Great Sand Dunes Sandboarding Excursion

Experience the unique thrill of sandboarding at Great Sand Dunes National Park, where the vast sandy landscapes offer an exhilarating ride unlike any other, with a relaxing hot springs soak to finish off the day.

Last updated: Apr 2024

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Around $20 per day for sandboard rentals
More than 500 Miles from you
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Description

Begin your sandboarding adventure at Great Sand Dunes National Park, where the sprawling dunes provide a perfect natural playground. This activity allows you to glide across the sand on specially designed boards, similar to snowboarding but tailored to the desert’s unique conditions. Visitors should start at the main Dunes Parking Area and be prepared for a hike to reach the best slopes. The experience is best enjoyed in the cooler morning hours to avoid the midday heat. The park offers spectacular views and an adrenaline-pumping ride down slopes that can be enjoyed by beginners and experienced boarders alike. Wrap up your day by returning your sandboard and relaxing at Sand Dunes Recreation's hot springs, a perfect way to soothe your muscles after a day on the dunes.

What's included

Perfect for

For solo

For two

For groups

Outdoorsy

Exciting

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Itinerary

Arrive early at the park to secure a parking spot and beat the heat.
Rent your sandboarding gear from Oasis Store, Kristi Mountain Sports, or Sand Dunes Recreation.
Hike to the dune field, which can be about 0.7 to 1.25 miles from the parking area.
Spend the morning sandboarding down the dunes.
Return your equipment to the rental spot. If you rented from Sand Dunes Recreation, enjoy a relaxing soak in their hot springs.
Head back after a refreshing and rejuvenating end to your day.

Location

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado

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Packing List

Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Sturdy closed-toed shoes
Water bottle
Camera or smartphone for photos
Swimsuit and towel (for hot springs visit)

4.8 ● Google reviews

This park is great. Visitors center has a fairly big gift shop, movie, and some other information about the land, history, and wildlife. Trails can be tough but views are incredible. Went once in April and it was pretty dead. Went again in October and it was busy but not crazy. It's prettier in October but I enjoyed our April visit more because it was basically just us out there.

One of the must visit places with great view… 1. The sand dunes are huge and surrounded by mountains almost all the sides. It’s a great view for taking a lot of pictures. 2. You can do hikes on sand dunes which is not dangerous but lot of effort to take the peak but absolutely worth it because of the best Mountain View’s from the top of the peaks. 3. You can do camping here as well. 4. IMPORTANT: There will be a river/water flow of ankle length only once a year due to melting ice on the mountain which goes on the side of these sand dunes. It’s absolutely amazing to spend time here during that time. You can play in the water, do camping in the water as well (the water level changes based on ice melting, so be careful). We went around June first week to experience it. Plan during this time and you will have wonderful experience. 5. You can bring food and play tools like volleyball which is also good if you have lot of friends or family members as large group. 6. Check weather before you go.

VISIT the National Parks! We didn’t even know this existed in Colorado. Like I said in previous reviews, all the National Parks have their own uniqueness and Great Sand Dunes didn’t disappoint! There are picnic areas, lots of parking and a small gift shop with an explanation of the dunes. Get the National Park Pass if you plan on visiting more than one park in a year. Make sure you wear shoes, the sand gets hot. I didn’t make it all the way to the top but even where I stood I had a great view. Zoom in to some of my photos to see the people at the top. I believe you can rent sand sleds before you enter the park, which looked like a lot of fun. There are different trails you can do throughout the park that take you by the stream as well. All and all it is a must see! PS don’t forget to bring some water!

Beautiful park to explore with friends and family - and at every physical skill level. Walk across the sand flat, scramble up dunes, sled down, and watch the stars at night. Best times of day to visit are sunrise/early morning and about an hour before sunset. The changing light brings out the contours of the dunes and it’s not as warm. *pro tip - don’t forget to check out the hiking on the non-dune (mountain) side of the park!

A Sahara in our backyard! Definitely add to your Colorado 'Bucket List'. Views are great, climbing is challenging but doable. If you have kids (or your a kid at heart) rent the boards. They have hills of all sizes for the brave and the timid.

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