You may wonder what options there are for hiking in Great Sand Dunes National Park. While it may not sound overly appealing with the steep dunes and the hot sun, there are plenty of options for getting our and hiking in the park. While some of the hikes involve heading up the dunes, many involve hiking on the outskirts with amazing views to reward you for your efforts!
We put together this definitive list of the Best Hikes in Great Sand Dunes National Park, along with a hike that is outside the park that is also outstanding.
In this guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about hiking in Great Sand Dunes National Park, including the Best Hikes, distances and elevation gain, time it will take you to do each hike, trail maps and how to best prepare for your hikes in the park!
Before you head out on your trip, be sure to download a copy of our itinerary for Great Sand Dunes National Park! We cover all you need to know about visiting the park and include maps, hikes and more!
HIKING IN GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK: PREPARATION
Hiking in Great Sand Dunes National Park can have some pretty extreme conditions. Here are a few tips for when you hike in the park:
- Be sure to check on the local weather. Thunderstorms are common in the summertime and can be quite dangerous.
- It can be quite windy in the park. Wind combined with sand can make for a tough hike if you are trekking up the dunes! If you do decide to hike in the wind, be sure to bring eye protection (like ski googles) and protection for your skin from blowing sand.
- The hikes generally don’t have much in the way of shade, so be sure you wear sunblock, sunglasses and a hat.
- Snow can be present well into May and even June, so if you are hiking to a high altitude, be aware that you may encounter snow and it may be dangerous, if not impossible without some kind of gear to get through snow.
- Elevations here are high (over 7,500 feet in the park at the lowest point!). Be sure to plan on it taking a bit longer to hike than you are used to. Also, bring plenty of water and be sure you are hydrated going into your hike.
HIKING TRAILS IN GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK: DISTANCES AND ELEVATION GAIN
Selecting the right hike for you may be a bit challenging, as there are a range of options, from short to long hikes that will take the better part of a day. To help out, we have a couple of charts that help explain the elevation gain vs. distance.
Here are the easy to moderate hikes:
If you are ready for one of the more challenging hikes, here are the ones to choose from:
HIKING TRAILS IN GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK: TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS AND TRAIL MAPS
HIGH DUNE ON THE FIRST RIDGE
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance (round-trip): 2.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 600 feet
- Hiking time (approximate): 2 to 3 hours
High Dune is the easier of the two dunes in the area. It’s one of the more popular dunefield destinations and offers great views of the entire dunefield. The dune peak is 693 feet high, though it’s not the tallest in the park.
The trailhead starts at the Dunes parking area just north of the Visitor Center.
MOSCA PASS TRAIL
- Difficulty: Moderate / Hard
- Distance (round-trip): 6.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 1407 feet
- Hiking time (approximate):5 to 4 hours
Mosca Pass Trail map, courtesy of the National Park Service
This moderately challenging 6.2-mile round-trip hike is a great choice for those seeking a longer trek with more varied terrain. The trail climbs from the valley floor along Mosca Creek, winding through forests and meadows, until reaching Mosca Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (elevation gain of 1,400’). The Mosca Pass Trail was used by American Indians and early settlers as a route into the valley.
The Mosca Pass Trail begins from the Montville/Mosca Pass Trailhead, which is just beyond the visitor center on the right side of the road. Allow 3.5-5 hours for this out-and-back hike.
DUNES OVERLOOK TRAIL
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance (round-trip): 2.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 478 feet
- Hiking time (approximate):5 hours
Dunes Overlook Trail map, courtesy of the National Park Service
This hike leads to a small, hilltop overlook with stunning views of the dunefield and surrounding mountains. Although generally an easy trail, the sandy terrain and mild incline to the overlook will get your heart pumping!
The Dunes Overlook Trail starts from the Piñon Flats Campground, Loop 2. There’s a small parking lot by the trailhead (across from the restroom) for about 5 cars. This is also the trailhead for the Sand Ramp Trail, an 11-mile trail used by backpackers heading to remote campsites in the foothills beyond the dunes. Allow about 2 hours for this hike.
MONTVILLE NATURE TRAIL
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance (round-trip): 0.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 90 feet
- Hiking time (approximate): 30 minutes
This short, easy trail is a great option if you are seeking shelter from the blazing midday sun. The 0.5-mile loop hike starts out as a shady, forested trail that travels along a small creek. The trail then climbs out of the forest to a high point with amazing views of the dunes, Mt. Herard, and the valley below!
The Montville Nature Trail begins from the Montville/Mosca Pass Trailhead which is just beyond the visitor center on the right side of the road. Allow about 30 minutes for this hike.
