The Best Hiking in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Looking for the best hiking 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 hiking spots in and near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
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Mosca, Colorado
Hike High Dune at Great Sand Dunes National Park
4.82.5 mi / 700 ft gainThe Great Sand Dunes are one the most unique landscapes in Colorado. These massive dunes are the tallest sand dunes in North America. Hiking these dunes can be very difficult, but well worth the amazing views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. If you plan on visiting in the summer, be sure t...Read more -
Mosca, Colorado
Sand Dunes Loop Trail
5.03 mi / 650 ft gainSand Dunes Loop Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Mosca, Colorado.Read more -
Mosca, Colorado
Little Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake
25.24 mi / 3494 ft gainLittle Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Mosca, Colorado.Read more -
Mosca, Colorado
Pinion Flats Campground Trail
1 mi / 89 ft gainPinion Flats Campground Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Mosca, Colorado.Read more -
Mosca, Colorado
Dunes Trail from Pinyon Flats
4.39 mi / 784 ft gainDunes Trail from Pinyon Flats is a loop trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Mosca, Colorado.Read more -
Alamosa County, Colorado
Sandboard in Great Sand Dunes National Park
4.7Outside of the national park there are two different companies that can rent sand boards and sleds for your day use at around $20 per board per day. However, If it is raining a lot and the dunes are too wet, or if the dunes are frosted over both companies will not rent out their boards in order t...Read more -
Mosca, Colorado
Hike to Star Dune
5.08 mi / 750 ft gainThere is no established trail or route to summit Star Dune which is the beauty of the ever changing and serene nature in the Great Sand Dune National Park. Star Dune is the tallest sand dune in North America, at 750' tall and reaching a summit of 8617'. However, High Dune to its north is at a hig...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 -
Mosca, Colorado
Montville Nature Trail
0.48 mi / 102 ft gainMontville Nature Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Mosca, Colorado.Read more -
Mosca, Colorado
Wellington Ditch Trail
1.91 mi / 171 ft gainWellington Ditch Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Mosca, Colorado.Read more -
Gardner, Colorado
Medano Lake Trail
7.88 mi / 2313 ft gainMedano Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Westcliffe, Colorado.Read more -
Hooper, Colorado
Camp at Mosca Campground
Where to camp: San Luis State Park is located 15 miles west of Great Sand Dunes National Park, San Luis State Park features views of San Luis Lake, the Great Sand Dunes and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The campground provides water and hot showers, which we enjoyed after a day of hiking the d...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
Zapata Falls Trail Extended Route
5.99 mi / 1398 ft gainZapata Falls Trail Extended Route is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Mosca, Colorado.Read more -
Mosca, Colorado
Zapata Falls and North Fork South Zapata Creek
7.87 mi / 3271 ft gainZapata Falls and North Fork South Zapata Creek is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Mosca, Colorado.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
