The Lodge Motel

05/21/2025

Thanks to the work of our facilities and patrol rangers, Great Sand Dunes was able to open the Medano Primitive Road on May 19th, 2025, all the way up to the Medano Pass. The road is currently open on Forest Road 559 so that four-wheel drive vehicles can cross over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains into the Wet Mountain Valley and San Isabel National Forest from Great Sand Dunes.

All vehicles need to be 4WD High Clearance with a 4L setting on the transfer case to cross safely. Side-by-sides, UTVs, and ATVs are prohibited west of Medano Pass within all areas of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

See Go.nps.gov/Medano_Road for current conditions and trip planning information.

05/21/2025

Medano Creek Update!

Ahead of the extremely busy Memorial Day weekend, Medano Creek continues to flow gently past the dunes parking area. A mild increase in flow rate after early May snowstorms melted has run its course and the creek has seen reduced rates in recent days. With no significant precipitation or storms expected ahead of the holiday weekend, the creek flow is expected to continue to remain low.

Visitors to the main dune area should expect water depth of less than 1in (2.5cms) with little to no surge flow seen at this time. The creek will remain within easy reach of the parking lot through Memorial Day, albeit at a reduced rate for visitors from years past! The water is unfortunately not deep enough this year for popular activities like floating on surge flow waves.

More details on current conditions of Medano Creek can be found here:
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/medano-creek.htm

Image Description: A shallow creek courses across a flat sandy area with people, trees, and mountains in the background. A mostly cloudy sky occasionally gives way to bright blue patches.

NPS Photo/Luke Anders

05/09/2025

Medano Creek is now flowing past the dunes parking lot and trailhead area for the first time in 2025. At this time the water depth is 1 inch (2.5 cm or less). The recent heavy snow and rain may have generated some excitement in our park staff and recent visitors, but our park geologist is reminding us that the overall drought in the 2025 water year will very likely result in a shorter season and smaller creek flow in the popular dunes parking and trailhead area of the park.

Details on the current conditions of Medano Creek and predictions for 2025 can be found at go.nps.gov/Medano_Creek

Photo Courtesy of Karen Lundquist

03/05/2025

– Sandhill cranes began arriving in the San Luis Valley in early February, and now there are over 20,000 cranes here!

These are primarily greater sandhill cranes, a larger subspecies than the lesser sandhill cranes that migrate through the Midwest. Cranes mate for life, and each spring renew their bond through a courtship ritual that includes dancing, leaping, calling and throwing tufts of grass in the air. While there are cranes throughout the valley, Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is the hotspot in March to view them. San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Great Sand Dunes staff will again have a booth this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the annual Monte Vista Crane Festival, along with other state and federal land management agencies. Stop by and say hi!

Learn more about when and how to view cranes in the San Luis Valley:
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/sandhill-crane-migration.htm

Photo: NPS/Patrick Myers

Image description: A sandhill crane does a courtship display for its mate by leaping and calling as it throws a tuft of grass in the air. Other cranes feed in the field around them.

02/28/2025

– Planning a March trip to Great Sand Dunes? Here are some tips for a successful visit!

• Many expect a warm desert environment at Great Sand Dunes in spring, but these dunes reach over 8,700 feet (2,590m) in the Rocky Mountains. March and April are typically the two snowiest months of the year. While there are some calm, sunny spring mornings and evenings, spring afternoons are often blustery. Blizzards with heavy snowfall may occur. Follow weather, road, and creek conditions on the park website:
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

• If there’s snow on the dunes, you can bring your own snow sled, snowboard, or skis. If sand is dry, you’ll need to rent a specially designed sand sled or sandboard for successful sliding. Check sand sled and board rental availability before you drive to the park: some rental locations are over 35 miles away from the dunes.
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/sandboardingsandsledding.htm

• Plan your dunes time in morning hours which tend to be calmer in spring. If possible, take time to also explore beyond the dunes. Though higher forest and alpine trails are still under deep snow, foothills trails such as Montville Nature Trail are usually accessible in spring.
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

• Piñon Flats Campground doesn’t open until April 1, and gas and groceries might not be available near the park in early spring. Check the park’s Eating and Sleeping pages for camping, lodging, and food options:
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/eatingsleeping.htm

• The visitor center is open daily 9 am - 4:30 pm. Stop by or call 719-378-6395 for a helpful ranger to answer your questions. The Western National Parks Association store is open during the same hours for collectibles, shirts, books and more.

