The San Luis Valley is located in southern Colorado. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve The tallest dunes in North America are found here. These dunes rise abruptly out of the shadows of Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo MountainsWinds blowing through mountain passes and recycling sand by wind create the unique formations. While the star attractions, Hidden Dune and Star Dune, tower approximately 750 feet above the valley floor, one of the park’s extraordinary features is Medano Creek, a seasonal stream that emerges in spring and early summer.
Fed by snowmelt, Medano Creek—called Colorado’s Natural beach—flows at the dunes’ base, creating a shallow, inland beach-like playground where visitors can splash, float on tubes, and build sandcastles. The flow typically begins in late April and peaks by early June, with water depths reaching ankle to calf level—often around 20 inches—before drying out during mid-summer.
The dunes are a popular destination for visitors when the creek blooms, as well as to enjoy thrilling activities like sandboarding and hiking the dunes. The sand temperature can rise to 150 degrees on hot days. Wearing hiking shoes or socks is a good idea.
Medano Creek is flowing with cool and refreshing water in the spring and early summer. As the park is an International Dark Sky Park the dunes are also a great place to observe the stars at night.
Be sure to check the weather forecast before you plan your trip. check the real-time flow of Medano CreekThe graph tracks the volume of the creek in cubic feet per seconds (cfs) and is available from spring to fall. The data, which is collected five miles upstream of the main Dunes Parking Area offers an accurate picture of the current water level and the conditions. This year’s flow levels won’t exceed 20 cfs. Plan your trip accordingly.
The park is well-equipped for visitors, with dune-rover wheelchairs, convenient dune showers, and the Piñon Flats Campground. Families are invited to participate in various programs such as the Junior Ranger program of the National Park Service and Family Archaeology Days.
If you are looking for a place to stay that is unique near the dunes then consider Dunes Desert Camp. This eco-luxury safari site only has two large safari tents. It offers a unique and private experience in nature. Dune Experiences, the camp’s customizable program, allows guests to choose their own meals and activities. Great Sand Dunes Lodge offers a range of standard rooms, campers, and geodesic domes for a more traditional experience.
