Shaka Guide's Great Sand Dunes National Park Itinerary
Journey through time and nature at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Here you'll discover how massive forces of wind, water, and geology created North America's tallest dunes over thousands of years.
Experience the thrill of sandboarding down pristine dunes. Hike through the unique ecosystem where desert meets alpine environments, creating a haven for diverse wildlife and rare plants found nowhere else in the world.
Drive along Los Caminos Antiguos, tracing the footsteps of Native Americans, Spanish explorers, and early settlers while learning about the cultural heritage that shaped this remarkable region.
All this and more await you along your Shaka Guide Great Sand Dunes tour.
Itinerary
1. Blanca Wetlands
- Duration: 1 hour
Take an informative detour to Blanca Wetlands, a restored oasis that offers a glimpse into the San Luis Valley's past before agricultural drainage transformed the landscape.
This Bureau of Land Management project, initiated in 1965, showcases the vital role wetlands play in supporting water quality, soil health, and wildlife migration.
Though closed during nesting season (February through July), this site tells an important restoration story.
2. UFO Watchtower
- Duration: 10 minutes
The UFO watchtower–a place to celebrate the strange, otherworldly, and improbable occurrences which have long intrigued visitors to San Luis Valley.
Believers come from all over for a chance to see interstellar beings–or, at least, to meet up with other alien enthusiasts.
Think you’d like to see…what’s out there? If so, stopping by will only cost you a few bucks and our perception of our place in the universe.
3. Colorado Gator Reptile Park
- Duration: 1 hour
In a surprising twist of Colorado history, what began as a tilapia farm's solution to waste management evolved into a unique wildlife refuge for alligators.
After purchasing about a hundred baby gators to handle dead fish, the farm transformed into a public attraction in 1990, drawing crowds curious to see these prehistoric predators thriving in the desert environment.
Today, the Colorado Gator Farm has expanded beyond its scaly beginnings to become a sanctuary for various rescued exotic animals, including tortoises, snakes, and even sharks – all finding an unlikely home in the San Luis Valley.
4. Fort Garland Museum
- Duration: 1 hour
Fort Garland Museum, located in Colorado's San Luis Valley, preserves an 1858 military fort that once protected settlers and served as a base for the legendary Buffalo Soldiers.
The Adobe Fort complex includes original buildings with exhibits on frontier military life, the Buffalo Soldiers, and the history of the San Luis Valley.
5. Zapata Falls
Eric Johnson
- Duration: 2 hours
This hidden waterfall is tucked away inside a cave at the end of a short but adventurous hike, less than a mile round trip.
Getting to the 25-foot falls means splashing through water and scrambling over rocks, so if you have waterproof shoes, you’ll want to break ‘em out for this one.
6. Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center
- Duration: 30 minutes
Begin your visit at the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center, where you can explore exhibits about the park's unique geology, diverse ecosystems, and rich cultural history.
Pick up maps, watch an engaging orientation film, and get tips from rangers on the best trails or activities for your visit.
This is the perfect starting point to plan your adventure in the towering dunes and beyond.
7. Montville Nature Trail
Russ
- Duration: 30 minutes
Montville Nature Trail is the shortest and easiest forest hike in the park, traversing through the former Montville townsite. It’s a quick half-mile through shady Aspen forests.
At about three-quarters of the way in, you’ll break out to the high point, which offers a sweeping view of the dunes from above the trees.
If you decide to do one trail in the park, I’d recommend this one.
8. Mosca Pass
Jeffrey Beall
- Duration: 4 hours
Mosca Pass is a moderately difficult 7-mile-long trail that continues from Montville Nature Trail, taking you to a pass in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains.
It’s nice and shady, but not necessarily one of my favorites, so I’d recommend saving it for the if-you-have-time category.
9. Wellington Ditch Trail
- Duration: 2 hours
The Wellington Ditch Trail is just under 2 miles of a relatively flat hike through pinon and juniper trees, ending at the Pinon Flats Campground.
The trail follows an old hand-dug irrigation ditch dug by the Wellington family in 1927, and offers a few vantage points overlooking the dunes.
Just keep in mind, this hike is one way.
10. Great Sand Dunes Picnic Area
- Duration: 30 minutes
This shaded picnic stop has barbecue grills, covered tables, and views that can't be beat.
11. Dune Access
Brian W. Schaller
- Duration: half-day to full-day
From the Great Sand Dunes parking lot, you can hike directly onto the towering dunes, a challenging yet rewarding adventure offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
For big sandy thrills, try sledding or sandboarding down the soft, golden slopes—gear is available for rent nearby.
Wanting to hike instead? No problem!
There are no trails on this sandy sea, but there are plenty of notable dunes you can hike to, including Star Dune and Hidden Dune.
12. Medano Pass Primitive Road
- Duration: half-day to full-day
Medano Pass Primitive Road offers a rugged 22-mile backcountry adventure through stunning landscapes, including sandy creek crossings and lush meadows.
Along the route, stop at Castle Creek Picnic Area for breathtaking views of the dunes and mountains, and look out for wildlife like deer and elk.
Most notably, this is where the seasonal floods of Medano Creek create a temporary beach, complete with surging waves.
High-clearance 4WD vehicles are required, making this bumpy, sandy ride an exciting way to explore the park’s remote beauty.
13. Sand Ramp Trail
- Duration: 3 hours
The Sand Ramp Trail is a moderate 11-mile (one-way) trek that winds along the base of the dunes, offering sweeping views of the sand and Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
For the first few miles, it follows along the Medano Pass Primitive Road. While the views are not a notable as some other trails, it does provide a quiet, peaceful
14. San Luis Wildlife Area
- Duration: 1 hour
The San Luis Wildlife Area is a lesser-known but ecologically rich area in southern Colorado, near the San Luis Valley.
Managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, it consists of a mix of wetlands, grasslands, and riparian areas that provide essential habitat for migratory birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife.
Explore Great Sand Dunes with Shaka Guide
With Shaka Guide as your personal narrator, you'll experience fascinating stories, insider secrets, and perfectly-timed directions throughout your journey - all while exploring at your own pace.
Our GPS-powered audio tour transforms your Great Sand Dunes adventure into an immersive journey of discovery, ensuring you won't miss any hidden treasures or spectacular viewpoints along the way.
Beyond the iconic dunes and seasonal Medano Creek, we'll guide you to hidden gems most visitors never see - from secluded wilderness areas and thundering waterfalls to quirky stops like the UFO Watchtower.
Take the Great Sand Dunes National Park Audio Tour with Shaka Guide and explore at your own pace with stories, directions, and must-see stops along the way.
Still planning? Check out our Know Before You Go guide to prep for an epic day.
Need help? Email us anytime at aloha@shakaguide.com!
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