Colorado has some of the most amazing views to see and mountains to climb. One of our most famous landscapes happens to be 4 hours south of Denver in the San Luis Valley, The Colorado Sand Dunes. 19,000 acres of deep sand that make you feel like you just walked into Egypt. At the center of this vast sandy land is the tallest sand dune in North America standing at a height of 750 feet.
After thousands of years of rivers, streams, and lakes collecting sand particles, the waters dried up and the western winds in the San Luis Valley picked them up carrying them across the valley. As the winds near the Sangre de Cristo Range they lose their speed dropping the particles at the base of the mountains and creating the Colorado Sand Dunes. While mountain snowmelt will take the particles away from the mountain and back to the valley, they’ll eventually return as the winds bring them back to where they started keeping the Sand Dunes as a permanent national park in our state.
Adventure Is Out There
If you’re looking for adventure but don’t want to make the treacherous hike to the tallest Sand Dune you can rent a sand sled or sand-board at The Great Sand Dunes Oasis right outside the park. For less than $35 you can fly down these hills of speeds up to 40mph (on a sled) or try your balancing skills going down on the boards. (Tip: lean back while you’re sliding down the mountain.) After every ride, you’ll need to reapply a wax given to you when you rent your board to ensure that your board will actually slide down the hills. The boards will also work better if the sand is wet, which is less likely to happen in the middle of the summer during the hottest months.
Advice For Visiting
If you’re thinking of visiting the dunes my first advice is DO IT! You will not regret seeing this amazing landscapes backed by 13,000-foot mountains and a couple 14ers if you’re really looking for an adventure. Nearby there’s a short hike to Zapata Falls which you can see better in late summer after some of the rivers have dried up so you have access to it.
If you are visiting at the beginning or middle of the summer you’ll love seeing the river that runs along side the dunes. It’s a great way to cool off after hiking and sledding the dunes. Be sure to wear closed toed shoes on the dunes as the sand reaches temperatures of 150ºF during the warmest months of the year (June-August).
To get the very best images of the Dunes you’ll want to be there as the sun is going down. The low light will create great shadows on the dunes increasing the contrast and the depth of the image. The warm golden light will add another element to your images making these photos you’ll want to show off to your friends and have framed on your walls for all to see. If you aren’t happy with your own images or can’t make it to the dunes yourself, feel free to stop by my shop and purchase one of my photos to hang on your walls and show the landscape of the perfect adventure!
