The view as you enter the road into Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Visitor center at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
One of the many short sand paths leading to Medano Creek and the dune field.
You will likely need to remove your footwear to avoid soaking through while crossing the Medano Creek surge flow.
The surge flows from the mountains down Medano Creek in small visible waves.
Visitors take many different routes up to High Dune.
View of the sand dunes and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains separated by Medano Creek.
An untouched dune in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
The High Dune summit view looking west toward Star Dune with a lone hiker in the distance.
The best part of hiking through Great Sand Dunes is finding "fresh dunes."
A look out at the dune field within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
The varying lines and shapes you will see within the dune field are endless.
Two hikers in the distance overshadowed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
A fellow hiker begins to set up camp while other hikers can be seen at the High Dune summit in the distance.
One of the main draws of these sand dunes is their unique location neighboring the often snowcapped Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The best part about the dunes is being able to go literally wherever you'd like.
Stay north of High Dune and avoid vegetation and you can camp absolutely anywhere you like.
It's difficult to find an uninspiring place to camp within the dune field at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
The early morning light provides the best illumination for your hike out of the dune field.
The varying lines and shapes that you will find within the dunes is endless.
Sick of competing for campsites? You'll never have to fight for a spot in the sand dunes.
Enjoying the sun setting over the sand dunes.
Enjoying one of the darkest skies in the country.
Headlamp illuminated tent at night in the middle of Great Sand Dunes.
The Great Sand Dunes are great at putting everything in perspective.
Unknown wildlife track found during a morning hike out of the dune field.
The varying lines and shapes in the sand dunes are endless.