Although there is only one in-park campground, there are quite a few sites outside the park within 40 miles (64 km) of the visitor center, so you definitely have options on where to lay your head beneath the stars. Just remember to make your reservations far in advance of your trip – months in advance, actually.
Piñon Flats Campground, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve / NPS - Patrick Myers
The only campground within the park, Piñon Flats, offers 88 campsites, many of which have views of the dunes and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Four campsites are wheelchair accessible. Open April 1 – October 30, sites go for $20 per night and must be reserved through recreation.gov either online or by calling 877-444-6777. Individual sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. Each site accommodates a total of 8 people, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles (including towed vehicles/trailers). Most sites accommodate a maximum length of 25 feet (7.6 m) for RV/Trailer + vehicles, but some sites will accommodate a maximum length of 35 feet (10.7 m). There are no hook-ups, but restrooms with sinks, flush toilets, dishwashing sink, and potable water spigots are available. Hammocks are prohibited due to possible damage to the trees. Scooters, skateboards, and inline skates are not permitted in the campground. Drones are not permitted anywhere within park boundaries and fireworks are prohibited.
There are three group sites, two of which (group sites A and B) will accommodate 20-40 people and 10 vehicles at $80 per night. Group site C accommodates 15-30 people and 7 vehicles at $65 per night. Group site C also provides better accessibility for wheelchair users. All group sites are tent-only; RVs, pop-ups, and trailers are not permitted. Reservations are through recreation.gov and must be made at least 4 days in advance.
For more detailed information about this campground, including a site map, click here.
If you are unable to snag a site in the park, there are quite a few area campgrounds within 40 miles (64 km) of the park’s visitor center.
If you feel like heading out into the backcountry to really get away from it all, there are seven designated sites along the Sand Ramp Trail, and 20 non-designated sites in the Dunes Backcountry. Online backpacking permits for Great Sand Dunes National Park are only available through the Recreation.gov online permit system for a non-refundable fee of $6.00. Free, in-person permits are no longer available.
Click here to access more detailed backcountry information, including available campsites, site descriptions, and a campsite map.
Great Sand Dunes even offers high-clearance 4WD camping along the Medano Pass Primitive Road with 21 numbered campsites free of charge and on a first-come, first-served basis.
