News Release

07-20-2026 Lower Sand Creek corridor to close temporarily for native trout restoration

The goal of the Lower Sand Creek restoration is for ensuring suitable habitat for the native Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout.

Courtesy of USFWS

News Release Date: July 21, 2026

Contact: Sierra Willoughby, 719-378-6342

MOSCA, Colo. – Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve will temporarily close the area within 20 yards of Sand Creek between the Music Pass Trail and Sand Ramp Trail from July 26 through August 2 while crews conduct a native trout restoration project.

The Music Pass Trail and designated creek crossings will remain open for through travel. Visitors must remain on the trail while passing through the closure area and should not enter or drink water from Sand Creek. The water will not be safe for people, pets or livestock to drink during the project.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the National Park Service will treat the lower Sand Creek drainage to remove existing fish as part of a long-term effort to restore Rio Grande cutthroat trout to their native waters. If the treatment is successful, the agencies anticipate restocking the creek with Rio Grande cutthroat trout in fall 2027.

“We look forward to our ongoing partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to restore this important species in the lower Sand Creek area,” said Park Superintendent Andrea Compton. “The park has had success in restoring the native Rio Grande cutthroat trout habitat in Medano Creek and upper Sand Creek watersheds, and it looks forward to improving the last section of creek for native habitat restoration and for anglers to enjoy once the populations are established.”

The closure extends 20 yards on both sides of Sand Creek, beginning where the creek intersects the Music Pass Trail and continuing downstream to the junction of the Music Pass and Sand Ramp trails. The closure will allow Colorado Parks and Wildlife crews to access the creek and complete the project without interference.

The closure will take effect at 12:01 a.m. July 26 and remain in place through 11:59 p.m. August 2.

-NPS-

Sand Creek Public Closure Notice

W26 -GRSA-VRP
Closure Order #26-02
July 15th, 2026

SAND CREEK PUBLIC CLOSURE

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the National Park Service are working to restore the Rio Grande cutthroat trout to its native waters. In late July, Sand Creek will be treated to remove all fish from the drainage. If all goes as planned, Rio Grande cutthroats will be stocked again in the fall of 2027.

In order to remove the current population of non-native fish, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be treating the waters within the creek to kill the fish. This will require the application of a natural chemical. As such, the water will temporarily be non-potable to drink or use. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will also be working along the shorelines to apply this chemical.

Therefore, to allow Colorado Parks and Wildlife unimpeded access and the ability to complete this project, the following closure is established under the authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, § 1.5 (a)(1) Closures and Public Use Limits:

The following locations shall be closed to public entry:

1.) 20 yards on both sides of Sand Creek from the junction of the creek and the Music Pass Trail, downstream to where the Music Pass Trail connects to the Sand Ramp Trail.

Exception: The hiking trail and creek crossings that run along the length of Sand Creek will remain open for public throughfare use during the closure.
These restrictions go into effect 12:00 a.m on July 26th, 2026 and remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on August 2nd, 2026.

Digitally Signed by Andrea Compton, Superintendent, July 17, 2026

Sand Creek CLOSED to public access from Music Pass Trail Crossing to Sand Ramp Trail Crossing, and 20 Yards from each shoreline of the creek due to native fish restoration activities. Sand Creek Trail remains open and accessible. CAUTION! Water in Sand Creek will be non-potable during closure-- DO NOT DRINK or allow access by pets or livestock.

NPS