NPS Photo by Patrick Myers
A child prepares to "catch a wave" in Medano Creek.
How do you pronounce "Medano"?
Médano is a Spanish word that means "sand dune". It is pronounced "MED-ah-no". In the original Spanish there is an accent on the é.
Medano Creek Month by Month
Below are some tips of what to expect in an average year. Years of unusually high or low snowpack will mean longer or shorter creek flow, and deeper or shallower levels. Throughout the season, creek flow is highest at dawn, and lowest at dusk.
April is often one of the snowiest months at Great Sand Dunes, but there can also be some sunny days with highs in the 60s. Spring is the windy season throughout the southwest, especially afternoons, though mornings are usually calm. The creek begins to trickle down as the snow on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains melts. By late April the creek may be a few inches deep. Cottonwood trees and willows along the creek are usually not yet leafed out.
Mid-to-late May is usually the peak of Medano Creek's annual flow. While it is still springtime and winds may arise, especially in the afternoon, May temperatures are usually moderate, with highs in the 60s-70s F. Trees and bushes along the creek begin to leaf out. While there are a few "no-see-ums" (tiny biting gnats), mosquitoes are rarely out in May. May is the best opportunity to experience "surge flow", where waves up to about 12" (20 cm) high flow down across the sand. In wet years with good peak runoff, young children can float down the waves on flat inflatable toys. Because of the creek's popularity, May and June weekends are often very crowded, sometimes including lines of traffic, overflowing parking lots, and a crowded beach area. If possible, try to avoid these weekends to have a better experience of the park.
June brings warmer temperatures for water play, but also mosquitoes. Go away from vegetation, upstream, and on the far side of the creek to avoid the majority of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes don't like open sand, but prefer to be near shady bushes and trees. As the water level decreases, it also increases in temperature, making it more comfortable for extended play. Because of the creek's popularity, May and June weekends are often very crowded, sometimes including lines of traffic, overflowing parking lots, and a crowded beach area. If possible, try to avoid these weekends to have a better experience of the park.
In July, unless there is a high snowpack or significant ongoing rains, the creek will usually begin to retreat back toward the mountains, drying up at the main visitor area near the Dunes Parking Lot. The creek will usually continue to gently flow along the eastern edge of the dunefield, near the Castle Creek picnic area. Castle Creek is accessible by high clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road. Visitors may also access the creek late summer by hiking approximately 2 miles (3.5 km) up the creekbed from the Dunes Parking Lot, or approximately 0.7 miles (1km) from the Point of No Return parking area. Mosquitoes begin to decrease after the water retreats. July is the warmest month at the park, with average highs in the low 80s F.
In August and September, the creek is usually completely gone from the main visitor area near the Dunes Parking Lot. It will usually continue to gently flow along the eastern edge of the dunefield, near the Castle Creek picnic area. Castle Creek is accessible by high clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road. Visitors may also access the creek late summer by hiking approximately 2 miles (3.5 km) up the creekbed from the Dunes Parking Lot, or approximately 0.7 miles (1km) from the Point of No Return parking area. Mosquitoes usually disappear along with the creek.
