Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler - The ultimate camping cooler. And dont forget your camera and tripod! The Zapata Falls Campground is located east of State Highway 150 as it approaches the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Thank you for all the great information This is definitely on my list. Best of luck on the rest of your travels. Capacity:Up to eight people, two tents, and two vehicles at the individual sites The hike out took much less time than the hike in since it was almost entirely downhill. Given the impromptu nature of this trip we didn't have any time to research camping in the sand so we winged it. So glad we stopped in. Take a look at the map below to get a sense of where the different camping options are in the National Park and keep reading to learn more about each campground. Rent a 4WD vehicle in Alamosa or bring your own and explore the Medano Pass Primitive Road past the point of no-return. ), are set against the spectacular backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. If you visit during spring, be prepared for possible high winds in the afternoon. ), you can camp at the first come-first serve Bureau of Land Management campsites at the trailhead and along the approach road. Solar phone charger, string lights for camp ambience that also double as an extra charger, and our brand new Big Agnes ultralight camp chairs, shovel for sand play and to practice Leave No Trace when using the backcountry bathroom, and a sand sled. Expansive, sinuous dunes that looked like undulating waves reached for the towering mountains of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Youll love it. Glad you found it helpful. How we created a new family tradition during some pretty rough times. We ate a picnic PB & J lunch by the creek prior to heading up the dunes so we didnt need to worry about packing lunch. Those sites appeared to have incredible views of the Great Sand Dunes from above. 2022 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. We each had a lightweight compression sack sleeping bag and a blow-up sleeping pad. I still think this would be a fantastic way to hike. The hike is an easy, but rocky, 1 mile out and back hike with a big payoff. There are no rocks to pin down gear in the wind.
We pulled up the forecast for Great Sand Dunes and it was forecast to be partly cloudy and windy. I hope you are able to make it there! We also brought a little container filled with Dr. Bronners soap for washing hands and dishes. For those in search of a true wilderness experience, backpacking in Great Sand Dunes National Park is the way to go! If the five-hour round trip feels like too big of an undertaking, dont fear! Medano Creek, a popular stream for tubing and beachside activities, curves through the edge of the dunes in the late spring and early summer. What a great trip for the kids! Setting up a tent in sand with strong winds istough. Preparing for your Great Sand Dunes National Park camping trip involves more than deciding which campground best fits your needs. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is home to the tallest dunes in North America, topping out at around 755 feet.
I was so worried that no one was going to sleep a wink and it ended up being the most peaceful nights sleep. There are no designated sites so you can freely pick anywhere to camp. Very cool. Named the Most Beautiful Place in America on ABCs Good Morning America, its no wonder why so many people flock to Sleeping Bear Dunes every year! It was so difficult to grasp the magnitude of them even while standing among them.
Lake Como Road/Sacred White Shell Mountain, The Complete Guide to the Laugavegur Trail | Map, Routes, and Itineraries, The Complete Guide to Camping in Badlands National Park, Youll need to carry in all of your own water, No fires are allowed (except camping stoves), Keep a close eye on the weather as youll want to avoid severe thunderstorms and high winds, Bring a bear canister or other food storage to protect your food from wildlife, Plan to bring a bear canister or other secure food storage, No campfires (with the exception of the Sand Creek site), Water can be scarce, plan to carry in what you need. Tent camping in extreme wind can be a very scary experience. Hence, the importance of those snow stakes for your tent! Let me know if you have any questions before your visit! We chatted with you guys down in the creek just before your trek up. RVs: No
Haha, yeah, there were some adventurous parts to it for sure, but we all really did have fun! Even if you are coming from the Front Range, take it easy at first if you havent spent much time at higher elevations. Why worry yourself with all the logistics? We made it fun by counting the dunes, strategizing on the next dune to climb, and cheering on the sandboarders and sledders. Great information! Its the perfect addition to your Sand Dunes visit. As with all National Park campgrounds, youll need to make a reservation through the Recreation.gov website well in advance. Youll need to have control over them at all times and we recommend that you keep them on a leash to avoid any issues. Love it! We needed sandbags but unfortunately didn't have them. The site sits adjacent to Medano Creek and makes a perfect option for those looking for easy access and plenty of nearby services. Have you visited these 5 urban green spaces? Were sure youll already have the essentials like agreat tent,sleeping bags, andcamp chairs, but below are some of our favorite items specifically for camping in the Sand Dunes: There are two options for those looking to car camp in Great Sand Dunes National Park: Pion Flats Campground and the more basic sites along Medano Pass Primitive Road. Arrive early for backcountry camping permits and hike in at least 1.5 miles. (If you see lightning, get off the dunes as quickly as possible!). Thanks for reading. Your kids will have a blast! Not only did we camp in the backcountry overnight, but we also had to hike a grueling sand trail to get there. Because this is a challenging hike, in the heat with no shade, and at elevationthat means a LOT of water! More Information.
