Any experience with Great Sand Dunes National Park?

[ufdigga]

Hi all,

Some friends and I are planning a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park (CO). Does anyone have experience camping there? Is hammock camping an option at Piñon Flats Campground? Is it an option anywhere else in the park?

Regarding tent camping (blech), has anyone actually camped out IN the dunes? How was the experience? I feel like it would be more of a nuisance than a pleasure.

Thanks,

ufdigga

[oldpappy]

I've been there a couple times (great unique place) and don't see how a hammock would work without a hammock stand (Turtle Dog). I was in my pop-up so I do not have knowledge on the hammock camping rules. People do bivy camp in the dunes - the sand sure is hot during the day so you would want to hike in the evening and get out prior to 10AM.

[MDSH]

Have been there twice, once as a kid in a travel trailer with no AC and once with my own children in a motor home with AC.

Liked it both times very much!

Don't remember any trees from which to hang.

But Cloudcroft is not far away by SW standards and has trees.

[BillyBob58]

Have been there twice, once as a kid in a travel trailer with no AC and once with my own children in a motor home with AC.

Liked it both times very much!

Don't remember any trees from which to hang.

But Cloudcroft is not far away by SW standards and has trees.

Is the OP asking about the dunes down in NM near Cloudcroft(Atomic Bomb test site) or the one across the northern NM border in Colorado's Sangre de Cristos??

[ufdigga]

Thanks all!

Is the OP asking about the dunes down in NM near Cloudcroft(Atomic Bomb test site) or the one across the northern NM border in Colorado's Sangre de Cristos??

I was asking about the Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado, adjacent to the Sangre de Cristos.

[Alamosa]

Love the Sand Dunes. Probably been there over 500 times. Never actually camped in the park though.

Pinion Flats does not have a ton of trees and I doubt you will be able to hang from them. There is a lot of national forest lands around the park if you don't have to stay within the park itself. If you have a 4x4, I would recommend you can pass through the park and camp up Medano Pass in the wilderness area. It is absolutely gorgeous up there, easy access to the Dunes, backcountry camping, great hiking, etc.

You won't be able to camp on the Dunes inside the park, but there are dunes outside the park to the southwest. Be prepared to share it with motorsports enthusiasts though.

The Dunes are massive. It will look like the tallest one is right there and it will tempt you to head out unprepared. However, the tallest ones are over 700 feet and are usually several layers back. As stated, it does get very hot on the sand. DON'T make the mistake of heading out barefoot without your shoes. Trust me on that one. Start early, get back early. Lots of sun screen. Lots of water.

Enjoy yourself. It is an amazing place.

[ufdigga]

Love the Sand Dunes. Probably been there over 500 times. Never actually camped in the park though.

Pinion Flats does not have a ton of trees and I doubt you will be able to hang from them. There is a lot of national forest lands around the park if you don't have to stay within the park itself. If you have a 4x4, I would recommend you can pass through the park and camp up Medano Pass in the wilderness area. It is absolutely gorgeous up there, easy access to the Dunes, backcountry camping, great hiking, etc.

You won't be able to camp on the Dunes inside the park, but there are dunes outside the park to the southwest. Be prepared to share it with motorsports enthusiasts though.

The Dunes are massive. It will look like the tallest one is right there and it will tempt you to head out unprepared. However, the tallest ones are over 700 feet and are usually several layers back. As stated, it does get very hot on the sand. DON'T make the mistake of heading out barefoot without your shoes. Trust me on that one. Start early, get back early. Lots of sun screen. Lots of water.

Enjoy yourself. It is an amazing place.

Great info. Thank you!

Regarding Medano Pass Road: I have an unmodified Ford Explorer 4WD with road tires. That wouldn't be good enough to make it up that road, would it? If not, what about parking at the Point of No Return lot and hiking up?

[Alamosa]

The condition of the road always changes, but you shouldn't have an issue with an Explorer (depending on the time of year). You don't need a lot of traction for the sand, more flotation. The issue arises with the tracks settling and leaving a high centerline that people get stuck on. There is also a small creek crossing that can be deep in the spring during runoff. The rest of the year it is easily passable. It is the low clearance AWD cars that always go past the point of no return and get stuck in the sand.

[NightGlow]

There is a camp ground which is a couple of miles outside the park (Zapata Falls Campground, Mosca, CO 81146) which has plenty of trees to hang your bag. I stayed there last year and it was quiet with good views and access to Zapata Falls which is a short but interesting hike. It takes about 10 minutes to get to the GSNP off Hwy 150. I am not sure if you need reservations as I was their in the off season (March 2014) but here is the information. You will not be disappointed in the location or the amenities.
Zapata Falls Campground

This is a PAY campground. ($12 or less)
BLM road 5415
Blanca, Colorado
GPS: 37.627609, -105.554642
Directions
Public - Forest Service (USDA) (Official)
Website
719-274-6301

[Alamosa]

A beautiful picture of the Sand Dunes that you may enjoy.