What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Zapata Falls Trail
The Zapata Falls Trail, found right at this BLM site, is a short out-and-back trail that leads to the majestic Zapata Falls. Although the trail is steep and requires some climbing, most visitors find it to be pretty easy to traverse. Once you make it to the falls, you're rewarded with an awesome view in a very cool setting. You can take the hike, hang out at the waterfall for 30 minutes, and return to the trailhead, and the whole experience shouldn't take more than an hour. Try to visit the trail between April and October for the best weather.
Length: 0.9 miles
Intensity: Easy
High Dune Trail
Located within Great Sand Dunes National Park, the High Dune Trail offers a great challenge for experienced hikers. The out-and-back route is unmarked—hikers traverse it by following along the ridges of the spectacular dunes. Along the trail, there are perfect opportunities for camping as well as bird-watching. Although the hike is strenuous, those who take it on are sure to enjoy a unique experience and some awesome views of the surrounding park.
Length: 3.0 miles
Intensity: Hard
Sand Dunes Loop Trail
Another fantastic trail within the national park is the Sand Dunes Loop Trail, which is fairly long and considered to be moderately challenging. This trail, which doesn't tend to be especially busy, also serves as a fantastic route for horseback riding. Visitors to the trail will have plenty of freedom to roam the dunes and make their own adventure because the route isn't expressly marked.
Length: 5.0 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing and Boating
In addition to its wonderful hiking trails, Great Sand Dunes National Park offers some water-based activities too. If you head up to the Upper and Lower Sand Creek Lakes or Medano Creek, you can reel in a few Rio Grande cutthroat trout. The creek is naturally inhabited by the rare trout, and the lakes are kept stocked with them by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife service. The lakes and creek are also ideal spots to go for a refreshing swim when the weather heats up.
Climbing
If you're an experienced climber looking for a serious technical climb, head up one of the routes that lead to the summit of Blanca Peak. Blanca Peak is the fourth-highest mountain in Colorado, and any who reach the summit will be rewarded with some absolutely unforgettable views. Alternatively, if you're interested in ice climbing, you'll want to visit the Zapata Falls SRMA during winter. When it's cold enough, the falls freeze over to create a huge column of ice. Only experienced ice climbers should attempt to take on the frozen waterfall.
Wildlife Viewing
Although you may expect that not many creatures could inhabit an area like Great Sand Dunes National Park, there are actually quite a few fascinating species to be found there. If you explore the park, you may spot a yellow-bellied marmot, bighorn sheep, gray or red fox, or cougar. That isn't all — coyotes, mule deer, beavers, porcupines, badgers, and elk have also been frequently observed around the dunes or nearby creek. You'll also want to stay alert for interesting avian species, as you may see a peregrine falcon, bald eagle, golden eagle, or great blue heron.
Picnicking
For the most convenient picnicking, walk over to the Zapata Falls Campground, where you'll find several picnic tables. You can also make the hike to the waterfall and have a picnic nearby, but the area is quite rocky, and it may be challenging to find a suitable spot. However, even if you decide to enjoy your snack or meal at the campground, you'll have gorgeous views of the surrounding area and nearby sand dunes.
