Views at Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve, Colorado
Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This g... More
Views at Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve, Colorado
Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This g... More
Views at Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve, Colorado
Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This g... More
Mule deer fawn and female at Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Pr...
Picryl description: Public domain image of a deer, elk, wild animal, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Views at Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve, Colorado
Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This g... More
Mule deer fawn and female at Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Pr...
Picryl description: Public domain image of a deer, elk, wild animal, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Views at Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve, Colorado
Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This g... More
Views at Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve, Colorado
Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This g... More
Views at Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve, Colorado
Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This g... More
Views at Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve, Colorado
Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This g... More
Pronghorn in Grasslands with Dunes and Crestones
Two pronghorn in grasslands Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
Great Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
The Great Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle is a beautifully patterned insect that is endemic to Great Sand Dunes. View them in the warmer months, but look quickly as they are fast!
Girl Running in Medano Creek - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
People of all ages enjoy splashing in the natural beach environment of Medano Creek during late spring snowmelt.
Children Playing in Medano Creek
Three children enjoy the waves in the natrual mountain beach environment of Medano Creek, a seasonal stream.
Children in Medano Creek - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Children splash during spring runoff in Medano Creek.
Bison, Dunes, and Cleveland Peak
A lone bison wanders west of the main dunefield. 13,414' Cleveland Peak in background, part of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.
View of Great Sand Dunes NPP from Space
Photo taken of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve from the International Space Station in 2008.
Hiker at Summit of Mount Herard
Advanced hikers may summit 13,297' Mt. Herard - part of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve - and be rewarded with an eagle's view of the dunefield below.
Snow on Dunefield and Sangre de Cristos
Winter is a quiet season to visit the park and enjoy sledding, XC skiing, snowshoeing, and wildlife such as elk and pronghorn.
Great Sand Dunes from Zapata Falls Recreation Area
Great Sand Dunes from Zapata Falls Recreation Area Public domain photograph of mountain range, national park, nature view, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Aspens and Red Osier Dogwoods, Mosca Creek
Yellow aspens and red osier dogwoods display fall color along the Montville Nature Trail in September.
Campsite, Dunes, Sangre de Cristo Mts
Campsite in Loop 1 of Pinyon Flats Camground with view
Lower Sand Creek Lake, July - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
Lower Sand Creek Lake is located in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, the dunes' alpine watershed. Snowfields usually linger here through mid-summer.
Cottonwoods, Autumn - National parks scenic trails
Gold cottonwood trees, Montville Nature Trail, with views of the dunes and 13,414' Cleveland Peak
Bison at Dollar Lake - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Bison drink at Dollar Lake, a permanent wetland west of the dunes.
Sand Sculpturing, National Parks gallery
Making sand sculptures or castles is a popluar activity along Medano Creek.
Gold Cottonwoods, Dunes, and Cleveland Peak
Cottonwood trees peak in gold color around early October each year.
Dunes and Crestone Peaks - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
750' Star Dune rises below the 14,000' Crestone Peaks Public domain photograph of mountain range, national park, nature view, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Little Spring and Sangre de Cristo Mts.
Little Spring is one of a number of permanent wetlands west of the main dunefield. These have been important oases to wildlife, and to historic and prehistoric peoples.
Elk Near Entrance Road - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
A bull elk and females in the grasslands southwest of the dunes, Great Sand Dunes National Park
Hiker in Dunefield - National Parks Gallery
Visitors may hike anywhere in the 30 square mile dunefield, part of the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness.
Elk and Pronghorn Together Near Entrance Road
Unusual photo of elk and pronghorn walking by each other. Taken in grasslands near park entrance road, 2009.
Hiker in Great Sand Dunes Wilderness
Hiker summits a dune and views the panorama of the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness and some of the peaks of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.
Girl Floating in Medano Creek - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Girl floating on Medano Creek on June 1, 2008. Medano Creek is a seasonal creek, flowing in late spring and early summer in years of average or above snowpack.
Boy With Sand on His Face - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Young boy interacts with the resources of Great Sand Dunes.
Sandhill Cranes in Sky - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Sandhill cranes fly overhead near County Lane 6N, the southern boundary of the national park. Cranes spend their spring and fall in the San Luis Valley.
Upper Sand Creek Basin from Marble Mountain
View from 13,266' Marble Mountain, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. In the background are Upper Sand Creek Lake and 13,522' Milwaukee Peak.
Tijeras Peak, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
Tijeras Peak crowns the watershed of Great Sand Dunes at 13,604'. This dramatic peak is not frequently climbed due to its remoteness.
