Spring has arrived in Alamosa and we know you and your family are excited to be out of hibernation and ready for adventure! With Visit Alamosa's We Love Our National Park Celebration in full swing, we encourage you to get ready for a day that will be hard to forget! Grab your backpack and sandals and gear up to head over to The Great Sand Dunes National Park. Team Visit Alamosa has prepared an itenerary for you to follow on your journey across the dunes!
Before you head out......
Before you start start your day, be sure to gather all you will need to have a safe and fun filled day at the park. No matter the time of year, it is important to wear sunscreen and protective eye wear at the dunes! Visors, hats, and caps are also a good item to bring along. Beach towles or blankets, camping chairs, and umbrellas are great tools for you to enjoy the sands and waters of Medano Creek! If you plan to hike the dunes, be sure to being shoes that will protect your feet from the hot sands nearing the top. If horseback riding is calling your name, be sure to contact Zapata Ranch to check their availability. Stop into the grocery store or one of our awesome restaurants and gather some easy, sand friendly items for your cooler. Sandwiches, crackers, cookies, fruits, lunchables and water are all a good idea! Items in wrapping of some kind will be ideal to keep the sand out. Be sure to make a stop into Kristy Mountain Sports to rent sand boards and sand sleds! A kite, frisbee,or football are all fun activities to bring along! You can find more information what you may need for a day at the dunes here. Got everything you need? Lets head out!
1. Start yourt day by exploring the dunes. begins flowing mid to late April and will be in full swing by mid to late May. Spalsh in the creek to cool off or sunbathe on a beach towel on the warm sands! This is the perfect time to fly a kite or play catch with your favorite people! You have heard of boaring and sledding in December, but what about Spring and Summer sledding?! Grab those sand boards and sleds you rented and head up the dunes for an incredible sand adventure. Dont forget to bring your camera along to capture the memories and share them with team Visit Alamosa using #VisitAlamosa
2. Once you have enjoyed the sand and are ready for more fun, pack up and take a hike on one of The Great Sand Dunes 5 trail options. Spanning from easy to more difficult trails, there is sure to be one that is best suited for your group! Lay your eyes over the entire park while spotting wildlife and beautiful wild flowers along the way. Go from the beach to the forrest in just a short time! Enjoy a picknick on the hill side while listening to the birds sing and watching the butterflies play. Once you finish lunch, pack up and head back down to the trail and get ready for your horseback ride!
3. Zapata Ranch is just a short drive away from the dunes, and offers their guests a once-in-a-lifetime advenutre. Experience some of the most beautiful scenery the San Luis Valley has to offer on this horseback riding adventure. Up the beautiful trails, across the dunes, and through the beautiful ranch land itself riding among the bison, the experience will take your breath away. Zapata Ranch is a working dude ranch and if you are a guest there, you can experience all they have to offer. Not staying at Zapata Ranch? Take one of their famous bison-tours, where you can see the 2,000-head bison heard that call this place home. Take the afternoon to enjoy the scenery, wildlife, and clean Valley air and truly escape reality for a little while. Don't forget to save some energy, just because the sun is about to set, doesnt mean the fun is over yet!
4. After an amazing fun-filled day, be sure to spare time fuel up and hydrate so you are ready to enjoy some of the best stargazing around. Get you snacks and a blanket to lay down in the perfect spot on the dunes. Famously marked an International Dark Skies Park, the views will be hard to find elsewhere. Home to some of the most infamous dark sky photographs, we are excited for you to capture your own, along with memories that will last a lifetime. Be sure to keep the lighting to a minimum and keep the skies dark for other viewers in the park. Sit back, relax, and drink in the experience for as long as you'd like, the park is open 24 hours a day!
All of us here at Visit Alamosa hope you have an incrdible experience at the Great Sand Dunes. We encourage you to explore past the bounds of this itenerary and enjoy the endless possibilities awaiting you at this incredible National Park! Team Visit alamosa is here for you and hope you reach out with any questions you might have! Happy exploring!
