What to see and do. The highlight of the park, especially for kids, is the quarry, which is open from 8 AM until 7 PM summers (until 4:30 PM in winter). Enter the park on the Utah side, leaving your car in the parking area during the busy summer season and taking a shuttle to the quarry building, which is the only place in the park to see dinosaur fossils. You may drive the entire way in winter. Inside the handicapped-accessible building, don't miss the fossil-bearing layer forming one wall. In the eight-to-twelve-foot layer, some bones are exposed, allowing you to see them jumbled about just as they were laid down in the river eons ago. After the wall, walk through several exhibits explaining a paleontologist's methods and presenting the kinds of dinosaurs found in the rocks. After you've seen the quarry, drive the Cub Creek Road out to the Josie Morris cabin. You'll go past the two developed campgrounds, Split Mountain and Green River. Take the time to walk the nature trails found along the road. On the Desert Voices Trail, for example, you'll walk a two-mile loop through moderately hilly open country. With the help of signs you'll get a firsthand introduction to the desert and its threats. At two places, the "Swelter Shelter" rock overhang and another rock wall, have a look at the petroglyphs left behind by Native Americans. Your destination is the Josie Morris Cabin, home to a woman who lived on her own here in the wilderness through the first half of the century.

Another day at Dinosaur could see a drive along the Harpers Corner scenic drive up into canyon country. Stop at the park headquarters and visitor center located south of the park on Hwy 40. Here you can walk the Cold Desert trail and look at exhibits designed to introduce you to the geography and wildlife found in the canyons. Take along a leaflet explaining what you see at the several overlooks dotting the 31-mile drive. No camping is allowed along the drive, but you will find three picnic sites. If you have a high-clearance vehicle, consider turning off onto Echo Park Road. This rugged trip leads to a primitive campground with river access. At the end of the scenic drive along Harpers Road, take a self-guiding leaflet and a few hours to hike the two-mile round-trip trail. Bring along a camera to record your splendid views of the canyons formed by the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers. You can also spot the Echo Park campground 2,500 feet below.

Another drive best suited to off-road vehicles is the Yampa Bench Road. For 38 miles, you'll make your way through scenic backcountry. Rangers caution all drivers to bring extra water, and on unpaved roads, food and camping gear are advised in case rain turns the roads into impassable slicks of wet clay. Other camping and hiking options are available at the far corners of the park. For instance, in the north, Gates of Lodore is open year-round, offering a primitive campground, ranger station, and boat launch for rafters. All campsites are first-come, first-served. Ask at park headquarters for details about Deerlodge Park, Jones Hole, Ruple Ranch, and Rainbow Park. You can make day trips of nature trails, or you can plan on a three-to-five day hike the length of the park.

However you explore the terrain, take advantage of its relative isolation and undisturbed nature to catch glimpses of foxes, beaver, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Which wildlife you see depends on which elevation you're in. Consider taking a river trip, either on your own (permits required) or with licensed outfitters. The Yampa and Green run through rapids, so permits and experience are required. First-time rafters would thoroughly enjoy a guided tour through the stunning scenery of soaring canyon walls.

Pets: Leashed pets are not permitted in buildings or on trails.

Fees: A daily entrance fee is charged.


Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Address: 102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230
Phone: 970-641-2337
Fax: 970-641-3127

