Start Planning! 

You’re about to go on an epic adventure with the Great Sand Dunes National Park Tour! Here’s what you need to know before you go. 

• The tour takes 6–8 hours with 24 stops and 81 audio narrations.
• Start the tour from Alamosa, Moffat, or Fort Garland—each just outside town.
• Sandboarding and sandsledding are top activities—rent gear locally before entering the park.
• Visit Zapata Falls, Dunes Overlook, and Montville Trail for scenic hikes beyond the dunes
• The best time to visit is late spring or early fall—cooler and less crowded.
• Medano Creek’s seasonal surge flow creates a beach-like experience in spring and early summer.
• Bring sunscreen, water, closed-toed shoes, and a sandboard or sled.
• No reservations needed—entry is open, with no permits or timed passes required.
• Avoid midday visits in summer—dune surface temperatures can reach dangerous levels.

Budgeting and Hours of Operation 

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Budget

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here are some costs:

• UFO Watchtower: $5 per person
• Colorado Gator Reptile Park: $15 per person
• Fort Garland Museum: $7 per person
• San Luis Wildlife Area: $12 per vehicle

Hours of Operation 

The tour stops have seasonal hours of operation. The site’s facilities and restaurants also have varying hours of operation.

• Blanca Wetlands: seasonal openings, closed February through July
• UFO Watchtower: 10 AM to 4 PM, Saturday and Sunday only
• Colorado Gator Reptile Park: 
  • 9 AM - 5 PM Winter
  • 9 AM - 7 PM Summer
• Fort Garland Museum: 
  • March 1 thru October 31, 9 AM to 5 PM 
  • November 1 thru February 28, 10 AM to 4 PM
• Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center: 9 AM to 4:30 PM

Get Packing!

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​​Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Sunglasses/hat
• Closed-toed shoes
• Plenty of water
• Sandboard or sandsled
• Swimsuit (during surge flows)
• Red light or red light filter and flashlight

Best Time to Visit     

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Late spring and early summer feature the Medano surge flows—waves of meltwater rushing down from the Sangre de Cristo mountains.

Early fall can also be nice and cool, and a little less crowded.

Safety Information 

The sand dunes can get extremely hot during the summer, especially midday. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, water, and protective shoes.

Additional Need to Know Information

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Carve your way down the golden slopes! Sandboarding and sandsledding are the must-do adventures at Great Sand Dunes National Park—just like snowboarding, but on sun-warmed sand. 

Plan ahead to rent a board or sled from local outfitters and be ready to pay a small fee for the thrill of gliding down the tallest dunes in North America!

Leave No Trace

While exploring, we encourage you to abide by the leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the outdoors responsibly with our commitment to preserving natural wonders. 

Respect wildlife habitats, minimize your footprint, and create memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you contribute to the longevity and beauty of our planet's most stunning landscapes.

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 Great Sand Dunes Itinerary to prep for an epic day.

Need help? Email us anytime at aloha@shakaguide.com!

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