Be A Junior Ranger

Kids may choose a patch or a badge upon completing all requirements.

The Junior Ranger Program is a great way for kids to learn about park resources! Most National Park Service areas have Junior Ranger programs; kids can collect badges or patches from over 400 NPS units.

 

Great Sand Dunes Junior Ranger Booklet

Onsite Visit

At Great Sand Dunes, plan on a total visit of at least 2 hours to complete required sections of the Junior Ranger Booklet or do Junior Ranger Backpack activities. (Most families plan about two days to visit this large, diverse park).

Kids can choose one of two ways to earn a badge or patch:

• Complete required age-appropriate sections of the Junior Ranger booklet (available at the visitor center). There are three different age groups in the booklet: 3-6, 7-9, 10-12, and 13 and up. All sections for your age group must be completed to earn a badge or patch.
• Check out a Junior Ranger Backpack with compass, magnet, measuring tape, magnifying glass, binoculars, tracking guide, and more. On your clipboard, draw pictures and record your measurements and observations. Return the backpack to the visitor center and show the ranger your drawings, measurements and observations to earn a badge or patch.

Just stop by the visitor center when you arrive, pick up your booklet or backpack, and go explore!

For more information, please call the Visitor Center at 719-378-6395.

 

Become a Great Sand Dunes Junior Ranger at Home!

While Great Sand Dunes is closed, we are offering you the opportunity to become a Great Sand Dunes Junior Ranger from the comfort of your own home. Complete the activity corresponding to the correct age group below and the Backyard Bingo. Younger children may need the help of a parent or guardian. After completing the activities please email us, providing the following:

• Your name

• Mailing address

• Badge or patch preference

• What activity you completed and something you learned from it

Activities
The Great Sand Dunes activities linked below are on the Hands on the Land website, a partner organization with the National Park Service.

• Ages 3-4: Backyard Bingo activity only. Go outside and mark off everything you find on the Bingo sheet. To complete this activity, you must get 5 in a row in any direction. Happy backyard exploring!
• Ages 5-7: Track Memory
• Ages 8-10: Habitat Search
• Ages 9-12: Raven’s Song
• Ages 13+: Any two activities listed on this page