Overview.0 Dark gray walls of schist and gneiss rarely allow sunlight to brighten the bed of the Gunnison River as it snakes through the Black Canyon. So-called for its deep shadows, the "black" canyon plunges a steep 2,660 feet from the rim to the river. Sometimes the bottomland is only 40 feet wide, while the walls rise thousands of feet vertically almost from the river's edge. Prehistoric peoples and later the Ute Indians stayed up top along the rim, using the precipitous drop as a weapon by driving deer or buffalo over the edge. Spanish explorers missed this narrow gorge completely; Capt. John W. Gunnison, after whom the river is named, bypassed the canyon; only in the late 19th century did those of European descent first reckon with it.
After the 1873-74 Hayden Expedition dismissed the canyon as "inaccessible," interest was rekindled with the early 20th-century drive to irrigate arid areas. Many years and one successful float down the river later, the Gunnison Diversion Tunnel was completed in 1909. To preserve the river and spectacular gorge from further tinkering, 12 of the most awe-inspiring miles were designated a national monument. In 1999, the canyon received national park status.Today visitors enjoy rim drives and overlooks, while hardy climbers and hikers tackle the formidable canyon walls.
What to see and do. 0 Because descent into the canyon is tricky, most visitors are content to drive along the scenic rim roads. There are two: the North and South Rim roads. The only road access to the river itself is via a steep, switchback-filled, 16 percent grade on the eastern boundary of the monument, at East Portal. Begin your exploration on the south rim at the handicapped-accessible visitor center, which is open summers from 8am until 6pm daily and 8:30am to 4pm during the winter. Exhibits introduce the canyon's geologic and human history. Be sure to join one of the scheduled ranger-led nature walks to the canyon's rim for an even better explanation of the canyon's unique features.
For the south drive, you can buy a self-guiding pamphlet at the center. Along the seven-mile road, you'll be able to turn off at 12 scenic overlooks, three of which are handicapped-accessible. From some of the overlooks, nature trails lead you to the very edge of the canyon. Don't miss the Painted Wall View overlook. Once-liquid lava squeezed into nooks and crannies, eventually hardening into a different color from the base rock. While gazing at the splendid natural scenery, keep your eyes open for the endangered peregrine falcon. This canyon is one of its last homes in Colorado. You may also see golden eagles and falcons coasting on the air currents that rise from the gorge, or perhaps bighorn sheep picking their way gingerly down the walls.
The South Rim campground, located back toward the visitor center, has two handicapped-accessible campsites. On your initial drive in, you'll see it before you get to the center.
The two rim roads are not connected, but you can get directions from park rangers. Open only during summertime, the unpaved five-mile North Rim Drive offers six overlooks. At one end of the road you'll find a ranger station, and the campground is at the same location, also closed during winter.
There's a lot of backcountry to explore in the monument, but a descent requires climbing experience and stamina for rough terrain. Rewards include glimpses of owls, elk, and beaver, to name only some of the canyon's permanent residents. Obtain free permits as well as sound advice from rangers about hiking and climbing possibilities. There are no marked trails in the canyon.
During the winter season, the north rim closes entirely, and the South Rim Road is plowed as far as the visitor center. Snow-season visitors bring their cross-country skis for a breathtaking tour along the rim. If you call ahead, you can reserve a spot on monthly moonlight ski tours as well as Saturday and Sunday snowshoe hikes.


Curecanti National Recreation Area
Address: 102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230
Phone: 970-641-2337
Fax: 970-641-3127

Overview. When three dams were built on the Gunnison River in the 1960s, three reservoirs were created. Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal reservoirs have now become the state's prime water recreation hot spot. Named for the Ute chief Curicata, Curecanti National Recreation Area offers striking scenery; from sagebrush covered mesas to fjord-like canyons. Numerous smaller streams long ago carved these drainages on their way to spilling into what was once the Gunnison River. Rainbow, brook, and lake trout thrive in the deep, cold water. Blue Mesa, the largest reservoir in Colorado, is also one of the largest Kokanee salmon fisheries in the U.S. Visitors enjoy playing on the sun-splashed surface, fishing the depths, and camping in designated campgrounds around the reservoirs.

What to see and do. During the busy summer season, the three wheelchair-accessible visitor centers at Elk Creek, Lake Fork, and Cimarron are all open daily. At Elk Creek, an audiovisual program introduces you to the area's history and visitor opportunities. In summertime, check the schedule of ranger talks, and don't miss the trout viewing pond. Pick your water sport, and you'll be sure to enjoy it here. On Blue Mesa reservoir you'll find five boat ramps from which you can launch power boats. If you prefer canoeing, sailing, or windsurfing undisturbed by noise or wakes, put in on the other two reservoirs, which allow only hand-carried watercraft. During the summer, rent boats at the Elk Creek and Lake Fork marinas. If you'd like a tour, sign up for the ranger-guided boat trip on Morrow Point reservoir. Fishing is great anywhere on the reservoirs, provided you have a Colorado license.

After a day on the reservoir, camp at one of ten sites throughout the area. Some sites are wheelchair-accessible. At any of the visitor centers, you can get a schedule of evening programs and their locations. On your second day, think about a side trip to the Cimarron Visitor Center. During the summer, you can look through a narrow-gauge train exhibit of old Denver & Rio Grande cars and an engine. A drive along US Hwy 92 offers splendid views at several overlooks. Short hiking trails peel off from the road. There isn't a lot of backcountry for extended hikes, but rangers lead short theme hikes throughout the summer. Rangers can provide information on recently discovered fossils and ancient Native American dwellings.

