Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, 4-paws
This is a park we visited with our first Great Dane, Selar and she absolutely loved it. Like a big beach without the ocean that she didn’t really care for anyway.
Pets are permitted in all the developed areas and the most commonly used areas which includes the dune field but only as far as the ridge of the High Dune. Even with that restriction it is a large amount of area! Be aware that the temperatures of the sand can get extremely hot in the summer. We did all of our exploring late in the day or just after dawn. Medano Creek provides some relief from the summertime heat. That is if there is water, it was dry when we were there.
We took Selar to the ranger talk in the evening at the campground. She barked at the appropriate audience participation times and we were thanked by one of the rangers who had recently lost his Dane for bringing her. Some of the ranger talks at parks do not allow dogs so be sure to check first and this may vary from ranger to ranger as well.
Medano Pass Primitive Road for those with 4WD vehicles
Medano Road is a nice drive to some picnic areas and the Dunes Overlook trail but it does become 4WD at the very comforting named parking lot, Point of No Return. Both the trail and road are dog friendly.
A useful map of where pets are allowed and not allowed can be found on the Park’s website.
