News Release

Great Sand Dunes National Park Backpacking Permits Available Online Only Starting November 18, 2020

Backpackers on the dunes

NPS/ Allie Moskal

News Release Date: November 2, 2020

Contact: Kathy Faz, [phone]

[Mosca, CO] – Great Sand Dunes will implement an online permit system for backpacking in the National Park starting November 18, 2020 at 8amMT. Backpackers must purchase a permit for the Dunes Backcountry and the designated backcountry campsites along the Sand Ramp Trail through the Recreation.gov online reservation system.

Permit options include Dunes Backcountry non-designated sites, where campers can pick their own camping spot west of the high ridge in the dunefield. Permit options also include seven designated sites along the Sand Ramp Trail: Buck Creek, Escape Dunes, Indian Grove, Little Medano, Aspen, Cold Creek and Sand Creek. The online permit system is for only backpacking in the National Park. No changes will be made to backpacking in the National Preserve or to car camping along the Medano Pass Primitive Road.

Great Sand Dunes will issue free, backpacking permits until close of business on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at the visitor center between the hours of 9am and 12pm, and 2pm and 4pm. No permits will be issued at the visitor center after November 17, 2020.

Starting November 18, 2020, the following will apply for backpackers seeking a permit:

• Permits must be reserved using Recreation.gov and purchased for a non-refundable $6.00 processing fee per permit. The reservation includes the backcountry permit and an overnight parking permit for each vehicle (up to two). You may print your permit up to seven days prior to your start date. Once printed, no changes can be made.
• Permits are limited to groups of no more than six people and no more than two vehicles per group. The Sand Ramp Trail designated sites allow six people per site. Up to 20 permits per day will be issued for the Dunes Backcountry non-designated sites. Permits may be obtained for a maximum of 14 nights per permit holder.
• Permits are available for advanced reservation year-round on a rolling basis, up to three months prior to the trip start date at 7:00 am PST/10:00 am EST each day. The quota for permits to overnight in the Dunes Backcountry is measured in groups entering per day and number of vehicles per group. Same-day reservations are possible on Recreation.gov if the quota for the Dunes Backcountry has not been reached or if sites along the Sand Ramp Trail have not been reserved. No changes or parking requests will be allowed for same-day reservations.
• The permit holder may cancel their permit seven days prior to entry date. The $6.00 reservation fee is non-refundable. Quota from cancelled permits will be immediately released and available on Recreation.gov.
• Modifications to a permit can be made by visiting Recreation.gov. The permit holder may modify itinerary locations, group size, group member names, emergency contact, or vehicle information prior to printing the permit. Changing the entry date requires a new reservation; reservation fee applies. No modifications to permits will be done at the park.
• Backpacking sites and parking spaces are limited in number and location. A parking lot is assigned based on the location of the first night’s stay. You may request an alternative parking area as you book your trip; Great Sand Dunes staff cannot guarantee your request will be accommodated. Your assigned parking lot will be on your printed permit or by reviewing your permit information in your Recreation.gov account. If your parking request is granted, you cannot make changes or modifications to your permit.
• All Great Sand Dunes National Park backpacking rules and regulations still apply.

For more information on the online permit system, contact the visitor center during operating hours at 719-378-6395.

To learn more about backpacking options in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, visit: https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/backpacking.htm

For more information on first-come, first-serve 4WD car camping along the Medano Pass Primitive Road in the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, visit www.nps.gov/grsa



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