During wintertime, only the Elk Creek Visitor Center is open, but the lake still offers outdoor opportunities. Drop a line beneath the ice once it thickens up; the ice fishing here is outstanding. Cross-country skiers cut paths along the shore or over the snow-covered lakes. Ranger-organized winter treks and snowshoe hikes reveal the chilly splendor of the area. Check at Elk Creek for details about these activities and about hunting regulations.


Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Address: 35110 Highway 194E
La Junta, CO 81050-9523
Phone: 719-383-5010
Fax: 719-383-5031

Overview. This adobe outpost, located on the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail, flourished in the 1830s and '40s as the region's center of trade. It was founded in 1833 by brothers Charles and William Bent and their partner, Ceran St. Vrain, who had left St. Louis to make a new start on the western frontier. The fort employed anywhere from 15 to 60 workers, and served as a rest stop for merchants and traders.

Mexican, American, and Native American goods were traded here; William Bent was on excellent terms with local tribes and was said to have persuaded them to trade peaceably within the fort. He was befriended by the Cheyenne and married Owl Woman, daughter of Gray Thunder, a ceremonial leader.

The prosperity of the fort would not last, however. In 1846, Congress declared war on Mexico and used Bent's Fort as a military supply depot. Increased travel across the Mountain Branch of the trail during and after the war damaged many of the area's natural resources, which in turn strained relations with local tribes. By 1850, William Bent torched parts of the trading post and moved to a new fort along the Arkansas River.

The fort's 33 rooms, made of adobe, have been reconstructed from the ground up based on historical records, drawings, and archaeological research. The fort is furnished with antique period pieces and reproductions; a replica billiards table and a replica 1840's freight wagon are featured.

What to see and do. An orientation film about the history of the fort and its founders starts you off on your tour. You'll be escorted around this "living museum" by costumed guides, or use a park brochure for a self-guided tour. You may feel as if you've stepped backward in time as "employees" in period costume work at such tasks as blacksmithing, fur pressing, trading, and cooking.

Special events include July 4th celebrations, featuring an old-time meal, speeches, games from the time, and demonstrations of life at the fort. Parents are cautioned to watch their children on the upper gallery, which has no handrails. The site is open daily from 9am to 4pm, with hours extended from 8am-530pm during summer. It is located 8 miles east of La Junta and 15 miles west of Las Animas.


Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park, CO 80517
Phone: 970-586-1206
Fax: 970-586-1256

