The Best Backpacking in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Looking for the best backpacking in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top backpacking spots in and near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
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Alamosa County, Colorado
Backpack the Great Sand Dunes
4.8Few places can match the epic scale of this bizarre wilderness in southern Colorado. Great Sand Dunes National Park contains 750 foot tall sand dunes (the tallest in North America) resting at the foot of 13,000 foot peaks (the Sangre de Cristo range). However, to really experience the park in its...Read more -
Alamosa County, Colorado
Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP
5.06.49 mi / 1549 ft gainThe Mosca Pass trail is an (approx) 6.5 mile out and back hike that takes you through beautiful ponderosa and aspen forests to summit 1500 above the start. The trailhead parking is the first left after the Great Sand Dunes visitor center. It is a moderate hike, but allow for several hours, as the...Read more -
Gardner, Colorado
Mount Lindsey (CLOSED)
1.08.5 mi / 3300 ft gainNOTE: As of September 2021, Mount Lindsey has been closed to public access indefinitely. (Source) At 14,042 Mt. Lindsey is not one of the tallest 14ers, but it is a fun objective regardless. The Lily Lake trailhead can be somewhat difficult to access without a high clearance car, but most cars ...Read more -
Mosca, Colorado
South Zapata Lake Trail
8.96 mi / 3012 ft gainSouth Zapata Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Mosca, Colorado.Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
Humboldt Peak Trail
10.83 mi / 4137 ft gainHumboldt Peak Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Nederland, Colorado.Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
South Colony Lakes Trail
5.08.92 mi / 2241 ft gainSouth Colony Lakes Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Crestone, Colorado.Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
Crestone Peak Trail
12.93 mi / 5436 ft gainCrestone Peak Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Crestone, Colorado.Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
Hike to Willow Lake, CO
5.09 mi / 2800 ft gainNestled in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, Willow Lake offers a stunning destination to a rigorous hike. The hike is approximately 9 miles out and back with 2800 feet of elevation gain. The trail is well marked and maintained. However, the hike rarely levels off. Be prepared for a steady incline...Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
Summit Kit Carson Peak
12.4 mi / 6323 ft gainThere are a couple different trailheads that lead to Kit Carson Peak, but the one from Willow Creek Trailhead will give you the opportunity to peak another fourteener, Challenger Point, and let you pass through and/or camp at Willow Lake, which is a beautiful destination by itself. If approaching...Read more -
Mosca, Colorado
Summit Little Bear Peak
12 mi / 5000 ft gainThis hike starts on Lake Como Road with the goal of eventually reaching Lake Como. If you have a modified 4WD car you can get all the way to the lake in it, but if you do not feel like risking damage to your vehicle park as low as you deem necessary to do that. Most 4WD stock vehicles can make ...Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
North Crestone Creek Trail
11.29 mi / 3212 ft gainNorth Crestone Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Crestone, Colorado.Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
Lower and Upper Macey Lakes Via Rainbow Trail
12.66 mi / 2910 ft gainLower and Upper Macey Lakes Via Rainbow Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Westcliffe, Colorado.Read more -
Lake Como Trailhead, Colorado
Summit Blanca and Ellingwood Peaks
7 mi / 6800 ft gainBlanca Peak is nestled at the heart (and the top) of a four peak ceiling located at the southern-most tip of Colorado's intimidating Sangre de Christo range. The peak is known for its impeccable 360 degree views, as you can see well over 100 miles in every direction thanks to Colorado's clean, c...Read more -
Alamosa, Colorado
Ellingwood Point via Lake Como Road
19.14 mi / 6289 ft gainEllingwood Point via Lake Como Road is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Mosca, Colorado.Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
Rito Alto Four Pass Loop
23.37 mi / 6457 ft gainRito Alto Four Pass Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Westcliffe, Colorado.Read more -
Westcliffe, Colorado
Backpack to Sand Creek Lakes
5.04 mi / 1700 ft gainStart at the Music Pass trail head south of Westcliffe, Colorado off County Road 119. You will need a 4x4 with high clearance to get to the actual trailhead as the last 2.5 miles are rough. Otherwise, park at the Crape Creek TH and walk the 2.5 miles up to Music Pass Trailhead.Once on the trail...Read more
