Camping

Camping and Overnight Parking by Permit Only In Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Sleeping in vehicles, or camping outside of designated areas, is prohibited in Great Sand Dunes National Park. Please visit recreation.gov for backcountry backpacking permits, for Pinon Flats Campground Reservations, and for other camping options outside of the park. High clearance 4WD vehicle based camping is available in up to 21 sites (first come, first served) in the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve when the Medano Pass Primitive Road is open. Check here for road status.

 

NPS/Patrick Myers

Piñon Flats Campground

Paved Road Access

This is the main vehicle-based campground with paved access roads. Individual and group campsites are by reservation only at Recreation.gov. The campground is open April 1st through October 31st each year.

 

NPS/Scott Hansen

21 Campsites on Medano Pass Primitive Road
High Clearance 4WD vehicle REQUIRED for access!

When the Medano Pass Primitive Road is open, and if you have a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle, camping may be available in one of 21 sites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

 

NPS/Ian Knoerl

Backpacking

Great Sand Dunes National Park
Backpacking Permits are requried and can be reserved through Recreation.gov for trips to the Dunes backcountry and trail camps within Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
Backpacking in the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve does not require a permit. These location include upper Sand Creek, Music Pass, Medano Lake, and other areas in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Many trailheads in the preserve require a high clearance, four wheel drive vehicle for access.

 

Zapata Falls Campground, Bureau of Land Management

Area Campgrounds

Check here for alternate camping options in the area outside of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve