Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is famous for having the tallest dunes in North America, in a dunefield spanning 30 square miles. There are no trails in the dunefield-proper, meaning that hikers can go anywhere they desire. The wind erases the tracks every night. The most popular dune destination is High Dune, which, in itself, is a 3-mile roundtrip hike. It is on the first ridge, seen from the Castle Creek Picnic Area, and can be reached by most people with little route finding.

About 245 miles north of Albuquerque or 167 miles south from Colorado Springs, the central figure at this park is, of course, the sand dunes — the tallest in North America. While special (but easy-to get) sand sledding and sand boarding equipment is needed during warm months, regular snow sleds and snow boards will work when the dunes are covered in snow. So bring the kids and get ready to ride.

Summer night programs at Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are a great way to experience and understand the night sky and the park’s nocturnal ecology. To make the most out of a nighttime star-viewing excursion, plan on visiting during a moonless night, or a night with a late moonrise, especially during the late summer and fall, to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way. Full moon nights can also make a surreal walk along the dunes without a need for a flashlight.

Sand dunes in the Rocky Mountains? Yes! And not only that, Colorado is home to the tallest dunes in North America, within a dunefield spanning 30 square miles. It’s a long, hot, and solitary hike to reach the very tallest one, called Star Dune. A much more manageable hike can reach a close contender, however, called High Dune. Still, to get there you must wade across a creek then slog through an expanse of sand, choosing your own route to the summit of the dune.

This national park near Alamosa is already otherworldly during the daytime; at night, it’s easy to imagine you’re on another planet. It’s also one of the only wild places in the world where rangers encourage self-guided exploration … in total darkness! To take a gorgeously surreal night-hike without the aid of a flashlight, plan your visit during a full moon. You may be treated to glimpses of the local wildlife, including owl, kangaroo rat, coyote and even bobcat.

About 245 miles north of Albuquerque or 167 miles south from Colorado Springs, the central figure at this park is, of course, the sand dunes — the tallest in North America. While special (but easy-to get) sand sledding and sand boarding equipment is needed during warm months, regular snow sleds and snow boards will work when the dunes are covered in snow. So bring the kids and get ready to ride.

Try sand-sledding at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve to take your sledding skills to the next level. Sand sports like sandboarding, sand-skiing, and sand-sledding are available year-round on the dune field, as long as you stay away from vegetated areas that might cause a potentially dangerous ride. Use sandboards and sleds designed specifically for sliding on sand, and make sure to follow the park’s safety tips to ensure everyone enjoys an unforgettable, unique sledding experience.