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Great Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveGreat Sand Dunes and Medano Creek
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Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Operating Hours & Seasons
 
Hiker on Dunes
NPS Photo by Scott Hansen
You may hike on the dunes 24 hours a day. A free permit from the Visitor Center is needed if you plan to camp on the dunes at night.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is open 24 hours a day, all year. In winter, the Visitor Center hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, except for federal holidays, when the building is closed. In spring and fall, the Visitor Center is generally open 9-5; longer hours may exist as staffing permits. Summer hours at the Visitor Center are generally 9-6.  Call ahead at (719)378-6399 for specific hours on the days you plan to visit.

Since the campground is self-registration and first-come, first-served, you may self-register for a site 24 hours a day when sites are available. 

Upper Sand Creek Lake  

Did You Know?
Alpine lakes such as Upper Sand Creek Lake are part of the mountain watershed of Great Sand Dunes, and provide a dramatic contrast to the stark dunefield.
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Last Updated: August 16, 2006 at 12:19 EST