A day trip from Creede to the Great Sand Dunes

Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the strangest sights in America: the tallest dunes on the continent, piled against the snowy Sangre de Cristo Mountains. From Creede it makes a full and very rewarding day out.

The drive

Follow Highway 149 down the Rio Grande to South Fork, then US 160 east through Del Norte and Monte Vista to Alamosa, and north to the park. Allow about two hours each way. The flat, open San Luis Valley is a dramatic contrast with the canyons around Creede.

• Del Norte: a historic small town on the Rio Grande, good for coffee.
• Monte Vista: famous for sandhill cranes in spring and autumn at the nearby national wildlife refuge.
• Alamosa: the largest town in the valley, with fuel, food and supplies.

At the dunes

• Climb a dune: there are no trails on the sand, so pick a ridge and climb. The view from the top is worth every slipping step.
• Medano Creek: in late spring and early summer, snowmelt creates a shallow creek at the foot of the dunes, perfect for paddling.
• Sandboarding and sand sledding: rent a board or sled outside the park and slide down the steep faces.
• The visitor center: learn how the dunes formed and check the conditions for the day.

Timing and safety

• Arrive early or stay late. On summer afternoons the sand can get hot enough to burn bare feet.
• Watch for lightning: get off the dunes when storms approach.
• Carry plenty of water, sun protection and closed shoes.
• Check current fees and conditions with the National Park Service.

Make it a two-day trip

Stay the night in Alamosa and see the dunes at sunset and sunrise, or continue south to Antonito to ride the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad over the mountains into New Mexico.