CAMPANAC.
National Park Service · Great Sand Dunes National Park · CO

Pinon Flats Campground

Panoramic view with sunflowers and green fields in the foreground, sand dunes lit by the sun with soaring mountains in the background.Photo · Alvin Swanson - Share The Experience Photo Contest
Not publishedStatus
ReservableAccess
90Sites
35 ftMax rig

The place

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is in the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado at an elevation of 8,175 feet. The dunes lie on the eastern edge of the valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Range. The dunefield is part of the nearly 150,000 total acres of the park and preserve that also protects alpine lakes, tundra, six peaks over 13,000 feet, ancient spruce and pine forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and wetlands. The park is part of a fragile, dynamic system that influences and sustains the tallest dunes in North America. Keep reading

President Herbert Hoover established the park unit as a national monument by presidential proclamation on March 17, 1932 through the Antiquities Act. The Works Progress Administration constructed the Superintendent’s Residence, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But otherwise, GRSA did not see a great deal of development during the New Deal. Park development did not occur in earnest until Mission 66. During this period, the NPS was able to construct a Visitor Center, the Pinon Flat Campground (88 sites), a picnic area, five comfort stations, six single family residences and a triplex, while also building or improving roads and trails through the park. The Visitor Center shows the motivation of the Western Office of Design and Construction to configure designs to corresponding regions using principles of “regional modernism.” Built in the Pueblo Revival style, the Visitor Center mimics adobe construction through modern materials and forms blended with traditional materials and forms seen during the CCC-era in Cecil Doty’s work. Following Mission 66, Congress designated nearly 91% of the monument as wilderness in 1976, which certainly limited the park’s ability to further develop visitor and administrative facilities. GRSA became a national park and preserve in 2000, which also included a transfer of land from the Rio Grande National Forest. The dunes have long stood as a landmark for travelers from ancient North Americans to Southern Ute, Jicarilla Apaches, Navajos, early explorers, gold miners, homesteaders, ranchers, farmers and migrant field workers, to you - today's park visitor. Recreation Great Sand Dunes' wide range of natural features provides endless outdoor recreational activities. The park is perfect for kids, who love exploring the dunefield on foot or by sled. Medano Creek, at the base of the dunes, is a popular place in the summertime. Kids and adults alike love to splash in the cool water. Many kid-friendly, ranger-led activities and a junior ranger program are available. Many miles of hiking and backpacking trails lead through the park's forests and alpine terrain, including the Mosca Pass Trail, Dunes Overlook/Sand Ramp Trail and Indian Grove Trail. Facilities Reservations are required to stay in Pinon Flats campground. The campground offers 88 campsites. The park recommends making a reservation in advance, especially for peak summer months from May through September. Private first-come, first-served camping is also available just outside the park boundary. For more information about camping, visit www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/camping.htm. Due to the historic design, the campground may not be able to accommodate all large, modern size vehicles. Most sites are small and unlevel, review photos and measurements carefully when choosing a site. During visitor center operating hours, you can see a park film, experience interactive exhibits, speak with a helpful ranger and visit the Western National Parks Association store. Kids of all ages can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet or participate in the Junior Ranger Explorer program. Natural Features Great Sand Dunes are the magnificent centerpiece of a natural system that includes high mountain peaks, sparkling streams, vast grasslands and lush forests. The campground is situated among pinon pines and sagebrush beneath the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Most sites have beautiful views of the snow-covered peaks. A wide variety of grasses and wildflowers can be found throughout the area, and mule deer are commonly seen in and around the campground. Nearby Attractions Zapata Falls is just south of the national park off Highway 150. A short but slippery 1/2-mile hike leads to a 25-foot high cascade. Simply driving to the trailhead provides an excellent view of the entire dunefield and San Luis Valley, especially at sunrise or sunset. San Luis State Wildlife Area is located at the western edge of Great Sand Dunes National Park. It features a large natural lake popular for boating, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing and fishing. Charges & Cancellations This is not a staffed facility. Campground hosts may be available for assistance. Visitors are responsible for knowing their site number and proceeding to the correct site after 2:00 PM. Early check in is not available. A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at the campground during their reservation,

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 90

LoopSiteTypeMax rigElectricADA
Group LoopAgroup tent only area nonelectric——
Group LoopBgroup tent only area nonelectric——
Group LoopCgroup tent only area nonelectric——yes
Loop 1001management35 ft—
Loop 1002rv nonelectric22 ft—
Loop 1003tent only nonelectric18 ft—
Loop 1004rv nonelectric18 ft—
Loop 1005tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1006tent only nonelectric15 ft—
Loop 1007tent only nonelectric18 ft—
Loop 1009tent only nonelectric——
Loop 1010rv nonelectric20 ft—yes
Loop 1011rv nonelectric18 ft—
Loop 1012rv nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1013tent only nonelectric15 ft—
Loop 1014rv nonelectric25 ft—yes
Loop 1015tent only nonelectric15 ft—
Loop 1016tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1017rv nonelectric25 ft—
Loop 1018rv nonelectric30 ft—
Loop 1019rv nonelectric25 ft—
Loop 1020rv nonelectric25 ft—
Loop 1021tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1022tent only nonelectric15 ft—
Loop 1023tent only nonelectric30 ft—
Loop 1024tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1025rv nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1026tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1027rv nonelectric15 ft—
Loop 1028tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1029rv nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1030tent only nonelectric18 ft—
Loop 1031rv nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1032rv nonelectric25 ft—
Loop 1033rv nonelectric25 ft—
Loop 1034rv nonelectric25 ft—
Loop 1035rv nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1036rv nonelectric25 ft—
Loop 1037tent only nonelectric18 ft—
Loop 1038rv nonelectric25 ft—
Loop 1039rv nonelectric30 ft—
Loop 1040rv nonelectric25 ft—
Loop 1041rv nonelectric25 ft—
Loop 1042tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1043rv nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 1044tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 2045tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 2046rv nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 2047rv nonelectric25 ft—
Loop 2048tent only nonelectric15 ft—
Loop 2049rv nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 2050rv nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 2051rv nonelectric20 ft—yes
Loop 2052tent only nonelectric15 ft—
Loop 2053tent only nonelectric15 ft—
Loop 2054tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 2055tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 2056tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 2057tent only nonelectric20 ft—
Loop 2058tent only nonelectric15 ft—

SHOWING 60 OF 90 SITES

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov
SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Fees

The entrance fee for Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is$25 for 1-7 days. This fee is not included in the camping fee. Interagency passes are accepted at the entrance station. If you do not have an interagency pass, you may purchase pass in advance or pay upon arrival.
SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Your representative

This campground sits in CO-03. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard