35mm Digital SLR Gallery: Colorado: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve contains the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising about 750 feet from the floor of the San Luis Valley on the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Range, covering about 19,000 acres. They are approximately  12,000 years old. The dunes were formed from sand and soil deposits of the Rio Grande and its tributaries, flowing through the San Luis Valley. Over the ages, westerly winds picked up sand particles from the river flood plain. As the wind lost power before crossing the Sangre de Cristo Range, the sand was deposited on the east edge of the valley. This process continues, and the dunes are slowly growing. The wind changes the shape of the dunes on a daily basis.


Sand Snakes, Alamosa Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park photo
Sand Snakes
Through the Sands of Time, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Alamosa Colorado, landscapes, nature photo
Through the Sands of Time
Ripples in the Sand, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Alamosa Colorado photo
Ripples in the Sand


Directions: From I-25, take exit 50 and go west on highway 160 about 52 miles to Colorado's 150. Turn right on Colorado 150 and go about 15 miles to visiter center. Best time to Photograph: Sunrise or Sunset.