I'm planning on spending 2 days in Denver,
1 in Golden, 2 1/2 days in Colorado Springs
and 1 in the Great Sand Dunes. My question
is: since the Great Sand Dunes is a 4 hour
drive from Colorado Springs, should I save
that for another trip? If I am going to use
1 full day for just 1 activity, I want to
make sure it's worth the time since there
are many other ways to spend my valuable
time. What would your recommendation be?

Alfreda:
While the Great Sand Dunes are pretty remarkable, I would probably save it for another trip. The best part of the Dunes is checking out these massive dunes in the middle of the mountains. We also take plastic sleds, hike up them and sled down. There are those that also ski or snowboard down them as well. You have to cross a "river" about 3" deep to get to the dunes. In the middle of the summer, there'll be people sitting in lawn chairs with coolers by their sides in the middle of the river taking in the sun. Its a place to relax... not to worry that you're wasting time. Next trip take a couple days, camp there then check out Durango and Silverton and the other Southern Colorado towns.

You didn't say what month you would be in Colorado? It would make a big difference. But I agree with the above post, although intriguing if in your path, the Sand Dunes is not worth a day of activity.

Wow - Great Sand Dunes NP is really FOUR HOURS from Colorado Springs??!

I am just planning my route & it doesn't look that far on a map. Is it slower driving time, & only entrance looks like it is on the south end of the GSD NP?

We expect to arrive in Co Springs by about 5:30 p.m. (July 1, 2003) & weren't sure whether to continue evening driving to GSD NP or wait till morning.

Is there anywhere to stay (camping is fine) once we get to the southern entrance area or inside GSD NP?

Yes, I have looked up details re: garden of the gods & seven falls. Looks like we may skip those since they are not really "enroute", garden closes earlier (& looks similar to landscapes we've seen before & will see in remainder of our trip through CO & WY), also seems expensive entry fee to seven falls for just an evening arrival.

Our time constraints do not allow us a day to sightsee the town/area of Colorado Springs.

Any comments/advice appreciated.

Also --- I cannot find my much earlier post re: ** Any good stops between GSD NP & Durango that I should not miss? (scenic/nature).


HAPPY NEW YEAR from Canada to You!!!


Sylvia

Great Sand Dunes is a neat place to visit. There is a nice campground there. Do stop over in Colo Spgs and do the drive in daylight. Fantastic views! Also do the drive from Durango to Silverton (US 550) - it's fantastic! At GSD, enjoy wading across the 'disappearing river'. As mentioned above, it's very shallow and goes into the sand just past the dunes.

I don't think that GSD is 4 hours away, either. Regarding stops between GSD and Durango:

If you like hiking, I'd recommend the Big Meadows Reservoir a few miles east of Wolf Creek Pass. (A forest road probably labeled "access to Big Meadows Reservoir" comes off from the right side of 160 as you're driving toward Durango; gravel most of the way, I think.) It's a lovely area, and since the walk around the reservoir is relatively flat, it's a good choice for people who may not be fully acclimated to the altitude. I think the walk would take one to two hours, and there are picnic tables nearby. It would make a great lunch stop even if you aren't hiking the circumference.

Pagosa Hot Springs is right on 160 in the center of the town of Pagosa Springs right before you cross the San Juan River. You can't miss the steam and sulfurous smell. It has several pools, all different temperatures. It's my favorite hot spring. Don't forget to bring a water bottle, since you'll sweat a lot.

Around Bayfield is the Piedra River. It has a forest road that parallels it going north off highway 160. Although I haven't been there, friends tell me that there's a really nice undeveloped hot spring about a mile from the forest road on an established hiking trail.

The Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer is a great resource for finding oddball places like the spring off the Piedra River road. You can buy the atlas at grocery stores, hiking shops, etc. Ours is completely worn out. If you want to order one in advance, the publisher is DeLorme.

If you want more specific information, e-mail me at hakesclx@ compuserve.com, minus the x.

To travellyn,

Thank you for the informative reply.

Is the Big Meadow Reservoir gravel road fine for a Toyota Corolla?

How long between GSD NP and Durango?

Is only one hour enough time to see GSD NP? We've seen inland sand dunes before & just want to get some photos, walk a bit there, etc.

Yes - definitely planning to do the route 550 between Durango & Ouray with a jeep ride from Ouray around Telluride, etc. Also Beartooth Highway once we get above Yellowstone, WY.

Once I get my trip details tentatively planned out, I'll post them for comments whether it is "do-able".

Fodors travel forums are great! Glad Utahtea recommended me to here a year ago.

Sylvia

Sylvia,

Glad to still see you around. I hardly visit the about.com forums anymore. They just don't have any good travel boards anymore.

Utahtea

The gravel road to Big Meadows is fine. We've done it in a Neon and a minivan, neither with 4WD.

I'm just guessing on travel time from GSD to Durango, but I'd say 3.5 hours. Colorado Springs to Durango is about 6.

I'd probably plan on about 3 hours at GSD, if possible.

Thanks!

Sylvia

The GSD sound like a lot of fun but it is not clear from reading prior messages where they are located. Can anyone be more precise with directions and locations.

Scott,

go to www.nps.gov/parks.html

choose Great Sand Dunes National Park and you can find out all the details /directions.

It is east of Durango along 160 in Colorado.