Great Sand Dunes National Park to phase in reopening starting early June.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve will begin a phased reopening next month after a shutdown because of coronavirus safety measures.

The park will increase recreational access beginning June 3 in accordance with guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health officials, according to a news release. Great Sand Dunes, located in Alamosa and Saguache counties, currently follows the Colorado “Safer at Home” guidelines.

Great Sand Dunes will implement Phase 1, on June 3, and reopen access to:

• Main Park Road
• Entrance Station, including the collection of fees if authorized
• Dunes Parking Area 
• Trails: Mosca Pass, Montville Nature, Sand Sheet Loop, Wellington Ditch, Dunes Overlook, Sand Ramp, Medano Lake, and Music Pass
• Picnic areas: Mosca Creek, Sand Pit, and Castle Creek

“We are excited to welcome visitors back to the park and support our local communities,” said Park Superintendent Pamela Rice in the release. “As the public returns to the park, we ask that they practice social distancing and follow national and state guidance to keep park staff, local residents and the general public safe.”

Areas and facilities that will remain temporarily closed, for health considerations, include the Visitor Center and Pinon Flats Campground. Closed areas of the park will reopen in later phases, according to the release.

Park Rangers will be on hand outside the Visitor Center to provide information and assistance, according to the release. Park functions and use will be monitored and visitors must comply with CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the spread of COVID-19.

Additional information is available online at www.nps.gov/grsa.

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