Photographs at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Wildlife!
Take a trip with Bodhi and me to the tallest sand dunes in North America: Great Sand Dunes National Park. It’s a beautiful and unusual National Park in south-central Colorado that offers great photography opportunities. It’s also a less famous park which means you don’t need reservations to get in. One reasons I was first interested in visiting this park is because it’s dog friendly and I wanted to take a road trip with Bodhi. Most US National Parks don’t allow dogs because they disturb the wildlife and environment but GRSA does. If hiking with a dog, be sure to check which areas dogs are allowed in first.
Medano Creek and the sand dunes in the afternoon
At the tallest point the dunes are 750 feet high and they cover an area of 30 square miles. The park also has other areas to explore offering a wide variety of environments in one place.
From the park website:
“The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless night to experience countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park!”
Getting there is easy and it’s an impressive sight when after driving through the mountains you come upon a completely different landscape. From a distance it doesn’t look like much but as you get closer you begin to realize how massive the dunes are. Once you get there, you’ll find many places from where you can see and photograph the dunes and some of the additional landscapes that surround them. Even from the back of the visitor center you can get a good photo.
A view showing the variety of landscapes at the park
Bodhi and I have been to this amazing park twice: once in October and once in May. In October, I took 35mm film photographs in the afternoon light. But if you can make it, I recommend visiting in May because that’s when you can experience Medano Creek. The creek forms during the time of year when snow melts on the mountains and flows down towards the sand. During that time it becomes a popular spot for swimming, fishing, picnicking, and of course, photography. As time passes the water eventually dries up until the following year when snow melts again. In May the temperatures are milder and there are a lot less people than in the summer.
The afternoon is the best time for photographing the dunes because as the sun sets it creates more intense shadows. If you’re standing facing the dunes the sun will set on your left. Be aware, though, that the wind also picks up in the afternoon and it can feel like being sandblasted when you’re standing there. Take steps to protect your gear if you plan on being there any length of time. During the afternoon the water flows more intensely, too, which made Bodhi nervous (he’s usually a confident dog). Visit this link to learn about what the weather is like at different times of the year.
A 35mm film photo of the dunes on a fall afternoon
Personally I found visiting in the morning more enjoyable. The park is quieter, the wind is calm and the water flows more gently, and you can enjoy a quiet moment and get lovely photographs as the waves flow by. It was awe inspiring to stand ankle-deep in ice cold water and look up towards this massive sand mountain. Bodhi liked the morning better, too. He got nice and muddy (his favorite) and collected lots of sand for our trip home.
The dunes and Medano Creek in the morning
You can also walk to the top of the dunes. This is not easy given the loose sand and the elevation. The park is at 7870’ in elevation so Bodhi and I did not attempt to climb up. Lots of people do it, though, and the views make for beautiful photographs. Once you’re at the top, you might as well have fun coming down! Sandboarding and sledding are very popular activities and you can rent equipment near the park entrance.
The park has several trails to explore depending on your fitness and experience level. We walked the Montville Nature Trail which is a short and easy trail with lots of trees. The shade is a welcome oasis after the heat of the sand.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is definitely one of my favorite Colorado parks and I recommend checking it out for yourself if you can. Some final tips:
Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. Footwear is a challenge because the sand is so fine and loose. It will get in your shoes no matter what shoes you have making it hard to walk. Socks and sand are an unpleasant combination! If the temperature is high the sand gets VERY hot. Be aware of the altitude—if you’re not used to it, you may be affected by it. Be prepared for the wind. Afternoons are the windiest time of day. And, of course, take pictures! It’s such a unique place you’ll want to preserve the memories of having visited.