Overview. When Thomas Jefferson authorized the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, few United States citizens realized the Rocky Mountains existed. Now over three million people visit Rocky Mountain National Park annually, and its peaks symbolize the American West for many others. With a rugged terrain soaring over 14,000 feet, it's hard to believe this land once lay underwater, the floor of a shallow sea. The process of mountain-building began 530 million years ago and continues today. Tectonic forces crumpled Earth's crust, slowly forcing wrinkles of rock upward. Once exposed to the elements, erosion began. The mountains we see today are being carved beneath the knives of wind and water.
Long before Native Americans and French fur trappers moved into the mountains, countless species of birds, plants, and mammals found homes within the three distinct ecosystems characterizing the park. At lower elevations, pine and fir forests of the Montane ecosystem cover the slopes and shelter coyote, deer, and squirrels. Above 9,000 feet, fir and Englemann spruce dominate the subalpine landscape. At 11,500 feet, alpine tundra takes over. Fully one-third of the park features this extremely fragile ecosystem of meadows covered with lichens and wildflowers no bigger than the end of a finger.
In 1860, Joel Estes and his son Milton were the first U.S. citizens to settle the area. They built a cabin in what became Estes Park. By 1909, naturalist Enos Mills recognized that the area's resources were worth preserving from further human encroachment. He began the campaign to set aside the region as a national park. In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson created the park, which now encompasses almost 416 square miles and features 40 miles of the Continental Divide.
Even though only one-eighth the size of Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain National Park hosts slightly more visitors per year. Beckoned by the scenic drives and miles of trails set amongst spectacular peaks, people of all ages come to the park to enjoy exploring the west's natural wonders.
What to see and do. If you have only one day to spare, a drive along the 50-mile Trail Ridge Road (closed during winter) will introduce you to most major features of the park. Trail Ridge Road is America's highest continuous paved road. Start your day at either Estes Park on the eastern side or Grand Lake on the western side. Close to both towns you'll find visitor centers where you can watch introductory films and pick up important park information. Winding your way upward through the park's three ecosystems, you'll have plenty of chances to stop at picnic areas or scenic overlooks such as Farview Curve. When you reach the 11-mile stretch of road snaking through the park's famous tundra landscape, be sure to stop at Rock Cut or Forest Canyon Overlook. With the Rockies in full view, you can take a short walk on paths through the tundra, home to plant life otherwise not found outside the Arctic. Close to the road's highest elevation of 12,183 feet, the Alpine Visitor Center offers exhibits on tundra ecology as well as a welcome snack bar. Expect to spend the entire day driving slowly, stopping at waysides, and absorbing the grandeur surrounding you. Other scenic drives include the Old Fall River Road (open from July to September), which is one way, uphill, and Bear Lake Road.
Most nature enthusiasts insist that the best way to appreciate the park's resources is by hiking or horseback riding along the park's 360 miles of trails. Fully 80 percent of the trails are open to horses, and several liveries, both within and outside the park, will help you saddle up. If you bring your bike, you must stay on paved roads. Day hikers enjoy several levels of difficulty, from more demanding routes to an 8.4-mile moderate loop through Glacier Gorge. Ranger-led programs are treasure troves of information. If you have more time, five campgrounds and myriad backcountry sites encourage overnight stays from one night to a week. If you prefer more rugged scenery, hike the eastern side of the park, which is famous for its craggy views. On the west side of the Continental Divide, a gentler, greener landscape greets your eye. Many small lakes and streams boast game fish populations, so bring your fishing gear. In order to better manage this resource, the park has a catch-and-release program. Anglers should get a list of closed, catch-and-release, and open waters. A Colorado fishing license, available at sporting goods stores in Estes Park and Grand Lake, is required. No matter how long you spend outside, keep your eyes open for the wildlife. Bighorn sheep, elk, coyote, mule deer, moose, black bear, and smaller mammals are only some of the species you may see.
Even though many park roads are closed during the winter season, the park remains a favorite destination for skiers and snowshoers. Most hiking trails become ski trails when covered with snow. Check with the park for easier trails, located mostly on the western side. On the rugged eastern side, you'll have plenty of opportunity for ski touring and mountaineering.
No matter what time of year you visit, several private outfits offer guided tours through the park. You'll find lodging year-round in the surrounding communities of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Pick up equipment, gas, and food supplies in these towns' many shops on your way to the park. At the visitor centers and campgrounds, participate in many ranger-led programs designed to enrich your experience of the park. Rocky Mountain National Park is bordered by the Roosevelt and Arapaho National Forests, a state forest, and two wilderness areas.


Hovenweep National Monument
Address: McElmo Rte
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: 970-749-0510 or 435-459-4344
Fax: 970-562-4284

Overview. Long before the Utes named this area Hovenweep, or "Deserted Valley," a thriving Ancestral Puebloan culture built architecturally sophisticated pueblo villages here on the Cajon Mesa. Located in the Four Corners region of Utah and Colorado, this monument preserves six clusters of ruins, some of which still stand over 20 feet tall even without their original mortar. Until about 900 AD, Anasazi peoples moved about nomadically, according to the seasons. But then they began to farm the mesa. At a higher elevation than the surrounding desert, the mesa catches a larger share of the scarce moisture. First these new farmers built pit houses, but later they began constructing multistory dwellings out of sandstone blocks and mortar. Most of the structures still visible today were built in the early 13th century, at the height of this civilization and just before these people moved away from the area. Current theory holds that a prolonged drought and depletion of resources, in combination with other factors, may have been the reason the Ancestral Puebloans moved away. Today visitors may hike contemplatively around the fragile yet impressive dwellings. Set in silent, rock-strewn sweeps of the sunbaked southwest, this 784-acre monument invites investigation into the daily lives of a hardy and resourceful group of people.

What to see and do. Begin your visit at the ranger station, where small exhibits offer an introduction to Ancestral Puebloan culture. Between 8 AM and 6 PM (4:30 PM in winter), a ranger will answer questions, and guided tours are available. Your main destination will be the Square Tower Group, a large cluster whose various buildings line a Y-shaped canyon. As many as 200 people may have once lived here. Among the many dwellings, look for the Eroded Boulder House, a dwelling inside a large boulder. There are two self-guiding loops; you should plan on about two hours on the rough trail marked by cairns. Both a longer hike and a shorter, more level one are possible; check with the ranger for more information. If you visit during the summer, be sure to bring plenty of water. Temperatures easily top 95 degrees. Because the dwellings are fragile, as is the soil surrounding them, you're asked to stay on the marked trails.

Don't pass up the other five areas of the monument. If you'd like to visit the Holly Group, a four-mile round-trip hike will take you there or you may drive with easy directions from a ranger. Another short walk along a dirt road brings you to the Horseshoe and Hackberry Groups. At Hackberry, you'll notice lusher vegetation due to a large spring in the neighborhood. Both sites offer more examples of pueblo architecture. Bring along a camera, especially if you prolong your visit until sunset. The dying light of day brings these sandstone dwellings to life with subtle color shadings and shadows.

It's possible to drive between the sites, but you should have a high-clearance vehicle for the rough terrain. At the ranger station, you can get a map and good advice from the ranger about how best to reach the other "outliers," as the sites beyond the Square Tower Group are called. A late May or early June trip will coincide with the annual biting gnat visitation, so bring plenty of insect repellent. Bring all your supplies, including gas and food, with you to Hovenweep because there are no stores nearby. You'll find picnic tables at the ranger station, which has a trash-free policy, meaning you should expect to pack out your refuse. A small campground is located at the monument (25-foot RV limit). All sites are first-come, first-served.

Fees: A nominal entrance fee is collected.


Yucca House National Monument
c/o Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330
Phone: 970-529-4461 or 907-529-4465
Fax: 907-529-4498

Overview. These ruins, the remains of a large Indian pueblo, were discovered in 1877 by Professor William H. Holmes. The site has yet to be excavated, so visitors can only see the mounds that once were limestone buildings. The largest of these is at least 15 feet high.

What to see and do. The site is open to the public, but it has no visitor facilities or other services. Yucca House is located 15 miles south of Cortez, CO; the road to the ruins is not developed and is practically impossible to travel when wet. Check with the Park Service at Mesa Verde National Park for specific directions to the site.


Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Address: 15807 Teller County Road #1 PO Box 185
Florissant, CO 80816
Phone: 719-748-3253
Fax: 719-748-3164

Overview. Today, Florissant, named for the myriad wildflowers that blanket its hills each summer, is a land of placid beauty. Roll back time about 34 million years, though, to when a 12-mile-long lake dominated the landscape, and the scene would be very different. The repeated eruptions of nearby volcanoes covered the vast forest with ash, killing plants and insects that eventually found their way to the lake bottom, there to be almost perfectly preserved. The ash covered and killed large redwoods, as well, and their petrified stumps add impact to the fossil finds at Florissant.

What to see and do. Take a Walk Through Time, a half-mile-long loop trail that passes by fossil-bearing shale beds and petrified redwood stumps. Or follow the one-mile Petrified Forest Loop and marvel at the Big Stump, the 39-inch-circumference remnant of a giant sequoia. Enjoy the blooming meadows and the wildlife that abounds in the park today along more than fifteen miles of additional trails.

The Hornbek Homestead, which includes the original 1878 cabin of Adeline Hornbek and her family, provides visitors with a glimpse at 19th-century farm life in the high country.

The park is a haven for picnickers, and many visitors cross-country ski or snowshoe on the park's trails in winter. Florissant is a photographer's paradise year-round.

There is a museum at the visitor center where fossils from the shale beds are on display, and various interpretive programs and ranger-led activities are available. The Rocky Mountain Nature Association maintains a bookstore at the visitor center, which is open daily, from 8 AM to 7 PM in summer, and to 4:30 PM in winter. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.


Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument
Fruita, CO 81521-0001
Phone: 970-858-3617
Fax: 970-858-0372

Overview. Soaring rock sculptures, deep canyons, and expansive plateaus characterize this monument to the rugged beauty of the western landscape. Long nibbled by runoff waters and winds after frosts and lichen acids weaken them, the rocks have gradually assumed myriad shapes: domes, arches, and spires, to name a few. Native Americans have roamed across the plateaus and lived along the canyon bottomlands for at least 8,000 years. After the Fremont culture disappeared around A.D. 1250, Utes occupied the area until forced out by settlers in the late 19th century.

Vivid palettes of purples, oranges, and browns splashed on canyon walls, along with the sheer enormity of the natural sandstone sculptures, caught the eyes of many newer residents, especially John Otto. After an intense campaign, these 32 square miles were designated a national monument in 1911. Today the area's varied terrain hosts many kinds of birds and animals, while its spectacular landscape beckons visitors year-round.

What to see and do. Begin your stay at the visitor center, open from 8 AM until 7 PM summers and 9 AM to 5 PM during winter. An audiovisual program acquaints you with the natural wonders you'll soon see, as well as some of the animals and birds you can expect to encounter. Check for schedules of campfire programs and pick up your guide to attractions along the scenic Rim Rock Drive. Close by the center, you can picnic or claim a campsite at Saddlehorn Campground. There are several ways to explore the park. From 16 overlooks along the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive, you'll be able to see far-off valleys, look down into the canyon at the brightly colored formations, and perhaps spot a bighorn sheep picking its way gingerly among the rocks. Glance upward to watch a golden eagle coasting the air currents. Because bikers are not allowed on hiking trails or in the backcountry, they take advantage of the Drive, too. By connecting to other roads, you and your bike can make a 33-mile loop.

Hiking may be the best way to fully appreciate the scale of the rock formations. Several short trails encourage walking that need not be a strenuous trek. Don't miss the Window Rock Trail. For a quarter-mile, you'll inspect up close hardy plants such as yucca, juniper and saltbush that have developed clever ways to conserve water in this hot, dry environment. In the late afternoon or early morning, you may also see small mammals out and about before the midday sun burns too brightly. Day hikers will enjoy six miles of the Monument Canyon Trail. Over a billion years of geology are writ large in the varied layers exposed to your view. Instead of the drier climate found along the canyon rim, you may find yourself surrounded by cottonwood trees and wildflowers here in the bottomlands. Rock wrens and pinyon jays chatter with squirrels and chipmunks as they all try to avoid bobcats, foxes, and rattlesnakes. Be sure to see the Coke Oven monoliths, which are rounded domes of sandstone, as well as the intriguing Kissing Couple rock sculpture and the Independence Monument. Horseback riders might appreciate the Liberty Cap Trail's sloping path through forest and across sagebrush flats on the Monument Mesa. During winter, cross-country skiers favor this route, too. Check at the visitor center for maps to these and several other trails through the backcountry.


Great Sand Dunes National Park
Address: 11500 Hwy 150 11999 Hwy 150 (Visitor Center)
Mosca, CO 81146-9798
Phone: 719-378-2312
Fax: 719-378-2594

Overview. At the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in southern Colorado, an unexpected sight surprises the eye. Far from the seashore, 39 square miles of ever-shifting sand dunes undulate across the landscape. Strong winds created and continue to change the shape of this horizon. Prevailing southwesterlies pick up particles from the Rio Grande Valley, then drop them on the San Luis Valley floor as the winds lose their force against the mountains. Medano Creek runs along the southeastern edge, providing the water that keeps the dune base in place. To protect the largest dunes in North America, this monument was established in 1932. Visitors enjoy hiking to the 700-foot peak, picnicking in cottonwood stands, and splashing in the creek.

What to see and do. Begin your visit to the dunes by stopping at the visitor center, open daily except winter holidays, with extended hours during the summer. A short video presentation and some exhibits acquaint you with the area's unique geology. Stake out a spot in the Pinyon Flats campground, then set about enjoying the sand. You may choose to stick to the 18 miles of established trails, which include both short nature trails and a longer trip to Mosca Pass. Or you may strike out on your own over the dunes, which offer unlimited hiking. Consider trekking to the peak of the tallest dune. The walk can take one and a half hours, depending on your pace. Because the sand temperature can reach 140 degrees in the midday sun, it's advisable to go early in the day or in the late afternoon, before the sand gets foot-blistering hot. When out on the rippling sand, keep your eyes open for tell-tale tracks of the few creatures who make the dunes their home. Ord kangaroo rats can survive a lifetime without a sip of water, and you'll find several species of beetles nowhere else in the world but here.

If you bring a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you may explore the outskirts of the area along the Medano Pass Primitive Road, which continues into the Rio Grande National Forest. Guided jeep tours are also available in the summer from the concessionaire at the monument boundary. Rangers offer a wealth of information and fun. Check at the visitor center for a summertime schedule of interpretive nature walks, lectures, and campfire programs. Nighttime walks with a flashlight turn up shy nocturnal creatures (observe, but please do not disturb).


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