Sand sledding at Great Sand Dunes
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, CO
- Who it suits
- Families with little kids, families with teens, couples and friends
- How long
- 3, 4 or 5 days
- Getting there
- Fly
- Seasons
- Spring, Summer, Fall
Why it works
- Great Sand Dunes has the tallest dunes in North America, and Star Dune rises 750 feet from its base to its crest.
- Sandboarding and sledding are permitted anywhere on the dunefield away from vegetated areas, and smaller slopes at the base are fine for young children.
- Medano Creek flows seasonally: in an average year it runs from April to late June, and in dry years it may not even reach the main parking area.
- Kids may choose a patch or a badge for completing the Junior Ranger booklet.
Watch out for
- Sand surface temperatures can reach over 150 degrees F on summer afternoons, so plan dune time for early morning or evening in summer.
- The National Park Service does not rent sand sleds or sandboards, so rent them from retailers in the San Luis Valley before you arrive.
Sources
- Great Sand Dunes has the tallest dunes in North America, and Star Dune rises 750 feet from its base to its crest. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- Sandboarding and sledding are permitted anywhere on the dunefield away from vegetated areas, and smaller slopes at the base are fine for young children. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- Medano Creek flows seasonally: in an average year it runs from April to late June, and in dry years it may not even reach the main parking area. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- Kids may choose a patch or a badge for completing the Junior Ranger booklet. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- Sand surface temperatures can reach over 150 degrees F on summer afternoons, so plan dune time for early morning or evening in summer. source 1 · source 2 (checked 2026-11-14)
- The National Park Service does not rent sand sleds or sandboards, so rent them from retailers in the San Luis Valley before you arrive. source (checked 2026-11-14)