Panorama from Star Dune - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
A majestic view in morning or late afternoon can be found from the tallest dune at Great Sand Dunes, 750' tall Star Dune. Star dunes have three or more ridges from their summit, giving them a star shape from an... More
Two Children in Medano Creek - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
Two children splash in the waves of Medano Creek, May 2009
Elk at Big Spring Creek - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Large herds of elk live year round in the grasslands west of the main dunefield. Spring-fed creeks such as Big Spring Creek flow through the grasses and shrubs.
Elk and Bison West of Dunefield
Elk and bison both graze in the vast grassland area west of the dunefield.
Elk Herd, Dunes, and Crestone Peaks
A bull elk with a herd of females in grasslands southwest of dunefield
Dunes Wheelchair, National Parks gallery
Two dunes wheelchairs are available; one is child sized and one is for adult use. Check one out at the Visitor Center.
South Twin Lake, Elk, and Birds
Twin Lakes are somewhat remote wetlands west of the main dunefield. In this photo a young bull elk is walking through the reeds on the other side of the lake, while a flock of shore birds takes off.
Bison, Dunes, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Over 1500 bison roam on the west side of the dunefield.
River of Aspen Trees, Morris Gulch
Golden aspens look like a river as they follow the Morris Gulch drainage down toward the dunes.
Horses, Music Pass - National Parks Gallery
Horseback riders pause before descending from Music Pass into the upper Sand Creek basin, part of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.
Fall Colors, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
Fall colors peak in the national preserve around late September to early October.
Women Sandboarding, National Parks gallery
Two women sandboard near the Castle Creek Picnic Area, a stop along the Medano Pass Primitive Road. Visit our sandboarding, sledding, and skiing page for details.
Sandhill Cranes, Dunes, and Mt. Herard
Sandhill cranes spend their spring and fall each year in the San Luis Valley, part of their migration route. Each year the valley hosts a "Crane Festival" in early March to welcome the birds and springtime.
Gold Aspens, Dunes, and Cleveland Peak
Gold Aspens, Dunes, and Cleveland Peak Public domain photograph of mountain range, national park, nature view, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Girl Sandboarding High Dune - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
A girl sandboards off the summit of High Dune. Rainfall the night before allowed for good sliding conditions.
Two Hikers on Dune Ridge - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Two Hikers on Dune Ridge Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Dunes and Cleveland Peak at Sunset
Dunes and Cleveland Peak at Sunset, 2012
Two Children in Medano Creek - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
Two children swim in Medano Creek in early June 2010. Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
The Great Sand Dunes and Crestone Peaks
The Great Sand Dunes and Crestone Peaks Public domain photograph of mountain range, national park, nature view, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Girl in Medano Creek Wave - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
A girl enjoys the wave action of Medano Creek at Great Sand Dunes National Park in May 2010.
Panorama of Children in Medano Creek Dunes and Mt Herard
Panorama of Children in Medano Creek with Dunes and Mount Herard
Rocky Mountain elk herd at sunrise, Great Sand Dunes National Park and...
Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni), along with other large animals like pronghorn, sandhill cranes and golden eagles, are often seen by visitors in the fall to spring. Elk prefer open grasslands and... More
National parks: GRSA_KidsJumpingOffDune - public domain image
Ten kids jumping off a dune at Great Sand Dunes
National parks: GRSA_KidsJumpingOffDuneCropped - public domain image
Ten kids jumping off a sand dune
Male mountain bluebird (Sialia currocoides), Great Sand Dunes National...
Picryl description: Public domain image of a bird, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Herd of elk running across the dunes, Great Sand Dunes National Park a...
Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni), along with other large animals like pronghorn, sandhill cranes and golden eagles, are often seen by visitors in the fall to spring. Elk prefer open grasslands and... More
Children Floating Medano Creek in Surge Flow
During its peak in late spring, Medano Creek exhibits globally rare "surge flow." Underwater sand ridges gather water, then release it in waves about every 20 seconds. All ages enjoy splashing, wading, floati... More
Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis), Great Sand Dunes National Park and ...
Sandhill cranes mate for life, choosing their partners based on dancing displays. They stretch their wings, pump their heads, bow and leap into the air during their mating display. Juvenile sandhill cranes usua... More
Sand dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela theatina), Great Sand Dunes Nationa...
Found only in Great Sand Dunes NP, these little beetles have very unique characteristics. While most insects are short-lived, the tiger beetle takes over two-and-a-half years (including two winter hibernations)... More
American avocets reflection in the wetland, Great Sand Dunes National ...
