Activities For Dogs In Great Sand Dunes National Park

Before you head out to the dunes, you'll first need to acquire a sand sled. You can either rent one or buy one from several nearby locations, including Kristi Mountain Sports, San Dunes Swimming Pool and Recreation and The Oasis Store, the latter being easiest as it's just outside the park. If you're just trying it out, we suggest renting, but if you've tried it yourself before, liked it and plan to continue, buying may be more cost-effective. You'll also want to make sure you have plenty of water and sunscreen as well as a collapsible bowl so you can share your water as well.

Once you've got your supplies, you'll need to pay your fees and head into the park. Fees are $20 each for passengers in non-commercial or non-oversized vehicles but an annual pass is only $40, making just two visits pay itself off. Once you get inside, you'll need to navigate to the southern dunes where dogs are allowed. Make sure to check the weather to ensure the sand won't get too hot while you're trying to sled or walk on it since your dog doesn't have the advantage of shoes to protect their paws. Find a nice open space away from other people, then find a small dune to start with. You may want to test it yourself first so you get a feel.

Once you get a feel for sledding, you can either have your dog join you (if they're small enough), or find a small enough hill to see if you can get them to sled themselves. Make sure they're not laying down head-first, as sand can easily spray up and into their faces. If they enjoy it, ramp it up and try a higher spot or steeper incline. Keep going until you've both had your fill of sandy sledding fun.

Before anything else, you should definitely do a bit of research. The park's website has a very detailed guide of when the best times to visit the park are, although you can still muscle through others if your options are limited. Late April is usually the earliest you can even call Medano a creek, as it is usually only a few inches deep, but does make for good skim boarding. Late May is generally one of the best times to go since the temperatures are moderate (although it can still snow at those altitudes), the water is generally near peak height (great for tubing and swimming) and the insect counts are low. However, the transition from late May to early June brings the most visitors, so it's best to stick to weekdays if you want to avoid traffic and crowded areas. In July, the creek will start to taper off with the rains and by August and September it may be already gone. Check the creek's flow/height and the daily temperatures to make sure your visit will be appropriately timed for your intended activities.

Once you've found an appropriate day and time to visit, gather supplies appropriate to your trip. Most visitors will need drinking water, sunscreen and sporting items such as tubes, or skim boards as well as dog-specific items such as dog bags, a leash and most importantly, a toy to throw around in the water.

Once you've got your supplies in order, you'll just need to pay your fees to get into the park (if you haven't already) and get to an appropriate spot to get in the water. Park rangers keep daily tabs on the water flow, so you can always ask for the best places to head and have them draw it out on a map. Once you've got a place to go and arrive, it's time to have fun! Splash about with your furry friend to your heart's content. Remember to drink lots of water (and share some too!) and stay fully equipped with sunscreen.

While there are quite a few nights out of the year you can go, there are certainly some that are better than others. Hardier adventurers will be able to take advantage year-round while others may be turned off by the cold or rainy weather, both of which can provide even more options in terms of views of the environment. Choose a night that will be comfortable and features something you want to see, if there's anything specific. The fuller the moon and the less the clouds, the more you'll see the stars and the glow of the sands beneath your feet, but you can also plan to go during the rain to see more frogs or certain times of year to see the elk.

While you may not need much out of the ordinary for this trip, you'll definitely want the basics of water and dog-specifics like bags and a leash, along with temperature appropriate clothing, and that includes your dog if you happen to go when it's particularly chilly. Otherwise, it's also best to procure a red light over a standard flashlight. Not only will bright white lights potentially ruin others' enjoyment of the nighttime dunes, but it can blind both you and other wildlife, compromising safety and enjoyment for both parties.

Once you've got your night picked and supplies ready, just pay your fees, ask a ranger the best places to go and head out from there. There are even night time programs during the summer to help you experience the wildlife and sky to the fullest extent, though some may be restrictive to your furry friend, so check ahead before making any plans. Other than all else, enjoy! There are few places in the country that offer this kind of opportunity, so make sure you take full advantage.