Ranger Program Schedule
All programs are outdoors and weather dependent. Other than guided hikes, there are no reservations or sign-ups for programs.
Saturday, June 1
1:30pm Ranger Program: Ecosystem Exploration. Come learn about the many diverse ecosystems found within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, as well as the unique wildlife that inhabits them! Visitor Center, 15-30 minutes.
8:45pm Evening Ranger Program: Bats: The Forgotten Pollinator. The second largest order of mammals is bats. They have been working hard under the cover of night to help pollinate and save foods that we love. Now it is our time to save them. Come find the answers on what is hurting bat populations and how we can help them soar back to normal populations. Amphitheater, Constellation tour after the program if skies are clear. Amphitheater, 35-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
Sunday, June 2
10:00am Ranger Program: The Rings of History. Trees are the longest living organism in the park and are great storytellers of history. Come learn how to tell their stories and create your own. Visitor center, 15 minutes.
1:30pm Guided Hike: Tale of the Plants and Trees. Come take a walk in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and witness the change in landscape that most people drive by. The stories that the plants and rocks hold have immersive stories that relate resilience of the forest to everyday life. Take a step in the past and see how Native American people were able to survive here using medicinal plants and herbs, while keeping your eyes on movement to witness the diversity and landscape. This hike is 0.5 mile (0.8km) with an elevation gain of around 200ft. Bring water and appropriate hiking attire, including closed-toe shoes. Please sign up in advance by stopping by the visitor center or calling 719-378-6395. Meet at Montville/Mosca Pass Trailhead. 1 hour.
Monday, June 3
10:00am Ranger Program: The Mystery of the Sands & Native American People. Join us as we discuss how the dunes formed and learn about the people who survived here. Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
Tuesday, June 4
10:00am Ranger Program: The Mystery of the Sands & Native American People. Join us as we discuss how the dunes formed and learn about the people who survived here. Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
Wednesday, June 5
10:00am Ranger Program: Ecosystem Exploration. Come learn about the many diverse ecosystems found within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, as well as the unique wildlife that inhabits them! Visitor Center, 15-30 minutes.
Thursday, June 6
10:00am Ranger Program: Dunes Dance Moves. The formation of the Great Sand Dunes can be portrayed and felt through simple dance moves. Learn how the dunes were formed as you make these moves along with a ranger! Fun for all ages. Visitor center, 15 minutes.
1:30pm Ranger-Guided Hike: Guardians of the Dunes. Trees from the top of the mountains to the creeks by the dunes have helped watch over the park. Join a ranger on a half mile guided hike and explore together how each species of trees help protect the lands around the dunes. Please wear appropriate hiking attire including closed-toe shoes, bring snacks and a minimum of two liters of water. Please sign up in advance by stopping by the visitor center or calling 719-378-6395. Meet at Montville/Mosca Pass Trailhead. 1 hour.
Friday, June 7
1:30pm Ranger-Guided Hike: Guardians of the Dunes. Trees from the top of the mountains to the creeks by the dunes have helped watch over the park. Join a ranger on a half mile guided hike and explore together how each species of trees help protect the lands around the dunes. Please wear appropriate hiking attire including closed-toe shoes, bring snacks and a minimum of two liters of water. Please sign up in advance by stopping by the visitor center or calling 719-378-6395. Meet at Montville/Mosca Pass Trailhead. 1 hour.
8:45pm Evening Ranger Program: Stars Above the Sand. There are more stars than grains of sand! From dunes in our solar system to the newest images from the James Webb Space Telescope, we’ll explore the unexpected wonders of the universe. Constellation tour after the program if skies are clear. Amphitheater, 35-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
Saturday, June 8
10:00am Ranger Program: Dunes Dance Moves. The formation of the Great Sand Dunes can be portrayed and felt through simple dance moves. Learn how the dunes were formed as you make these moves along with a ranger! Fun for all ages. Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
8:45pm Evening Program: Bats:The Forgotten Pollinator. The second largest order of mammals is bats. They have been working hard under the cover of night to help pollinate and save foods that we love. Now it is our time to save them. Come find the answers on what is hurting bat populations and how we can help them soar back to normal populations. Constellation tour after the program if skies are clear. Amphitheater, 35-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
Sunday, June 9
10:00am Ranger Program: The Rings of History. Trees are the longest living organism in the park and are great storytellers of history. Come learn how to tell their stories and create your own. Visitor center, 15 minutes.Monday, June 1010:00am Ranger Program: Ecosystem Exploration. Come learn about the many diverse ecosystems found within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, as well as the unique wildlife that inhabits them!Visitor Center, 15-30 minutes.
1:30pm Guided Hike: Tale of the Plants and Trees. Come take a walk in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and witness the change in landscape that most people drive by. The stories that the plants and rocks hold have immersive stories that relate resilience of the forest to everyday life. Take a step in the past and see how Native American people were able to survive here using medicinal plants and herbs, while keeping your eyes on movement to witness the diversity and landscape. This hike is 0.5 mile (0.8km) with an elevation gain of around 200ft. Bring water and appropriate hiking attire, including closed-toe shoes. Please sign up in advance by stopping by the visitor center or calling 719-378-6395. Meet at Montville/Mosca Pass Trailhead. 1 hour.
Tuesday, June 11
10:00am Ranger Program: Dunes Dance Moves. The formation of the Great Sand Dunes can be portrayed and felt through simple dance moves. Learn how the dunes were formed as you make these moves along with a ranger! Fun for all ages. Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
Thursday, June 13
10:00am Ranger Program: Ecosystem Exploration. Come learn about the many diverse ecosystems found within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, as well as the unique wildlife that inhabits them! Visitor Center, 15-30 minutes.
1:30pm Ranger Program: The Singing Sands. The Great Sand Dunes are a symphony of geological and animal sounds! Discover how the Great Sand Dunes were formed while making the wild sounds found in the park. Fun for all ages! Visitor Center, 20 minutes.
Friday, June 14
10:00am Ranger Program: The Rings of History. Trees are the longest living organism in the park and are great storytellers of history. Come learn how to tell their stories and create your own. Visitor center, 15 minutes.
8:45pm Evening Ranger Program: Stars Above the Sand. There are more stars than grains of sand! From dunes in our solar system to the newest images from the James Webb Space Telescope, we’ll explore the unexpected wonders of the universe. Constellation tour after the program if skies are clear. Amphitheater, 35-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
Saturday, June 15
10:00am Ranger Program: Dunes Dance Moves. The formation of the Great Sand Dunes can be portrayed and felt through simple dance moves. Learn how the dunes were formed as you make these moves along with a ranger! Fun for all ages. Visitor Center, 15 minutes.
8:45pm Evening Ranger Program: Bats: The Forgotten Pollinator. The second largest order of mammals is bats. They have been working hard under the cover of night to help pollinate and save foods that we love. Now it is our time to save them. Come find the answers on what is hurting bat populations and how we can help them soar back to normal populations. Constellation tour after the program if skies are clear. Amphitheater, 35-minute program with 15-minute constellation tour.
