Closed Sand Dune Areas
Great Sand Dunes National Monument
Great Sand Dunes National Monument - closed to vehicles
Location: Southern Colorado
Description:
North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged
Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The main dune field grows to enormous heights not only because of a complex
wind regime, but also due to sand carried by Medano and Sand Creeks. These
streams seasonally carve out and carry sand from the east and north side of the
dunefield and re-deposit it where wind can transport it back to the dune field.
Managed By: National Park
Service
Directions:
Great Sand Dunes National Monument is located 35 miles
northeast of Alamosa,Colorado, reached by US Highway 160 and Colorado Highway
150 from the south. or from Colorado Highway 17 and County Six Mile Lane from
the west.
Mapquest
Map of the park - click to enlarge
Size: Over 30 square miles
Date of Closure: 1932
Type of Closure: Permanent
Reason for Closure: Great Sand Dunes
National Park and Preserve Act - 1932
Links:
Other Photos:
Great Sand Dunes from space - click to enlarge
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