In spring, American avocets (Recurvirostra americana) have a striking, rusty-orange breeding plumage. This species lays light green speckled eggs right on the shore of the wetlands, with little to no nest mater... More
Snow-capped mountain as seen from the wetlands of San Luis Valley, Gre...
Medano Creek becomes wetlands and lakes west of the dunefield by mid-summer. Shorebirds, amphibians and elk are often seen near the wetlands.
Dune ripples, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, 2015.
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Gold Cottonwood Trees, Dunes and Cleveland Peak
Fall is golden at Great Sand Dunes! Aspens, cottonwoods, three-leaf sumac, and red osier dogwood change color while fresh snow dusts the mountains.
Moorise over Mount Herard, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve...
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
American avocets in the wetlands, Great Sand Dunes National Park and P...
Where does all of the water in Medano Creek go? It disappears beyond the end of the dunefield, then emerges again as wetlands west of the dunes. This water makes a surprising oasis of life in the desert and is ... More
Starflowers in front of Star Dune and Crestone Peaks, Great Sand Dunes...
Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus), Great Sand Dunes National Park...
Picryl description: Public domain image of a bird in flight, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
American avocet mother and fledglings, Great Sand Dunes National Park ...
These American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) fledglings are learning from their mother how to feed in the wetland shallows. Their father is also helping rear the young. His job is to chase away other birds a... More
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), Great Sand Dunes National Park and ...
This artiodactyl (even-toed) mammal is indigenous to North America. Commonly known simply as pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), it is the fastest land animal in North America, able to reach 60 miles per hour! D... More
Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis), Great Sand Dunes National Park and ...
Sandhill cranes mate for life, choosing their partners based on dancing displays. They stretch their wings, pump their heads, bow and leap into the air during their mating display. Juvenile sandhill cranes usua... More
Sunset over the mountains near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and ...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Credit line: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photograp... More
Footprints at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, one of Americ...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2002:038-13). Forms part of: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within... More
A portion of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, one of America...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2002:038-13). Forms part of: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within... More
Sunset over the mountains near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and ...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Credit line: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photograp... More
A surprising place to get wet, but also a handy place to then get dry ...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. One finds the obligatory dunes of sand here, in fact, the tallest in North America, rising in one spot 750 feet above the floor of the... More
View of the tallest dune in North America at Great Sand Dunes National...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2002:038-13). Forms part of: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within... More
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, one of America's newest nat...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2002:038-13). Forms part of: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within... More
Lower Sand Creek Lake Reflection, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
The alpine areas of Great Sand Dunes are dramatically different than the barren dunes below. Six peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation, alpine lakes, alpine tundra, wildflower meadows, and conifer forests are all... More
Distant view of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (the brownis...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2002:038-13). Forms part of: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within... More
The distant dunes of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve i...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Credit line: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photograp... More
A surprising place to get wet, but also a handy place to then get dry ...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. One finds the obligatory dunes of sand here, in fact, the tallest in North America, rising in one spot 750 feet above the floor of the... More
View from right on top of the tallest dune in North America at Great S...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2002:038-13). Forms part of: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within... More
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, one of America's newest nat...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2002:038-13). Forms part of: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within... More
A surprising place to get wet, but also a handy place to then get dry ...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. One finds the obligatory dunes of sand here, in fact, the tallest in North America, rising in one spot 750 feet above the floor of the... More
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, one of America's newest nat...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2002:038-13). Forms part of: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within... More
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, one of America's newest nat...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2002:038-13). Forms part of: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within... More
A surprising place to get wet, but also a handy place to then get dry ...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. One finds the obligatory dunes of sand here, in fact, the tallest in North America, rising in one spot 750 feet above the floor of the... More
Small farmhouse and the distant dunes of the Great Sand Dunes National...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Credit line: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photograp... More
Sand Creek Basin, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve
Great Sand Dunes National Preserve is the alpine watershed of the Great Sand Dunes. Six peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation, alpine lakes, tundra, and forests are all part of the preserve - a stark contrast to ... More
Girl Sandboarding Above Medano Creek
Rent specially designed sand sleds and sandboards to experience the dunes in a whole new way! Visit the park's sand sledding and sandboarding page for details: grsa/planyourvisit/sandboardingsandsledding.htm
View from right on top of the tallest dune in North America at Great S...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Gift; Carol M. Highsmith Photography, Inc.; 2017; (DLC/PP-2002:038-13). Forms part of: Gates Frontiers Fund Colorado Collection within... More
Great Sand Dunes - National Parks Gallery
Visitors at the dunes Public domain photograph of a desert, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description