Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.00This fee is for a commercial motor coach with 26+ capacity. Valid for 7 days.
CO
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
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Great Sand Dunes at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, August–October
- Trip length
- 1–2 days
- Don't miss
- Splash in Medano Creek
- Nearby city
- Mosca, CO
Explore this park
About Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless night to experience countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park! Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year-round. There are no timed entries or reservations to visit.
5 current NPS alerts
- Caution: Creek Crossings on Medano Pass Primitive Road Have Deep and Swift Water
- Information: Great Sand Dunes Currently at Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
- Caution: Speed Limits are Much Lower Inside Park than Surrounding Highways
- +2 more in the Alerts tab
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 1, 2026). Official Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve page on nps.gov
Weather Information
Temperatures are relatively cool all year at the park elevation 8000 ft. Conditions are most often calm, but winds can arise, especially in spring and during storm fronts. Daytime temperatures feel warmer here year round due to intense high-altitude sunlight, and mid-day summer sand surface temps can be 160 degrees F! Plan to explore the dunes morning or evening during summer. Nights are cool in summer, and frigid in winter. Visit for details
Entrance Fees
Commercial Entrance - Van
$40.00This fee is for a commercial group of 7-15 persons in a van. Valid for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$40.00This fee is for a commercial group of 16-25 persons in a mini-bus. Valid for 7 days.
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.00Fees are charged only when the entrance station is open in the spring, summer, and fall seasons or when the visitor center is open in the winter season. Fees can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. Passes may also be purchased in advance online through recreation.gov .
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00This fee is for a commercial group of 1-6 people in a smaller vehicle. Valid for 7 days.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$15.0015+ passenger vehicle, age 16+
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Entrance Fee for Bicycles or Walk-In Visitors
Operating Hours
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
The park and preserve are open 24/7 all year
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Entrance Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00If you visit Great Sand Dunes more than once in a year, consider purchasing an annual pass to save money. The Great Sand Dunes Annual Pass admits the pass holder(s) and all family members in the vehicle into the park for one year from date of purchase.
Common questions
Planning Great Sand Dunes
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 1 reservation type on the Permits tab, including Great Sand Dunes National Park Backcountry Permits. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
