News Release

Great Sand Dunes Announces Closures to Prepare for Visitor Center Exhibit Installation

An illustration depicting one end of an interactive, multi-ecosystem diorama, part of the new exhibits to be installed.

EDX

News Release Date: May 18, 2023

Contact: Kathy Faz, 719-378-6341

MOSCA, CO – Great Sand Dunes began a visitor center remodeling project in early August 2022 to renovate the public restrooms, the lobby, and interior exhibit space in preparation for new exhibits to be installed in May 2023. As the park prepares for the next phase of the project, the installation of visitor center exhibits, the visitor center will be undergoing temporary closures and adjustments to park operations from Monday, May 22 to Sunday, May 28. The interior exhibit space will be open to visitors starting Monday, May 29 at 9am.

Installation of interior exhibits will begin on Monday, May 22 and continue over 5 to 6 days. On Monday, May 22, the visitor center restroom facilities, and water fill-up station will not be accessible to allow for contractors to unload the exhibits and prepare the space for installation. Portable restrooms will be available in the in the visitor center parking lot. Flush toilets and water fill-up stations are available at the Dunes Parking Lot. The visitor center restroom facilities are expected to reopen on Tuesday, May 23 from 9am until 4:30pm.

A temporary trailer has been set up in the parking lot where visitors can purchase limited merchandise from the Western National Parks Association (WNPA) store, pick up park maps and visitor guides, stamp their passport book from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4:30pm while the interior exhibits are installed. The WNPA park store will continue to operate out of the temporary trailer on Monday, May 29 and will be closed on Tuesday, May 30 to move their inventory into the new park store in the newly renovated visitor center. The WNPA store closure will limit visitors’ ability to purchase merchandise, but they encourage visitors to visit their website, www.wnpa.org to make an online purchase during the closure The WNPA park store will re-open on Wednesday, June 1 at 9am in the newly renovated space, and the visitor center will be fully opened with the new exhibits in place.

Park staff ask visitors to be patient and understanding through this final phase of the renovation project. These dates may change due to unforeseen circumstances, but park rangers will continue to update visitors as soon as possible. Visitors are encouraged to check the park website, call the visitor center, or follow the park’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) for the most up-to-date information. The visitor center renovations and the planning and development of the interior exhibits are funded by recreation fee revenue collected at the entrance station and campground. 

The park is excited to showcase the new exhibits which were a collaborative effort with multiple program areas at Great Sand Dunes, affiliated tribal members, Western National Parks Association, and project managers with the National Park Service Harpers Ferry Center.