Great Sand Dunes Partners
Friends of the Dunes have sponsored archeological research and field work since 1989, including research on the culturally peeled trees in the park. NPS Photo Friends of the Dunes, Inc. was founded in 1989 to provide a forum for citizen involvement at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The Friends have sponsored many events, symposiums, and research projects at the park. 
Colorado Field Institute sponsors in-depth programs on the natural and cultural resources of the San Luis Valley. Photo by Erich Schwiesow, courtesy Colorado Field Institute 
14,037' Little Bear Peak (left) and 14,345' Blanca Peak (center) are two of the high peaks in the Sangre de Cristo Range near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. NPS Photo by Patrick Myers US Forest Service Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve are surrounded on the north, south, and east by lands managed by the US Forest Service, including the Rio Grande National Forest (west side of the Sangre de Cristos) and the San Isabel National Forest (east side of the Sangre de Cristos). Eight 14,000' peaks and many other peaks, valleys, alpine lakes and streams are found within these two national forests of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. 
NPS Photo Bureau of Land Management The BLM manages lands near the park, including popular Zapata Falls and Blanca Wetlands. 
San Luis Lake (pictured) and San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area are located at the western edge of Great Sand Dunes National Park. NPS Photo Colorado State Parks San Luis Lake State Park features a large natural lake now maintained at year-round levels through a canal system. San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area protects a wetland complex adjacent to Great Sand Dunes National Park. San Luis Lakes are part of the Great Sand Dunes' wetland system called the sabkha. 
Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge is one of three national refuges in the San Luis Valley. NPS Photo by Scott Hansen US Fish and Wildlife Service Because of its many wetlands and strategic location for many unusual migratory birds, the San Luis Valley is home to three national wildlife refuges. Two are currently open to the public. The third, Baca National Wildlife Refuge, is not open to the public at this time; management planning is scheduled in coming years. Baca NWR was created in 2004 as part of the expansion of Great Sand Dunes National Monument into a national park and preserve, protecting the entire natural hydrological system of the Great Sand Dunes. Alamosa NWR is located a few miles southeast of Alamosa, Colorado. It features wetlands along the Rio Grande River. Monte Vista NWR is south of Monte Vista, Colorado. This refuge contains many restored or enhanced wetlands associated with agricultural lands. It is one of the hotspots in the valley to view thousands of sandhill cranes each spring and fall. 
NPS Photo by Patrick Myers Fort Garland Fort Garland's history is intertwined to some extent with that of Great Sand Dunes. Each year both work together to host Old Stories, New Voices, connecting inner city and minority youth to their natural and cultural heritages. Browse the Colorado Historical Society's web pages on Fort Garland. 
Alamosa and Saguache Counties feature many museums, cultural events, galleries, and cuisine that reflect the rich heritage of the American West. NPS Photo Alamosa County and Saguache County Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is situated in Saguache County and Alamosa County. The closest town to the park and its mailing address is Mosca, Colorado. 
Photo collage courtesy of Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway Part of the national system of scenic and historic byways, Los Caminos Antiguos gives the traveler a taste of the diverse cultural and natural resources of the San Luis Valley. From historic adobe churches in the southern part of the valley to an organic quinoa farm near Mosca, the valley's rich heritage comes to life. 
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Did You Know?
Free ranger programs are offered regularly at Great Sand Dunes from May-September, and on request the rest of the year. Most programs welcome all ages. More...