NPS Photo by Scott Hansen

Unless you are in the moist, cool sand of Medano Creek, plan to hike with your pet in morning or evening in summer months to avoid hot sand. 

Superintendent Announces Partial Change in Pet Policy at Great Sand Dunes (press release, Feb. 2008, .doc Word file)

Pets are permitted in the main national park day use areas and in the national preserve as long as they are kept on a leash less than 6 feet long. They are not permitted in the national park backcountry. Please keep the park clean by cleaning up after your pet. 

Complete Pet Guidelines and Map of Permitted Pet Areas (.pdf file, 209 kb)