National parks are federally protected places for a reason — they’re beyond incredible. Colorado preserves some majorly captivating sites while offering an exciting line-up of recreational activities. Many guests are content with low-key offerings such as hiking, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and scenic driving.
Some of us crave more. Thrill-seekers, read on. A single-day automobile pass into any of Colorado’s four national parks costs $25, or you can purchase an America the Beautiful pass ($80 annually) for hassle-free entry into all national parks for a year.
Ready for a national park experience like none other? North of Alamosa, everyone in your group can enjoy ogling a 30-square-mile dune field housing North America’s tallest mounds of sand: Star Dune (750’) and High Dune (699’). Start your adventure at the park’s newly renovated visitor center, open daily from 9 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. From here, climb the first ridge to gain views of the site’s sandy expanse.
Hiking is a great option inside this park. Measuring in at 0.5-mile roundtrip, Montville Nature Trail is an easy route with views of Mt.
Herard (13,345′) and the dunes. Splashing around in Medano Creek is also fun; late May and June are the best times to ride the surge waves, water waves formed by snowmelt. Walking on the dunes is amazing, but adventurous visitors will want to try sandboarding.
Some people use modified skateboards, snowboards — even trash can lids. It’s better to use the proper.
