I have always wondered why people travel hundreds or sometimes even thousands of miles, across continents and oceans, plains and mountain ranges, without first exploring the places right in their backyard. Sure, we all have a craving for the exotic, the unknown, and the unfamiliar, but doesn’t it make logical sense to first experience what is right in front of us? I think so.

Of course one day I want to explore the far corners of the Earth. But today, while I’m young (and let’s face it, pretty broke) I want to take time to experience all that my beautiful state has to offer. Future me can think about investing more time and money into all the other travels I want to do. Present me is focused on crossing off places from my bucket right in my backyard. First up is The Great Sand Dunes National Park.

The Great Sand Dunes are about a four hour drive from Denver, straight south. Although not totally out of the question, it would be hard to make just a day trip down to the dunes. Especially with all there is to do and see. That is why we decided to make our trip a long weekend.

I can honestly say that driving up to the dunes and seeing them for the first time was something straight out of a movie. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Right in the middles of a mountain range lay this vast desert of sand, perfectly formed by the wind and elements. What a strange and beautiful sight.

The Great Sand Dunes are the tallest sand dunes in North America. They reach up to 750 ft tall and contain 5 billion cubic meters of sand. I am still In awe that such an amazing natural wonder is just hours from my house. I’m only a little bitter that I wasn’t able to experience their splendor sooner.

The first night we arrived quite late, around 8 o’clock. Nonetheless we decided to backpack into the dunes to sleep beneath the stars in complete isolation. Most of the hike in we were hiking in the dark, with nothing to guide us besides dim headlamps.

The National Park is quite strict about backpacking on the dunes. They only allow 20 campsites each night and you are required to set up camp past the highest dune, which is about a mile and a half hike. It may not seem like much but hiking in the sand is no walk in the park. With each step you take, you slide back down a foot or so and the steep inclines make your calves feel like they are on fire. Do not underestimate how hard it is to hike the dunes.

Although hiking in the dark had its own challenges, I am glad that we were not hiking in the middle of the day. It is during the middle of the day that the sand can reach upwards of 150 degrees, enough to give your feet third degree burns. Another plus was that the mosquitos were not as bad. Right before sundown, near the water is where the mosquitos were the worst. Even after putting on bug spray I got numerous bug bites. I stopped counting at one hundred.

Once we decided on a spot to set up camp, we quickly assembled our tents and cooked dinner. In the dunes you are only allowed gas stoves, no open fires are permitted. The rest of our night consisted of star gazing and talks of morning. I have never seen so many stars in my entire life.

We woke up just in time for sunrise, climbed to the tallest peak in proximity, and watched as light rays peaked through the San Juan Mountains and illuminated the golden sand.

I went back to bed and didn’t wake up till 9 o’clock. After packing up our stuff it was nearly 10. I could already feel the sun starting to pound down on us and the sand beginning to warm. We quickly made our descent out of fear of burning our feet if we waited much longer.

Disney’s Aladdin was instantly real life

The second night we decided to forgo backpacking and instead got a car campsite off Medano Pass road, a road only accessible by 4-wheel drive. We set up camp and then drove to the Osasis, a small gas station and restaurant right outside the park, where we rented two sleds and a sand board.

Although trekking up to the top of the dunes is hard work, the ride down is worth it. Make sure to use plenty of wax and you will fly down. The boards can go upwards of 40 miles per hour but it felt like even faster. I would not recommend getting the sand board, it is hard to maneuver. Even my brother, an expert snowboarder, had a hard time using it.

Tips for visiting the Great Sand Dunes during Summer

• Bring lots of bug spray and sunscreen and reapply it frequently
• If you want to be able to access the off-road campsites makes sure your vehicle has 4-wheel drive and a high clearance
• Also, make sure to decrease your tire pressure so you don’t get stuck in the sand (the lady at the visitor center said they pull out stuck cars all day long, especially Subaru’s)
• Don’t venture out onto the dunes mid-day during summer, it’s hotter than you think
• Wear shoes if you do go out on the dunes during the day to prevent burning your feet
• Drink lots of water
• If you are trying to backpack onto the dunes get in line for a permit early, it is first come first serve (the office opens at 9 get there at 8:30 on busy weekends)
• Plan carefully (meals, essentials etc.), there is only one small store near the dunes and everything is overpriced
• Wake up early to watch the sunrise
• If you are going to rent boards, rent the sleds not the standup boards
• The best time to visit the dunes is during late May and early June, when the river is running the highest
• Leave no trace, let’s keep our National Parks beautiful

If you have any more advice I would love to hear from you. Leave any tips in the comments below or comment what National Park I should visit next!

Xoxo,

Cara