Field Trip Checklist

Ranger leading program along Medano Creek

NPS Photo

 

Whether self-guided or with a ranger, below are a few tips to keep in mind when planning a trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.

Before Your Visit

• Request an Educational Entrance Fee Waiver if applicable. National Park Service regulations allow academic institutions free entrance, provided the visit is primarily for academic or scientific purposes. Download the request form from the Fees and Passes page.
• Arrange transportation. How will you get to and from the park? How will you get around once you arrive? Make arrangements and secure funding for buses, large vehicles, or personal vehicles to transport your group to and from Great Sand Dunes
• Plan your itinerary. Consider which ranger programs will support the learning goals of your class. Research your choices carefully to ensure that each will fit your schedule and accommodate the size and impact of your group. Self-guided? Follow the link to our Curriculum Materials
• Pack your lunch. Food options are limited in the area. Picnic tables are available in the picnic area located near the Dunes Parking lot. The South Ramada can be reserved in advance by calling [phone]. Buses are unable to drive into picnic area.
• Prepare your students. Are your students ready for a trip to Great Sand Dunes? Before you arrive, discuss Leave No Trace principles. Supplement your learning goals by sharing park-specific educational resources or schedule a virtual ranger visit.
• Pack your bags. Think about the seasonal conditions during the time of year when you plan to visit and bring what you will need for the safety and well-being of your group.
• Check current conditions. As your field trip approaches, check the current conditions on the park website to learn more about Medano Creek flow and weather conditions.

Upon Arrival

• Pay your entrance fees and ask for updates. All visitors aged 16 and older must pay a park entrance fee to enter Great Sand Dunes unless qualified for a fee waiver. If your group does not qualify for an academic fee waiver, or your waiver does not cover every adult in your group, you will need to pay entrance fees at the entrance station. At the visitor center, you can also ask for updates to current conditions that may influence your trip.
• Know where to park. Parking may be influenced by the size and number of vehicles you bring as well as parking needs of other visitors. Bus parking is available at the Dunes Parking lot. Limited bus parking is available at the Visitor Center.
• Find the bathrooms. Bathrooms are available at the Visitor Center (during business hours) and Dunes Parking lot.
• Know where to go. If you have arranged to meet one of our education rangers, make sure you have a map of where to go.

During Your Visit

• Draft a student behavior contract. Encourage students to draft a plan for protecting the park and respecting themselves and other visitors. Consider using or carrying a symbol (a bandana, a stuffed animal, a secret handshake) to remind students of the contract throughout the visit.
• Put your plan in action. Whether with a ranger or on your own, Great Sand Dunes is an incredible classroom for hands-on learning and educational opportunities.

After Departure

• Encourage your students to make a difference. How has Great Sand Dunes inspired your students to think differently about the world? Is there anything about the park that inspires their ideas for a positive change they could implement at the school or local level?

 

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