Plan Your Visit

View from the Visitor Center of Grasslands, Trees, Medano Creek, Dunes, and Snow-Capped Cleveland Peak — Take time to explore beyond the dunes into grasslands, forest, alpine lakes and peaks.
NPS/Patrick Myers

Transcript

00:00:00:00 - 00:00:21:25

Hi, I'm Ranger Patrick. This is a fun song to help you remember how to have a great, healthy, and fun stay at Great Sand Dunes. I'm going to teach you the chorus. This is a song done to the tune of home on the range called home at the dunes. I changed the lyrics around to help you remember the rules and safety messages.

00:00:21:27 - 00:00:45:18

We'll start out with the chorus. Home, home at the dunes. Where the deer and the antelope play. If you follow along to the rules of this song, then you'll have a wonderful stay.

00:00:45:21 - 00:01:25:07
Unknown
Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam. And the antelope play with the deer. If you feed them a snack. They may try to attack. And you may just get kicked in the rear. Sing it out. Home. Home at the dunes where the deer and the antelope play. If you follow along to the rules of the song, then you’ll have a wonderful stay.

00:01:25:10 - 00:02:00:04

Okay, next verses a true story from our campground. So pay attention. She left out her cooler, but the ranger didn't fool her. In your bear box, you should lock it up tight. When the bear came around and ripped her tent down. She ran away half naked in the night. All right. Home. Home at the dunes, where the deer and the antelope play.

00:02:00:06 - 00:02:38:01

If you follow along to the rules of this song, then you'll have a wonderful stay. We’ll do 3 more verses and 1 more chorus. And he hikes on the sand. With no shoes in his hand. The sun climbs higher and bakes. On the way back he sees the sand is 150 degrees! And his feet look like two well-done steaks.

00:02:38:04 - 00:03:14:29

And the dog on his own will ramble and roam. And come back with a face full of quills. If you leave him in the car and you wander too far. He will melt. Just like cheese on a grill. (last verse). She hiked the dunes in the rain, but she could not explain why her hair was standing up tall and down came the lightning.

00:03:15:01 - 00:03:45:01

And it was very frightening because she looked like a melted Barbie doll. One more home. Home at the dunes where the deer and the antelope play. If you followed along to the rules of this song, then you’ll have a wonderful stay.

00:03:45:04 - 00:03:50:00

Have a great stay!

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Duration:: 3 minutes, 58 seconds

Sing along with Ranger Patrick to learn how you can have a wonderful, safe, and enjoyable visit here at Great Sand Dunes. Learn about sand temperatures, food storage, lightning, pets, and other topics affecting your visit. Song adapted from 'Home on the Range'

Suggested Ways to Plan Your Time

2-3 Hours

• Explore the dunefeld from the main Dunes Parking Area, splash in Medano Creek (seasonal during spring), or sand sled/sandboard

• Hike to High Dune on First Ridge for a view of the entire dunefeld

• Hike Montville Nature Trail for shade, a small creek, and history of the town of Montville

• Drive your high-clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicle on Medano Pass Primitive Road (seasonal during summer and fall)

3-5 Hours, you can also...

• Explore the east side of the dunefeld, starting from Point of No Return, Sand Pit, or Castle Creek Picnic Areas

• Hike to Zapata Falls, south of the national park, for a refreshing waterfall and higher view of the dunes and San Luis Valley

• Hike Star Dune, one of the tallest dunes in North America (5 hours round trip)

• Watch the sunset and stay into the evening to watch the moonrise or frst stars and planets appear

If you have more time:

• Attend a free daytime or evening ranger program

• Walk in the dunes after dark to experience the night

• Hike Mosca Pass to view wildfowers and listen to songbirds

• Hike Hidden Dune, the tallest dune in North America (5-6 hours round trip)

• Hike to a high-elevation lake, accessible from Music Pass Trailhead or Medano Lake Trailhead

Planning for Your Visit to Great Sand Dunes

Below you can explore what conditions to expect each month, current weather forecasts, where to stay overnight, and fun activites you can plan for your next trip to Great Sand Dunes.

Lightning bolts strike the dunes under a dark sky — Lightning and other weather conditions present planning and safety challenges for your visit. It is always best to check on current conditions including weather forecasts prior to your arrival.
NPS/Patrick Myers

Current Conditions - Weather, Roads, Facilities, and Park Alerts

Check here for any weather, road, safety issues, facility closures, or other park alerts that may affect your visit to Great Sand Dunes.

Dunes in Fall with Gold Aspens and Cottonwoods and Snowy Cleveland Peak — NPS/Patrick Myers

Conditions to Expect Each Month

Woman with Dog on leash in Medano Creek at the base of the Dunes — All pets MUST be on a leash 6 feet (2 meters) or shorter at all times to protect wildlife, other visitors, and other pets. Sand surfaces in summer can reach 160 degrees F which can cause injuries to pets.
NPS/Patrick Myers

Visiting Great Sand Dunes with your Pet

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is unique in that most popular outdoor areas allow pets as long as they are on a leash at all times. Check here for specifics on where pets are permitted, and how to protect yourself and your pet's wellbeing on hot sand and wildlife habitat.