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Old 05-23-2018, 12:55 PM   #1
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Lots of Sand - Great Sand Dunes, Colorado

A destination on my 'bucket list' has been the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado. These are the highest dunes in North America.

I made it this season. I plan to go back soon and hike to the top, and maybe sled down.

The dunes are one of those trips you make for yourself or make for your children. Nature at work piling up all that sand. Plus a stream running through the sand (spring time only).

A lot of the water in the stream runs off to the side and disappears in the sand. It takes a strong spring snow-melt to make the stream flow strong enough to go tubing. I hope to catch it at high level (12"?) next spring.

The in-park camp ground: Back-ins plus pull-throughs; The pull-throughs are just a wide place on the road. All camping is boon docking. There are full service campgrounds outside the park, but I opted for in-park camping that made the dunes withing walking distance.

The attached photo is DW hiking to the dunes.
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Old 05-23-2018, 01:01 PM   #2
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Very cool. We camped at Warren Dunes state park in MI many years ago and it was awesome.
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Old 05-23-2018, 01:03 PM   #3
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When I go on vacation, I am NOT gonna go look at sand. lol

Tim

P.S. For clarification, I work in a sand mine.
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Old 05-23-2018, 01:15 PM   #4
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Quote:
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When I go on vacation, I am NOT gonna go look at sand. lol

Tim

P.S. For clarification, I work in a sand mine.
You going to pound sand? Hehehe
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Old 05-23-2018, 01:21 PM   #5
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We did a couple hour layover there on our way to CO last year. Our kids were 2, 4, 7 and 8. They had a blast- but, man, that was the hardest sand to get off those kids I've ever seen! The shower stations there were very inadequate and are in desperate need of an upgrade. Was really cool, though. We were there in mid July and there was still a decent flow of water, which we were told is rare that time of year.
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Old 05-23-2018, 01:32 PM   #6
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We plan to be there in 2 weeks time. The kids seem to have the best time playing in the shallow river. Hopefully, there will still be water in it.
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Old 05-23-2018, 02:10 PM   #7
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The seasonal river typically is at max flow about now (May) and dies in July sometime.

We visited last year on 20-July and the river was still flowing, though very shallow and warm. This year, the snowpacks are very low -- contrary to what people believe, Colorado is not in a perpetual blizzard state during the winter. So, I'd expect the river to run dry much sooner.

Despite what is claimed above, the campground (Pinyon Flats) is definitely not boondocking. This is a developed campground and each site has a fairly level pad, picnic tables, bear boxes, and fire pit ... and they are well groomed. Lack of electricity/water does not equal boondocking. Tent pads may also be present. Loop is asphalt.

Sites are small. We had to cram our Popup into the spot. There are 2 loops. One is reservable and the other is first come, first serve. I think the non-reservable loop has a bit larger sites. Be judicial when choosing your site if you have a trailer longer than 20'.

There are deer everywhere and aren't real concerned about people. Check the right side of the picture -- the one where the kid in black shirt, blue pants is looking to his right.

There are tons of other things to do in the area. Zapata falls is just down the road. You have to drive up a really rocky road, but it doesn't require 4WD. It's flat and wide, just the grade of rock they used is super big and chunky. Definitely go there, hike up, and then walk up the river to the falls -- no trail, so bring water shoes, because there are sections where you literally walk up the river.

To the west, there are communities. There was a great alligator/croc/reptile farm that supposedly is the home to the gator who at Chubs' (Carl Weathers) hand in Happy Gilmore.

I'm a huge fan of forests and I don't like camping without trees. With that said, I loved the trip to the Dunes and highly recommend it. And, as you can see, the campground is not totally barren. Not exactly a pine forest, but there are some trees.
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Old 05-23-2018, 02:25 PM   #8
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You going to pound sand? Hehehe
I get PAID to pound sand!

Tim
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Old 05-23-2018, 02:37 PM   #9
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If you need longer campsites and free electrical hookups near the Great Sand Dunes, try San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area. For more info on that campground and others along US 285 and US 160, see the "US 285" section of my blog HERE.
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Old 05-23-2018, 04:27 PM   #10
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Here's some pictures from our last trip Memorial Day weekend 2016 to wet your appetite.

Even our puppy had a good time.
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Old 05-23-2018, 04:35 PM   #11
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For those who like sand, another amazing wonder is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in western Michigan.

We camped near Traverse City and took the short drive over there. Not sure if camping is available in the park. Great views of Lake Michigan.
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Old 05-24-2018, 08:04 AM   #12
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There are 2 loops. One is reservable and the other is first come, first serve. I think the non-reservable loop has a bit larger sites.
Just a heads up (in case you try to go back to get one of the FCFS sites there!), they moved to both loops being reservable this year. Not sure if there are any FCFS sites still available, but in general, both loops are now reservable.
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Old 05-24-2018, 01:01 PM   #13
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Its funny how many people don't realize how much of Colorado is actually desert.
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Old 05-24-2018, 01:57 PM   #14
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Unfortunately, due to the low snowpack this year Medano creek is completely dry for a 2 miles above the sand dunes, and is only running at a measly 2cfs above that. We are cancelling our trip for next weekend , but hope to return another time when global warming is over

https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/medano-creek.htm
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Old 05-24-2018, 03:06 PM   #15
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Been there. Amazing dunes.
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Old 05-24-2018, 07:44 PM   #16
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Me too.

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Been there. Amazing dunes.
Indeed. Hiked there in 2015.

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Old 05-24-2018, 09:39 PM   #17
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Yep, global warming winds have blown all of the dunes away and the only thing left is a small bit amount of dust on my dashboard.

Bummer.
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Old 05-28-2018, 07:59 AM   #18
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Sand

There are a lot of dunes in Michigan.
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