Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve guide · 2 min read
Sandboarding the Dunes: Oasis Rentals and Seasons
Sandboarding and sand sledding let you slide down the dunes, but ordinary gear won't cooperate.
Snow sleds, saucers, cardboard and skis tend not to glide on dry sand. Boards and sleds made for sand have an extra slick base and special wax that keep them moving. You can ride nearly anywhere on the dunefield away from plant-covered ground, and young children often start on the smaller slopes near the base.
The National Park Service does not rent boards or sleds, so arrange gear before you arrive. The Great Dunes Oasis Store sits about 4 miles from the Visitor Center, close to the park entrance. The shop declines to rent sleds when the sand is wet, to keep the slick underside of each board in good shape. Spin Drift Sandboards in Blanca, 25 miles southeast of the Visitor Center, is another option, and Kristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa also rents gear.
You can slide in any season, but frozen sand changes what local shops will hand over. When the grains freeze, some retailers decline to rent sleds, since frozen sand can harm them. If snow covers the dunes, snow gear is the better choice.
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons to visit, with mild temperatures and sand that stays moderate through most of the day. Summer runs much hotter. The sand surface can climb to 150 degrees at midday, so plan dune time for early morning or evening. Wear boots with long pants to keep grains out of your shoes, and leave sandals at home, since they chafe your feet.
The dunefield covers about 30 square miles and holds the tallest dunes in North America. With no trails, you are free to wander, and walking along the ridge tops gives the firmest footing. The mountains, entrance road and Visitor Center stay in view, so getting lost is unlikely.
