Request for Great Sand Dunes tips

Anyone have any recommendations for their favorite Great Sand Dunes sunrise and sunset spots? Anything you have would be appreciated (particularly with pictures)! Thanks!

Get there before dawn. It's cooler, there shouldn't be any tracks left from the day before, and you can be in place on the edge of a dune at sunrise if you allow an hour. Take lots and lots of water with you.


Kent in SD

I have found sunset gets better light generally, the sand dunes are up against the mountains on the east and it takes awhile after sunrise for light to clear the mountains. When I've gone I have hiked into the dunes away from the main parking lot (go farther north) to have a better chance of sand without footprints. I usually try to hike to higher dunes to view multiple layers of dunes. If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, there is a road on the east side of the dunes that can get you back away from most of the tourists, it is very sandy. Another area is to hike up the west side of the dunes so that you can get a lot of dunes in the foreground and the Sangre de Cristo mountains in the backround (sunset again).

Aside from photography, if you are the camping type, you can camp on the dunes. It is a really cool experience to camp on the dunes with no one around and go hiking after dark with just the moon for light

This photo was at sunset from one of the highest dunes looking north.

I was there in early May. We camped in the regular campsites in the park. We were out at least an hour before dawn after a very windy night. Because of the time of year, we didn't have to work around too many tourist footprints. There were lots of animal tracks around and we saw one coyote walking through the dunes. The light changes very quickly when the sun starts coming up, so you have to be prepared to move as opportunities arise (not always an easy task in the sand). The trick is to keep your own footprints out of the best shots.

There are three shots from GSDNP in my portfolio.

Be sure to take plastic bags to protect your equipment. If it's windy, you'll be pulling sand out of your stuff for months.

Thanks for all your replies. I was also wondering if anyone recommended any particular kind of equipment for shooting the dunes (e.g., certain filters). Thanks!

Scott -- that's a beautiful shot!

Thank you Jelvis. Of course the biggest problem is the sand and if it is blowing you need to have some protection for your equipment. When I'm there I always carry a camera bag or at the very least a big plastic beg to keep sand out of the camera if the wind kicks up. I have not use filters, so no help there, but there is opportunity for the range of closups to wide angle scenics so a range of lenses is always good.

Not knowing where you are from, do keep in mind that the place starts at 7500-8000 feet in altitude. I was there maybe 6-8 weeks after doing one of my best marathon times and I can assure you that I really felt the altitude. Not with standing around as much as simply trying to climb the dunes with a pack of camera gear. Sand, altitude and a full camera bag means slow.

The advice to get out early is well-founded for practical reasons. Best light, avoid tourists and it will take you longer that you anticipate to hike.

Of course, if you are already living at altitude, it is not as much of a problem.

There is also a private campground maybe 2 miles before the entrance, with showers and a small store. The Park Service spots are more convenient, but if for some reason it is full, there is a plan B. And don't forget to look up at the sky while you are there. It is impressive.

Come visit us over at the RMNP forum. We've got tons of good info about the dunes.