Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Accessibility
The closest parking to the dunefield is the Dunes Parking Area located 1 mile north of the Visitor Center, and an accessible mat runs from the parking area to the edge of Medano Creek and the sand, though beyond that, the loose sand and the creek make access into the dunefield nearly impossible for traditional thin-wheeled chairs.
You can reserve the free use of special balloon-tire wheelchairs to reach the dunes, and you’ll need a strong helper to push the chair through sand. When you make a reservation you can choose a traditional 4-wheel chair or a 3-wheel chair, and most people find the 4-wheel chair easier to push while the 3-wheel chair may work for a small child.
The sand wheelchairs aren’t suitable for very large adults or for an adult holding a child because the balloon tires only support standard adult weight limits, and the chairs should be borrowed only by those who need a chair for access. You’ll need to leave an ID at the visitor center to ensure the closet key is returned and bring the chairs back at least 1/2 hour before the visitor center closes. Sand wheelchairs should go only on sand or smooth pavement and never on rocks or cactus which may pop the balloon tires.
Pushing is fairly easy in the wet, firm sand along Medano Creek, but dry, soft sand takes strength and perseverance, and during dry times the sand may become especially soft.
You can reserve a wheelchair in advance by calling the visitor center at 719-378-6395.
The Visitor Center is open daily, the building and rest rooms are fully accessible, and a 20-minute captioned introductory film is shown daily during the summer months and on request during the winter months. At the Dunes Picnic Area there is one accessible site with a hardened trail to a nearby accessible restroom, and the site is shaded and close to a small seasonal creek.
Most free ranger programs are accessible, daily programs take place at the Visitor Center, and evening programs are offered many nights in the amphitheater from late May through early September, with paved trails leading from the campground or amphitheater parking area to the amphitheater, and for programs in the sand you may check out a dunes wheelchair while you can also check with park staff for other offerings that may be accessible.