The Place In Colorado That Is Often Overlooked In The Fall… But Shouldn’t Be

Come fall, everyone flocks to the mountains and other places that are abundant in trees, which leaves several Colorado locations and attractions nearly abandoned. While I am also a huge fan of the changing fall foliage, I enjoy discovering other must-see autumn attractions, which include this one iconic spot that is often overlooked this time of year. Here's everything you should know about planning your visit to the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado.

Quite possibly one of the most surprising and unexpected landscapes in the West is that of the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado.

The National Park & Preserve together encompass 232.9 square miles of land along the Sangre de Cristo Range.

The dunes alone stretch over 30 square miles and are made up of a mind-blowing five BILLION cubic meters of soft sand.

The region was initially created as the Great Sand Dunes National Monument in 1932, then changed to the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in 2004.

This stunning place actually has the tallest sand dunes in the country, with Star Dune reaching 750 feet tall!

The people standing at the base of the dunes in the photo above give a pretty incredible perspective of how massive they really are.

Why visit the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado in the fall versus other times of the year? For starters, the temperature is more stable.

Temperatures at the Sand Dunes change dramatically between seasons, with winter lows dropping below 0° F and summer highs reach above 100° F. In autumn, you'll find the region at its most pleasant; the average high in September is 71° F and drops down to 60° F in October.

The cooler temperatures mean less worry about burning your feet.

The heat of summer can make the sand itself can reach 140° F… ouch!

You'll also have better chances of seeing wildlife in the fall.

Keep your eyes peeled - this National Park & Preserve is home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. We’re not the only ones who prefer to protect our toes from the scorching sand - the cooler temperatures are more comfortable for the wildlife here, too.

Worried you won't see any beautiful fall foliage at the Sand Dunes? Don’t be; the region encompasses several different ecosystems in addition to the dune fields.

The highest elevation areas of the park are actually alpine tundra, and the mid-elevation subalpine and lower transitional areas support a wide variety of plant life that bursts into color during the autumn season.

With summer vacations behind us and kids back in school, there tend to be fewer visitors in the fall, which makes the experience of exploring the dunes feel even more otherworldly and surreal.

The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is open 24/7 and truly should be experienced in all four seasons, but fall will always be our favorite.

The main access areas to the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado are via the Dunes Visitor Center or Piñon Flats Campground. Here's a handy map to help you find your way to this stunningly beautiful location:

Do keep in mind that this region is a pretty remote wilderness area, so there is limited cell phone service and no WiFi near the park. For this reason, it's best to bring along a map or guide that is not reliant on GPS to help you navigate once you arrive. You can find more information about the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve on the National Park Service website (here's the official park map - you can also pick one up at the Visitor Center, which is located at 11999 CO-150, Mosca, CO 81146).

Ready to discover even more fall fun? Here Are 11 Of The Very Best Things You Can Possibly Do In Colorado This Season.