Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

The tallest sand dune system in North America, rising up to 750 feet from the floor of the San Luis Valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The dunes are bordered in spring by Medano Creek, a shallow, seasonal stream whose pulsing flow surges and stops in natural cycles, creating a beach-like environment popular with families. Star Dune, the tallest in the park, requires a strenuous 8-mile round trip. The surrounding high-altitude desert and mountain backdrop create a surreal and photogenic landscape.