Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is located in southern Colorado and is home to North America's tallest sand dunes, which rise over 750 feet. This unique landscape also features a range of ecosystems, including grasslands, wetlands, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and alpine tundra. The park was established to protect these dynamic dunes along with their surrounding habitats in 2000. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, sandboarding, and exploring the Medano Creek that flows seasonally at the base of the dunes. The park's rich natural history is complemented by diverse wildlife, including elk, black bears, and a wide variety of bird species. Visitors can also immerse in the rich cultural history of the area, with evidence of human presence dating back over 11,000 years.