Fee: $11/night for individual sites and $25/night for group sites For both the dunefiled camping as well as the designated backcountry sites youll need to get a free permit from the Visitor Center upon arrival, beginning at 9am. The parks BARK, Looking to get up close and personal with nature at Sleeping Bear?
One positive aspect to our interrupted hike the day earlier was that our backpacks were still packed for an overnight trip so we were able to hop out of the car and head for the dunes. Totally!
The winds died down long enough for us to frolic in the sunset, have some hot chocolate and take in the majestic beauty. It was unlike anything I've ever seen before and not something I'll soon forget. Compared to most of Colorados mountains, the Sangres are extremely rugged, due to the earths sudden upheaval that created their relief. Finally the sun rose and it was time to hike out and make the long drive to the airport. RVs: No Stop and camp at one of the 21 first-come, first-serve primitive camp sites or hike to beautiful Medano Lake at 7.4 miles round trip. We huddled in the tent and then looked out to see that the sunset had transformed the sky into magnificent purple and fiery red hues. Finally, it was time to set up camp. So beautiful. To ensure that youre safe and comfortable during your trip, be sure to pack the proper gear and clothes. A tad further west in Del Norte, you can choose a higher-end experience at The Windsor Hotel, or enjoy a more laid-back, budget-friendly choice, the Divide Riders Hostel. Yes, absolutely!
On the northwestern edge of Alamosa, the Alamosa Economy Campground is open year-round and has showers. Would you consider backpacking in the park or would you rather sled and play in the creek? We ran down the faces of the dunes only to turn around and watch the wind erase the footprints we just left. Then I remembered Great Sand Dunes was located in southern Colorado. ), but our planning paid off and it was a memorable experience! Otherwise, overnight parking is not allowed in the Dunes Parking lot. This is unique as most backpacking trips we would start early in the morning in order to get to camp and set up early. Great Sand Dunes Oasis is the closest campground to Great Sand Dunes National Park that is not actually located within the park. The KOA is more expensive than Great Sand Dunes Oasis, but it has excellent reviews and plenty of nearby amenities. There youll find major grocery stores such as Safeway and City Market as well as a few good outdoor stores. Regardless of how much sand was in the mug, we sure did! The campground is around 30 minutes from the entrance to the National Park. This large campground is located along State Highway 150 as you approach the National Park, and is only about a 3-minute drive from the park entrance. Im glad you found it helpful! After re-staking the tent (this would not be the last time) and strategically filling the interior with our water jugs and bags to weigh it down, Bryce and Emerson climbed the ridge to see the sunset. All the best to you and well be checking the blog often! Totally worth it, but was definitely a challenge! Thats heavy, so be prepared!
From the best ways to explore the dunes to where to stay when visiting the area, here are 10 things you should keep in mind to make the most of your trip. So we decided to take another nap with an alarm set for 1am this time to see if any of the clouds had cleared. Really informative.
Weather at the dunes can often be very windy, so take advantage and bring a kite to fly. In this case, its better to hike as its starting to cool down and then leave early in the morning to head back. This farm-to-table fast-casual restaurant is owned by Wendi Seger. There are so many ways to infuse fun into this backpacking trip from soaking at the creek to sandboarding on the way down or at your camp. Want a detailed topographical map of trails in the park and beyond?Buy the Trails Illustrated Sangre de Cristo map at REI.com. The no trail thing would make me nervous though! Take our online course (www.nationalparktripsmedia.com/workshops) to sharpen your skills! The second route had a steep section, too, and I was unsure if we were going to make it. Required fields are marked *. Winter temperatures can drop below 10 degrees and reach highs near 45 degrees. How did you navigate? There is also a lot to explore further into the park beyond the sand dunes, so one day I would like to explore the alpine lakes beyond Medano Pass. They could have played for hours if they werent tempted by the creek below.
