Medano Creek

Medano Creek at 2023 peak flow on May 26. After a dry winter, late May snow on the mountains boosted snowpack to average levels, resulting in an average peak flow.

NPS/Patrick Myers

 

Duration:

1 minute, 16 seconds

This short National Park Service video reveals the creek's attraction, and explains mysterious 'surge flow'! Length: 70 seconds 2017

Also available to watch on YouTube:

 

As of June 3, Medano Creek has a wide but somewhat shallow flow at the Dunes Parking Area. There are small surge flow waves in the deepest channels of the creek.

NPS

Current and Forecast Conditions

as of June 3, 2023

Refresh this page for the latest information, updated about twice per week.

Current Conditions

• Medano Creek peaked on May 26 and is slowly declining (see graph linked below). It is flowing in braided streams with a total width of about 60-90 feet (18-27 m) wide, and 1-5 inches (2-12 cm) deep in the deepest channel.

• Throughout the season, flow is normally highest at dawn, and lowest at dusk. Rain may temporarily boost flow.

• After a dry early spring, repeated snow on the mountains in late May boosted snowpack close to average levels. Medano Creek’s volume is average this year, but the creek is wider and shallower than average.
• Water volume is average this year, but the creek is wider and shallower than average.
• Check park weather forecasts for environmental conditions at the creek.

2023 Month-by-Month Forecast Flow

After a dry early spring, snow on the mountains in late May boosted snowpack close to average levels. Medano Creek’s duration should be average this year, but the creek is wider and shallower than average.

June 2023 Forecast

The creek peaked on May 26 and will continue to decline throughout June. June brings more consistently warm temperatures for water play and generally pleasant conditions the first week of June. Late May and early June are the best opportunity to experience ‘surge flow’, where waves flow down across the sand. The creek is wider and shallower than average this year, so floating may not be possible.

Because of the creek's popularity, early June weekends are extremely crowded, with long lines of traffic, overflowing parking lots, a crowded beach, and full campgrounds. If possible, plan your visit on a weekday this time of year.

When the creek becomes much lower around the second week of June, mosquitoes emerge. Move away from vegetation, to the far side of the creek to avoid the worst of the mosquitoes. They don't like open sand, but prefer to be near shady bushes and trees. By late June, the water level will be fairly low, only 1-2 inches (1-5 cm) deep.

July 2023 Forecast

In July, unless there are significant ongoing rains, the creek will begin retreating back toward the mountains and will dry up at the main visitor area near the Dunes Parking Lot. It may continue to gently flow along the eastern edge of the dunefield, near Castle Creek Picnic Area. Castle Creek is accessible by high clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road. Visitors without 4WD may also access the creek in late summer by hiking up the creekbed from the Dunes Parking Lot, or approximately 0.7 miles (1km) from the Point of No Return parking area. Mosquitoes are typically still present as long as there is low, warm water around the dunes in the first half of July, but begin to disappear as the water retreats farther back toward the mountains. July is the warmest month at the park, with average highs in the low 80s F.

August and September 2023 Forecast

In late summer and fall, the creek is still completely gone from the main visitor area near the Dunes Parking Lot. If dry conditions continue, it might not even flow near Castle Creek Picnic Area. Castle Creek is accessible by high clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road. Visitors without 4WD may also access the creek late summer by hiking approximately 2 miles (3.5 km) up the creekbed from the Dunes Parking Lot, or 0.7 miles (1km) from the Point of No Return parking area. Mosquitoes are gone in late summer and fall.

 

Click on the chart image for up-to-the-minute flow in Medano Creek.

NRCS

Check Up-To-The-Minute Flow

See the current flow and trend of Medano Creek as a graph.
(Available spring through fall). The creek's flow on this graph is measured where it emerges from the forest and first enters the dunefield, not where it spreads out across the sand 5 miles downstream. This measurement gives an indication of the current flow relative to average peak flow. Peak flow in an average year is 40 cubic feet per second (cfs), typically occurring in late May or early June. When flow drops below 4 cfs, Medano Creek does not usually reach the Dunes Parking Area.

 

Family Splashing in Waves

NPS/Patrick Myers

Weather and Conditions to Expect

Weather forecasts and information for Great Sand Dunes are available on the park's weather page. Also learn what Conditions to Expect Each Month at the park.

 

Medano Creek can be a refreshing experience!

NPS/Patrick Myers

How do you pronounce 'Medano'?

Médano is a Spanish word that means "sand dune". It is pronounced "MED-ah-no". In the original Spanish there is an accent on the é.

 

Two skimboarders try their sport on Medano Creek.

Photo courtesy Nathan Salley. Used by permission.

Medano Creek Activities

Depending on water level, visitors may do any non-motorized and non-mechanized activities in the creek, including splashing, surfing, wading, skimboarding, floating (works only in small raft or tube with a child at peak runoff), sand castle building, and sand sculpting.

To protect this riparian habitat, please do not disturb living plants or animals, and keep water resources clean.