you to get an up close look at the region’s wildlife as well as the elusive dunes lapping at the north and the Great Sand Dunes National Park to the south.