Have a safe, fun, early spring visit!

Photo: NPS/Patrick Myers

Image description: Star Dune is a huge pyramid-shaped dune, snow-covered and illuminated in the pink light of dawn.

02/26/2025

- Sandhill cranes fly at sunset in front of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains this week. The mountain at center is Milwaukee Peak, part of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.

Get suggested crane viewing locations and more information on our website:
https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/sandhill-crane-migration.htm

and visit the Great Sand Dunes booth at the Monte Vista Crane Festival March 7-9!

Photo: NPS/Patrick Myers

Image description: A group of sandhill cranes flies in front of rugged, snowy mountains in warm sunset light.

02/07/2025

Snowfall doesn't just cover the dunes - it transforms them into an ethereal world of light and color. In winter, the park is quieter and the pace is slower, allowing more space for wonder.

Photo: NPS/Patrick Myers 2025

Image description: Morning light illuminates a ridge of snowy, undulating dunes, while other ridges remain in blue shadows. Conifer and cottonwood trees are at the base of the huge dunes.

02/02/2025

It's Groundhog Day, but what's awake at Great Sand Dunes to even see a shadow? While the park is not home to groundhogs, a closely related cousin, the yellow-bellied marmot, calls the alpine areas of the park home.

These stout creatures don't have to worry about a rude winter awakening to forecast the weather here in the park, however. After eating copious amounts of food during the summer, marmots spend the winter hibernating deep beneath the snow in preparation for next season and away from any pestering humans.

During the summer, hikers visiting Medano Lake or Sand Creek Lakes can catch a glimpse of the park's marmots sunning on rocks or foraging amongst the alpine terrain.

In lieu of shadow weather detection technology, park rangers advise that March and April are usually Great Sand Dunes' snowiest months — six more weeks of winter!

NPS photo

Image Description: A large tan and gold rodent, the marmot, sits on a grey rock with a view down into an alpine valley in the background.

01/24/2025

The temperature on the valley floor this morning was -14 F, with a slightly warmer temperature of -8 at the visitor center. In most years, the valley floor will drop into the -20s F at some point during the winter, and occasionally into the -30s F. The average low in January on the valley floor is -2 F. The record low temperature for the valley is -50 F in 1948.

Photo: NPS/Patrick Myers

Image description: Fresh snow blankets rounded forms of the dunes and 13,297’ (4,053 m) Mt. Herard at sunrise. Snowy grasslands and piñon trees are in the foreground.

01/18/2025

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from The Lodge Motel!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a holiday season full of peace, joy and more beautiful moments in nature.

Photo by Grand Teton National Park

12/21/2024

Winter solstice has significance for many cultures, especially Native American communities. For thousands of years, it has been a time of rest, renewal, sharing stories and traditions, and reflecting on the cycles of the seasons and generations.

It also represents distinctive contrasts. A warm fire or gathering overcomes the cold of a winter night. At this turning point, light begins to triumph over darkness, a symbolic victory that reminds us that even in our darkest times, there is hope. Warmer, longer days are ahead.

In the midst of the busy holiday season, winter solstice at Great Sand Dunes is an opportunity to be still and know. Surrounded by this quiet wilderness, we can begin to listen to what these dunes and mountains are telling us, deepening our appreciation for how they have been sculpted through dramatic changes of climate and geological processes. In the stillness we can also hear natural sounds that may be missed in other seasons – the calls of owls, coyotes, elk, and other creatures.

From the staff of Great Sand Dunes, wishing you a renewing solstice and joyous holiday season!

Photo: NPS/Patrick Myers

Image description: A low-angle winter sun shines a warm glow of light over dunes with patches of snow. Two people stand on a farther dune ridge, taking in the view.