While we wanted to claim a spot right on the top of the ridge, we knew it would be too exposed if winds were to pick upwhich the forecast was calling for. Thank you for sharing this adventure and your tips for backpacking. We set an alarm for 4:45am and hit the road long before daybreak. What a great resource as we try to pack in a few more adventures this spring and summer! www.kristimountainsports.com/products/sandboarding#rental, Extreme Adventures in Rocky Mountain National Park. for surviving our first family backpacking trip! If backpacking is not your cup of tea, Great Sand Dunes also has a campground, including RV sites. Thanks! This is not your typical backpacking experience, so embrace the uniqueness of the sand dunes! Consider packing earplugs to keep sand out of your ears when it gets windy. Youll love it, so different than the usual scenery. RVs: Yes, maximum length of 25 While this was a challenging hike, it was well worth it for the solitude, the views, the epic sunset, and the family experience. The dunes, despite the tallest being over 700', are dwarfed by the 13,000' peak of Herard Mountain in the Sangre de Cristo range they sit below. Fee:Free Check out the BLM Colorado Interactive Map for more information about the public lands in the San Luis Valley, and the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Visitor Guide for a detailed map of the parks central use area and helpful tips. A unique phenomenon of the creek is that the snow melt creates surges in the water. We changed the kids out of their wet clothes, grabbed our packs, and headed across the creek towards the dunes. So we decided to bury the edges which was surprisingly effective in keeping the tent in place. This short distance was what enticed us for our first family backpacking trip since this would be our kids first time carrying overnight backpacks. The scene is that of a beach in the summercamp chairs, picnics, sand toys, skim boards, and endless water fun for kids and adults alike. My Chacos were a good idea as I could kick the sand out easily, but the sand did a number on the bottom of my feet and by the end of day two I was hurting and wishing I had real shoes on. We have never had that much sand in our tent and sleeping bags before. From Alamosa, the closest town, head East on Highway US-160 for 0.5 miles. Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in Mosca, Colorado just north of Alamosa. The way the light was changing over the dunes was spectacular. My kids would love playing too! We let the kids play in the water while we plotted our route from afar. However, once we got back there we were eager to find the perfect campsite, so our mileage was a bit longer than expected. This includes commonly seen deer and elk as well as the more rare black bears, mountain lions, and the dune-dwelling kangaroo mouse. Later when recounting the highs and lows of the trip, it was funny to realize that a high and a low could be so closely compressed into one specific hour of camp timeeveryones high was the sunset and the low was the wind. If the kids are exhausted or the weather hits the fan, a hotel is a great alternative. If you are coming from sea level, take it even easier, and plan more strenuous activities for later in your trip after youve acclimated a bit. You can find more information on dispersed camping on BLM land here. Glad you found my write up helpful! Im glad its on your list! Maybe, justmaybe, the weather wouldn't be as stormy there as it was seemingly everywhere else in the United States. The ranger explained to us the rules and regulations and sent us on ourway. Once back at the car we changed into fresh clothes, packed the car, and just like that we were leaving the park, another wonderful and incredibly unique adventure under our belts! The dunes are also surrounded by a variety of environments, including grasslands, wetlands, aspen forests, and alpine lakes. Many visitors enjoy stopping off for an ice cream cone, and then driving the smaller local roads to appreciate the wide range of flora and fauna in Leelanau County. From there, the skys the limit!
Rentals are available at Kristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa, Great Sand Dunes Oasis in Mosca, and Sand Dunes Recreation in Hooper. The 21 designated campsite along Medano Pass are all contained within the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve (as opposed to the National Park) and begin approximately 5.2 miles from where the pavement ends along the main road through the Park. The best place to stock up on camping supplies near Great Sand Dunes National Park is in nearby Alamosa. As noted above, always be sure to check your pets for ticks as they are common in the Sand Dunes. Click Here to Reserve. The park is open 24/7, so dont pack up when the sun sets. There is very limited shade at the creek so sunshades or awnings are recommended if you are going to make a day of it. Im so glad it made your list! The KOA Alamosa campground is located on the east end of Alamosa and about a 25-minute drive from the entrance to the Great Sand Dunes. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. You must visit these 4 places on a Minnesota road trip! Fee:RV sites ($38/night for two people) // tent sites ($25/night for two people) Her pack was around 8 pounds. I hope you do get a chance to visit one day! However, bears do visit the campgrounds occasionally, so it is imperative that youve properly stored your food. Our kids (4 years old and 6 years old) both carried their own backpacking pack (the REI Tarn 40) with a sleeping bag in it. An Eddie Bauer review. (This is one of the most popular places in the park for overnight camping.). The Pion Flats Campground is extremely popular during spring and early summer when Medano Creek is flowing, so reservations are essential. Its definitely different having no trail but it was kind of freeing!
might not be that bad, the sand can skyrocket to 150 degrees and afternoon thunderstorms can roll in, so plan to spend time on the sand in the early morning. The sand on the dunes is very fine and soft, but the trek from the creek to the dune field is rocky and can be brutal on sensitive feet.
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