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Weather in Great Sand Dunes
North America's tallest sand dunes in Colorado
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About Great Sand Dunes
Great Sand Dunes National Park encompasses 150,000 acres of North America's tallest sand dunes, rising 750 feet from the San Luis Valley floor. Snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains provide stunning backdrop, contrast between pale sand and alpine peaks staggering.
Best months to visit
June, July, August, September
Things to do in Great Sand Dunes
Dune sledding: plastic saucer descending steep slopes
Dune hiking: Star Dune and High Dune peaks ascent
Medano Creek flowing and summer water splashing
Backcountry dune camping: night sky and silence immersion
Sangre de Cristo Mountain hiking: alpine trails access
Sand boarding: professional lessons on dune faces
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
-1C
Cold, with occasional showers.
February
2C
Cold, with occasional showers.
March
7C
Cold, with occasional showers.
April
13C
Cool, with occasional showers.
May
18C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
Recommended
June
26C
Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
July
27C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
Recommended
August
26C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
Recommended
September
23C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
October
15C
Cool, and mostly sunny skies.
November
7C
Cold, and mostly sunny skies.
December
1C
Cold, and mostly sunny skies.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of America's strangest landscapes — North America's tallest sand dunes, some over 750 feet high, piled up against the base of the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo mountains in southern Colorado. Visitors sandboard and sled down the dunes, wade across the shallow, ever-shifting Medano Creek in late spring, and camp under some of the darkest skies in the country.
Best areas to stay in Great Sand Dunes
Main dune field
The primary access point near the visitor centre, where most visitors climb and sandboard the highest dunes.
Medano Creek
A seasonal creek at the base of the dunes, often with surge flow in late spring, popular for wading and play.
Pinyon Flats Campground
The park's main campground, offering some of the darkest night skies in the US for stargazing.
Zapata Falls (nearby)
A short hike to a waterfall in a narrow canyon just outside the park, a cool contrast to the hot dunes.
Getting to Great Sand Dunes
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Flights
Fly into Denver (DEN) or Colorado Springs (COS), then drive 3.5-4.5 hours to the park.
⏱
From London
~10-12 hours from London to Denver or Colorado Springs, plus a long drive into the San Luis Valley.
🚕
Getting around
A car is essential; once at the dune field, all exploration is on foot across the sand.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Great Sand Dunes?
Late May to early June is best for Medano Creek's seasonal flow at the base of the dunes; spring and autumn offer cooler sand temperatures for hiking.
Can you climb the dunes?
Yes — there are no marked trails, just open access to climb wherever you like; the highest dunes are a strenuous few hours round trip.
What is sandboarding?
Sliding down the dunes on a board or sled, similar to snowboarding; specialised sandboards can be rented in the nearby town of Alamosa or at park concessions.
Is the sand hot?
Yes, sand surface temperatures can exceed 60°C on summer afternoons — visit early morning or evening, and wear shoes.
How do I get around the park?
A car is needed to reach the visitor centre and dune field parking; from there it's all on foot across the sand.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Caught Medano Creek flowing at the base of the dunes and the kids spent hours just splashing around before we climbed the dunes themselves.
Tom A. · May 2024
★★★★☆
Sandboarding down the high dunes was exhausting to climb but so much fun on the way down. Go early before the sand gets scorching hot.
Becca L. · September 2023
★★★★★
Stayed overnight at Pinyon Flats and the stars were unbelievable, some of the best night skies I've seen anywhere in the US.
Mike F. · July 2024
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