Great Sand Dunes Colorado: What to Do While You're There

If you are looking for something different to do this summer, check out the Great Sand Dunes Colorado National Park and Preserve located in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado. These massive sand dunes are the tallest in North America and sit perfectly in front of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with the Medano Creek flowing across the front of the dunes and eventually disappearing into the sand. It is an unusual breath-taking sight, like someone painted a giant life-size portrait that's everchanging.

When you get to the Great Sand Dunes Colorado, you will have to park in the parking area near the Visitor's Center and walk to the Medano creek and sand dunes. We visited the Great Sand Dunes Colorado in the early summer and started our adventure by hiking up the dunes. We hiked as far as we could go, but could not make it to the top. There were people hiking on the top peak of the dunes and I could barely make them out. They looked like little ants from my visual point. If you are into hiking, you need to allow several hours just for hiking. The sand dunes are great fun for families. Everyone tries to slide down the great sand dunes, some sit on their bottoms and slide, some use sleds, sandboards or other home-made devices. Be sure to pack a lunch. If you have children, bring your bathing suits because they will be entertained for hours playing in the Medano creek. When the creek is high, you can even raft the shallow waters. There are bathrooms and changing rooms available near the creek. There is also horseback riding, backpacking and bird watching in the national park.

When you get through at the sand dunes, if you feel up to it, you must go to another spectacular nearby attraction, Zapata Falls. Be ready for more hiking because the falls are reached by hiking .5 fairly steep miles. When you reach the creek, you have to wade in the stream, climb a ladder and walk through a narrow gorge to view the 30 ft. high waterfalls. We were there in early summer and the stream that we waded through was ice cold. The creek is at it's lowest in the late summer and this would probably be a better time of the year to try this. This area also has mountain bike trails. There are several other attractions in the San Luis Valley. One of the attractions we visited, and I have to tell you, at first we were a little unsure of it, was the Colorado Gator Farm. But we did go and we had a great time. They had a variety of turtles, snakes and lizards. But what we really enjoyed was watching the alligator wrestling classes. People actually paid money to wrestle with small to very large alligators, taking guidance from the owner who was a Crocodile Dundee looking-fella. These alligators are kept in geothermal ponds that keep the water a comfortable temperature all year round. We have photos of my daughter sitting on a very very large alligator; this will definitely give you something to talk about when you get home. Be sure to take part of the day and go visit the Colorado Gator Farm while you are there. If you have time before you leave, you must take a day and ride the train with the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad or Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. You won't regret it!

For those of you who like to rough it, there is the Great Sand Dunes Pinon Flat Campground located in the Great Sand Dunes National Monument with 88 campsites that run $10 per night. The Great Sand Dunes Lodge is located in the heart of the San Luis Valley; they have standard and deluxe rooms ranging from $100-$135 during the summer. We did not stay at the lodge or campground but chose to stay in nearby Alamosa, the largest town in the valley, at the Inn of the Rio Grande Hotel. We choice the Inn of the Rio Grande Hotel because of all the fun features they had for families. The summer rates are $94.95 per night. It was clean, budget friendly, pet friendly and great for families with children. They have an indoor waterpark, recreation area with ping pong and video games, an indoor pool in a separate area from the waterpark, Jacuzzi and fitness room. It had a great family feel to it and the staff was very friendly. I only have one complaint with this hotel; it did not have an elevator to reach the upper floors. But we still enjoyed staying there and would stay there again. Most of the Alamosa restaurants that we ate at were good. The Hideaway Steakhouse was really good but a little on the expensive side.

There are many beautiful areas in Colorado to visit, but the Great Sand Dunes Colorado was different and very unique. Go visit the Dunes this summer!