Dunes & Don'ts: A Short Weekend At Our Sandiest National Park

A Last Minute Start and an Unexpected Surprise

For Labor Day, I decided to join my Meetup group for a last-minute camping trip near the Great Sand Dunes National Park. I was torn between visiting somewhere new and staying close enough for a day’s drive, but I figured the dunes were the perfect compromise. Plus, I’ve always been curious about the dispersed camping options near the dunes, so this trip seemed like the perfect chance to scope them out. I was hoping to find a campsite that could accommodate a larger group, with views, trees, or even flowing water.

On the way out, I thought about stopping at Lake Pueblo State Park to add to my collection of state parks, but then I spotted Lathrop State Park along the way—bonus park! This was a great chance to stretch our legs and follow up on our recent hike at Cherry Creek.

Unfortunately, the sun had other plans. It was beating down like an interrogation light, unnecessarily bright and hot. The trail was mostly exposed, so Maple and I braved the heat, even though all I wanted to do was turn back and find some shade. But we pressed on, and to my relief, about half the trail was shaded. Maple tolerated it for a while before resorting to her usual pleas for treats. At this point, I’ve decided to reframe it—not as bribery, but as a reward for good behavior. After all, being jostled around on a hike isn’t her idea of fun, so she deserves a treat for putting up with it!

Setting Up Camp

After our three-mile hike, we drove to the base of Blanca Peak, where our campsite was waiting. My friend Julian had staked out a spot, but it was fully exposed—nothing but shrubs and open plains. I thought I could find a better spot higher up the mountain where there might be trees, but the road quickly became impassable thanks to giant potholes and ditches.

Not long after, our other friend Eric arrived to set up camp, and we decided to check on Julian and see what he was up to. We found him at the visitor center right before it closed and made our plans for the rest of the day. 

Zapata Falls was beautiful but so crowded! It felt like navigating a busy mall. People scrambled along the rocks to avoid getting wet, but after a few awkward maneuvers, I decided to embrace the water. I waded in ankle-deep and accepted my fate—blisters might be in my future, but at least I wouldn’t be stuck on the rock face. I really wanted to get closer to the waterfall, but the roar of the echoing cave was too much for Maple, so we kept our distance.

When we got back to camp, we started making a fire, but with the wind ready to blow me over, we decided to not risk setting off another wildfire—Colorado has had enough of those this year. We discussed our plans for tomorrow; with the campsite being downright boring, no chance of a campfire, and no one really feeling up to visiting the dunes two days in a row, we decided to all leave on Sunday instead of Monday. It was a disappointment for sure. However, nightfall eventually came and the sky was SO CLEAR! We could see an unobstructed view of the Milky Way; it looked like a carpet of stars laid out before us. If only I could have stayed up later to relish it! It was by far the most rewarding aspect of the trip so far.

Day at the Dunes

The next day, I had one goal in mind: sand sledding. It seemed like a much safer option than sandboarding, especially with Maple along for the ride. Walking on the dunes, though, was no joke. Every step felt like sinking into the beach, and I was out of breath after the first incline!

When we finally reached a small hill to test the sled, Maple couldn’t have cared less. She was completely indifferent as we slid down—so far, so good! After another exhausting hike, we reached a larger 30-foot drop. I tested it solo a few times before taking Maple with me. She wasn’t thrilled, so I didn’t push her. We took a break at the crest, enjoyed the view, and had a little photoshoot before heading back.

After only 90 minutes, the sand was heating up fast. Even in late September, surface temperatures can reach 150 degrees, and we weren’t sticking around for that! By the time we got back to the car, I was too wiped to do the overlook hike and headed straight home.

Reflection

Overall, the trip didn’t meet my expectations. The campsite was bland, the dunes were tough, and even the drive home felt like a slog. But at least Maple had fun, and I got to experience some new places along the way. Have you ever had a trip that didn’t hit the mark? Share your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear them!