Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are both stunning and unique destinations for those seeking adventure and natural beauty. These two parks offer an array of activities to explore dunes, from hiking and sandboarding to stargazing and wildlife viewing.
Dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve rise to over 700 feet, making them the tallest dunes in North America. White Sands, on the other hand, features soft, white gypsum sand dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Both parks offer a one-of-a-kind experience, but which is the better destination for your next adventure?
In this article, we will compare the two parks side-by-side, highlighting their similarities and differences. From scenic drives to camping and picnic areas, we’ll detail what each park has to offer and help you decide which one is the best fit for your next trip. So pack your bags and get ready for a journey through the breathtaking dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park!
Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two unique destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and hiking opportunities, but there are significant differences in the terrain and types of hikes available.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, visitors can explore the towering sand dunes which can reach heights of up to 750 feet. The park offers several hiking trails, including the easiest, the Dunes Overlook Trail, which is a short 0.25-mile round trip and provides stunning views of the dunes. On the other hand, the hardest hike is the High Dune Hike, which is a strenuous 4.5-mile round trip that takes visitors to the top of the tallest dune.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is a desert landscape of gypsum sand dunes that cover over 275 square miles. The park offers several hiking trails, with the easiest being the Interdune Boardwalk, a 0.3-mile round trip that takes visitors through the unique landscape of the white sands. The hardest hike is the Alkali Flat Trail, which is a 5.5-mile round trip and takes visitors through the heart of the dune field.
Whether you are a seasoned hiker or a beginner, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park offer unique and challenging hiking opportunities. With a range of trails, from easy boardwalks to strenuous hikes, visitors are sure to find a trail that suits their abilities and interests.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Dune Trail | 4828.02 | 191.7192 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mosca Pass Trail | 10299.776 | 444.7032 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dunes Trail from Pinyon Flats | 7242.03 | 290.7792 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Sand Dunes Loop Trail | 8046.7 | 225.8568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Sand Creek Lake Trail | 11909.116 | 598.932 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Medano Lake Trail | 12713.786 | 697.992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Montville Nature Trail | 804.67 | 26.8224 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Dunes Overlook Sand Ramp Trail | 2414.01 | 80.772 | Moderate | out and back | 3.5 |
| Little Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake | 40394.434 | 1079.9064 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Wellington Ditch Trail | 2896.812 | 47.8536 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in White Sands National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 6 |
Wildlife in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two of the most unique parks in the United States, offering a chance to see some of the country’s most beautiful and diverse wildlife.
At Great Sand Dunes, visitors can expect to see a variety of animals such as mule deer, pronghorns, coyotes, mountain lions, and black bears. This park also provides a habitat for over 330 species of birds, including the mountain bluebird, American goldfinch, and the rare green-tailed towhee. This park is also home to several species of plants, including sagebrush, yucca, and prickly pear cactus.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is home to a unique and diverse group of animals, including jackrabbits, roadrunners, rattlesnakes, and kit foxes. This park is also a great place to see a variety of bird species, including the pygmy owl, phainopepla, and the lesser nighthawk. White Sands is also home to several species of plants, including yucca, creosote bush, and ocotillo.
Whether you’re interested in wildlife or simply looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park offer something for everyone. So, plan a visit to either park and experience the beauty and diversity of wildlife in the United States.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Mallard | Mallard |
| Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| American Robin | American Robin |
| Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Black Bear |
| Porcupine | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mule Deer | House Mouse |
| Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Mink |
| Long-Eared Bat | Common Gray Fox |
| Badger | Plains Wolf |
| Ermine | American Badger |
| Snowshoe Hare | Ermine |
| Masked Shrew | Snowshoe Hare |
| Water Shrew | River Otter |
| Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat | Masked Shrew |
Reptiles
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Bull Snake | |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | |
| Western Prairie Rattlesnake | |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizards | |
| Milksnake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Fish
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | Largemouth Bass |
| German Brown Trout | Longnose Sucker |
| Cutthroat Trout | Green Sunfish |
| Bluegill | |
| Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| Lake Trout | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Ellpout | |
| Mottled Sculpin | |
| Slimy Sculpin | |
| Longnose Dace | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Amphibians
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two of the most unique and stunning parks in the United States. Great Sand Dunes is located in Colorado and is famous for its towering sand dunes that rise up to 750 feet from the valley floor. The sand was formed over millions of years from rocks and minerals that were ground into sand by the forces of wind and water. Visitors can hike to the top of the dunes and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is famous for its white sand dunes that stretch for miles across the desert. The sand here is made from gypsum, a type of mineral that is rare in the world. Visitors can hike, picnic, and even sled down the sand dunes. At night, the park offers stargazing opportunities that are truly breathtaking.
Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes, with towering sand dunes, pristine deserts and mountain ranges, and other natural wonders waiting to be discovered. Whether you are a nature lover, adventure seeker, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, both Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are destinations that you won’t want to miss.
Things To-Do and Activities in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two unique parks in the United States that offer different experiences to visitors. Great Sand Dunes is mostly known for its towering sand dunes, created by the combination of wind and water. Visitors can enjoy various sand-based activities such as sandboarding and sledding down the dunes. Hiking is also a popular activity, with several trails that lead to the top of the dunes, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
White Sands National Park is famous for its vast white sand dunes that stretch for miles. Visitors can take a scenic drive through the park, hike on the trails, or picnic in the dunes. One of the most popular activities is stargazing, as the park is known for having some of the darkest skies in the country, making it an ideal location for observing the night sky. Additionally, visitors can take a ranger-led moonlit hike, where they can experience the dunes in a different light.
Both parks offer unique experiences and activities that attract visitors from all over the world. While Great Sand Dunes is known for its towering dunes, White Sands is known for its pristine white sand and stargazing opportunities. No matter what your interests are, both parks are worth a visit.
Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two unique parks in the western United States. Both parks offer unique landscapes, but their seasonal weather patterns are quite different.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is located in southern Colorado and experiences warm summers and cold winters. The temperatures in the summer can reach over 90°F, making it the ideal time for outdoor activities such as sand sledding and hiking. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making it a less popular time to visit the park.
White Sands National Park, located in southern New Mexico, experiences hot summers and mild winters. The temperatures during the summer months can reach over 100°F, making it important to stay hydrated and to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day. Winter temperatures are much milder, with average highs in the 60s, making it a popular time for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.
Both parks offer unique experiences and the best time to visit depends on the type of outdoor activities that you are interested in. If you are looking for warm weather and outdoor activities, the summer months are the best time to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park. If you prefer cooler weather and fewer crowds, the winter months may be a better option.
Family Friendliness of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park are two unique parks located in the southwestern United States. Both of these parks provide excellent opportunities for families to explore and learn about the natural wonders of the area. However, when it comes to which park is better for families traveling with children, there are some key differences to consider.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is a great place for families with active children who love to explore and play in the great outdoors. There are many opportunities for hiking, sand sledding, and picnicking. The park has several hiking trails that are easy to navigate and are suitable for families with children of all ages. Additionally, the park has a visitors center that provides educational activities and programs for children.
White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is a more serene park with fewer amenities and activities. The park is best known for its vast white sand dunes that stretch for miles. It is a great place to go for a walk, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the area. While there are no formal activities or programs for children, the park is still a great place to visit if you are looking for a quiet and peaceful escape.
When it comes to choosing between Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve and White Sands National Park, it ultimately depends on your family’s interests and what type of experience you are looking for. If you are looking for a more active and educational experience, then Great Sand Dunes is the better choice. But if you are looking for a more relaxing and peaceful escape, then White Sands is the way to go.