Summer evening programs at Great Sand Dunes' open-air amphitheater include images and videos on the large screen.
NPS/Graham Oden
Free Ranger Programs
Your visit can be more enjoyable when you better understand the environment around you. Ranger programs are offered from mid-May through October as staffing permits, and occasionally during other times of the year. Schedules are generally posted each Friday for the following week's programs. You may request a special program for a larger group by calling the Visitor Center at 719-378-6395, or send an email.
TUESDAY, MAY 14TH
11:00 AM PATIO TALK –“Call of the Coyotes”
Join Volunteer Park Ranger, Ed Adams, to touch a coyote pelt. The coyote is the most social of the canines. Hear the famous group howl, and learn the meanings. Visitor Center Theater, 20 minutes.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15TH
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM ACTIVITY - Solar Telescope Viewing
Stop by the visitor center to safely view sunspots and solar flares! Weather permitting
THURSDAY, MAY 16TH
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM ACTIVITY - Solar Telescope Viewing
Stop by the visitor center back to safely view sunspots and solar flares! Weather permitting
FRIDAY, MAY 17TH
8:30 PM EVENING PROGRAM - “Exploring Mars Today”
Join Volunteer Astronomer, Bob Bohley, on a journey to the planet Mars. Explore this fascinating planet, what we know and what we don’t know. Amphitheater, 30 minutes. Telescope viewing available after the program. Weather permitting
SATURDAY, MAY 18TH
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ACTIVITY - Solar Telescope Viewing
Stop by the visitor center back to safely view sunspots and solar flares! Weather permitting
8:30 PM EVENING PROGRAM - “Disappearing Dark”
Join Volunteer Astronomer, Bob Bohley, and learn about how you can save the disappearing dark and bring back the starlight. Amphitheater, 30 minutes. Telescope viewing available after the program. Weather permitting
SUNDAY, MAY 19TH
11:00 AM PATIO TALK –“Call of the Coyotes”
Join Volunteer Ed Adams to touch a coyote pelt. The coyote is the most social of the canines. Hear the famous group howl, and learn the meanings. Visitor Center Theater, 20 minutes.
MONDAY, MAY 20TH
11:00 AM PATIO TALK –“Call of the Coyotes”
Join Volunteer Ed Adams to touch a coyote pelt. The coyote is the most social of the canines. Hear the famous group howl, and learn the meanings. Visitor Center Theater, 20 minutes.
TUESDAY, MAY 21ST
11:00 AM PATIO TALK –“Call of the Coyotes”
Join Volunteer Ed Adams to touch a coyote pelt. The coyote is the most social of the canines. Hear the famous group howl, and learn the meanings. Visitor Center Theater, 20 minutes.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22ND
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM ACTIVITY - Solar Telescope Viewing
Stop by the visitor center to safely view sunspots and solar flares! Weather permitting
THURSDAY, MAY 23RD
8:30 PM EVENING PROGRAM - “Disappearing Dark”
Join Volunteer Astronomer, Bob Bohley, and learn about how you can save the disappearing dark and bring back the starlight. Amphitheater, 30 minutes. Telescope viewing available after the program. Weather permitting
FRIDAY, MAY 24TH
3:00 PM AFTERNOON PROGRAM - “Stories of the Dunes”
Explore ways the dunes have inspired artists throughout time, and create your own inspired art. Join Park Ranger Catherine Ullery in reflecting on the ways this park can become meaningful to you. Visitor Center Theater, 30 minutes.
8:30 PM EVENING PROGRAM - “Exploring Mars Today”
Join Volunteer Astronomer, Bob Bohley, on a journey to the planet Mars. Explore this fascinating planet, what we know and what we don’t know. Amphitheater, 30 minutes. Telescope viewing available after the program. Weather permitting
SATURDAY, MAY 25TH
11:00 AM PATIO TALK - “Dune Plants and How They Survive”
Discover some of the amazing adaptations of our plants and the important lessons we can learn from them. Visitor Center Patio, 20 minutes.
3:00 PM AFTERNOON PROGRAM - “Mammoth Changes”
Learn about the dunes through time and the people who have walked the sands. Visitor Center Theater, 30 minutes.
8:30 PM EVENING PROGRAM= “Disappearing Dark”
Join Volunteer Astronomer Bob Bohley and learn about how you can save the disappearing dark and bring back the starlight. Amphitheater, 30 minutes. Telescope viewing available after the program. Weather permitting.