STAR DUNE
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance (round-trip): 5.8 to 8 miles
- Elevation gain: 1140 feet
- Hiking time (approximate): 6 hours
Star Dune is one of the two tallest dunes in North America (tied with Hidden Dune). The 6.5 to 8-mile roundtrip hike (varies depending on route taken) is not for the faint of heart. It is one of the hardest hikes in the park! The NPS recommends hiking south down the Medano Creek bed until Star Dune comes into view and then following the dune ridgelines to the top.
WELLINGTON DITCH TRAIL
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance (round-trip): 2.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 150 feet
- Hiking time (approximate): 60 to 75 minutes
Wellington Ditch Trail map, courtesy of the National Park Service
With minimal elevation gain, this 2.3-mile hike (out-and-back) is another great option for hikers of all abilities. This easy trail offers great views of the dunes and is rarely busy. It can be hiked year-round; except we do not recommend hiking it midday in hotter months since the trail has little shade.
The Wellington Ditch Trail begins from the Montville/Mosca Pass Trailhead which is just beyond the visitor center on the right side of the road. Since this trail connects the Montville Nature Trail and Piñon Flats Campground, it can also be hiked as an out-and-back from Loop 3 of the campground. Allow 1-1.5 hours for this hike.
HIDDEN DUNE
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance (round-trip): 4 miles
- Elevation gain: 740 feet
- Hiking time (approximate): 5 hours
Hidden Dune is one of the two tallest dunes in North America (tied with Star Dune). A challenging 4-mile roundtrip hike is required to reach this dune which is hidden by a false summit for much of the hike. Since there are no trails and the summit is hidden most of the time, route finding can make this hike tricky.
Hidden Dune starts from the Castle Creek Picnic Area, where 4WD is required.
SAND SHEET LOOP INTERPRETIVE TRAIL
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance (round-trip): 0.25 miles
- Elevation gain: Minimal
- Hiking time (approximate): 15 minutes
This easy loop trail departs from the visitor center and passes through grasslands in front of the dunefield. The nature trail is gravel and well-maintained, so it is a good choice for those looking for something short and sweet with good views.
The Sand Sheet Loop Interpretive Trail begins from behind the visitor center. Allow 15 minutes.
HIKES IN GREAT SAND DUNES REQUIRING A 4WD AND HIGH CLEARANCE
Most people never get to explore beyond the main use area of Great Sand Dunes and are surprised to hear that alpine lakes and summits are also a part of the park. If you have a high clearance 4WD, you can access hiking trails that lead to alpine paradises like Medano Lake or Upper and Lower Sand Creek Lakes.
MEDANO LAKE TRAIL
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance (round-trip): 8.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 2340 feet
- Hiking time (approximate): 5 to 6 hours
Medano Lake Trail map, courtesy of the National Park Service
The Medano Lake Trailhead can only be accessed from the Medano Pass Primitive Road. The trail starts at about 10,000’ and climbs another 2,000’ through meadow and forest until reaching an alpine lake. This moderately challenging 8-mile out-and-back hike is only accessible when Medano Pass Primitive Road is open (late May through November). Snow may linger on the trail through the month of June. Advanced hikers may want to continue to the summit of Mount Herard, an additional 1.5 steep miles and about 2,000’ elevation gain.
The trailhead can only be accessed from the Medano Pass Primitive Road.
UPPER AND LOWER SAND CREEK LAKES
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance (round-trip): 8 miles
- Elevation gain: 2000 feet
- Hiking time (approximate): 6 hours
From the Music Pass Trailhead, hike through forest, meadows, and alpine tundra to reach either Upper or Lower Sand Creek Lake. The roundtrip hike to either lake is about 8 miles and climbs about 2,000’. Snow may block the trails to Upper and Lower Sand Creek Lakes from November through June, so check with a ranger before making the long trip to the trailhead.
To reach the Music Pass Trailhead from the main use area of Great Sand Dunes NP&P, you’ll need to drive 2 ½ hours and have a 4WD vehicle.
BACKPACKING IN GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK
For a truly unique experience, consider spending a night camping in the sand. Hike into the dunes backcountry (west of the highest ridgeline) or choose a designated site along the Sand Ramp Trail. Backpacking permits are available year-round by reservation only. Visit recreation.gov for more details on backcountry permits.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK FROM JUST GO TRAVEL STUDIOS
- We have a couple of other articles that can help you out with your planning, including Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Camping in Great Sand Dunes National Park.
- Upon returning, send us a photo and we’ll create an amazing custom, vintage-style poster!
