Table of contents:
Crestone: a community of Artists.
Early history of the San Luis Valley & Crestone
5th Annual Crestone Music Festival
Alternative Building in Crestone
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The
Sand Dunes
Located in the high altitude desert of the
San Luis Valley, Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve
nestles itself against the rocky Sangre de Cristo Mountain range. The dunefield
spans 30 square miles and lies in a desert valley with a backdrop of alpine
peaks, while creeks flow on the surface of the sand. The beauty of this
mystical place is that of otherworldly solitude and expansiveness.
President Clinton signed the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of 2000 on November 20 of that year, which authorized the expansion of the national monument into a national park almost four times its original size. Roughly 42,000 acres of national forest wilderness area were immediately transferred to NPS management, and were renamed the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.
The dunes have been formed over thousands of years by the continuous interaction of wind, sand, and water. Every day, sand grains are moving, bouncing, avalanching, flying through the air, or flowing in a stream. Sand constantly erodes from the surrounding mountains and is carried in water or blown by the wind toward the dunes. Considered the tallest in North America, these dunes tower over 700 feet. Scientists continue to unravel the many geological mysteries of the dunes like how they are formed, how old they are, and their changes over time.
Tourists can enjoy ranger led programs which are available each day during the summer to assist visitors to understand more about the park. Additionally, programs are offered for K-12 students from September through early June. Subject areas include geology, animals and ecosystems, cultures and archaeology, resource management and field science, and wilderness and Leave No Trace skills. Programs generally last 1-2 hours, depending on the time of year, staff availability and teacher’s schedules.
Rangers are available from September through early April to visit K-12 classrooms in San Luis Valley classrooms. These classroom programs are curriculum based and hands on in nature. Rangers bring the excitement of the outdoors to your school and can share a 30-60 minute lesson with your students that complements their studies in geology, history, biology, and other subjects. Please call or email at least 2 weeks in advance to schedule a program in your classroom.
Hiking, camping, and trails for horseback riding can also be enjoyed. The dunes are open year round with a fee of $3 for adults and no charge for 16 years and younger. Camping is available for $12 a night. For more information about the Great Sand Dunes, call the Visitor Center at (719) 378-2312 x 220 any day.
President Clinton signed the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of 2000 on November 20 of that year, which authorized the expansion of the national monument into a national park almost four times its original size. Roughly 42,000 acres of national forest wilderness area were immediately transferred to NPS management, and were renamed the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.
The dunes have been formed over thousands of years by the continuous interaction of wind, sand, and water. Every day, sand grains are moving, bouncing, avalanching, flying through the air, or flowing in a stream. Sand constantly erodes from the surrounding mountains and is carried in water or blown by the wind toward the dunes. Considered the tallest in North America, these dunes tower over 700 feet. Scientists continue to unravel the many geological mysteries of the dunes like how they are formed, how old they are, and their changes over time.
Tourists can enjoy ranger led programs which are available each day during the summer to assist visitors to understand more about the park. Additionally, programs are offered for K-12 students from September through early June. Subject areas include geology, animals and ecosystems, cultures and archaeology, resource management and field science, and wilderness and Leave No Trace skills. Programs generally last 1-2 hours, depending on the time of year, staff availability and teacher’s schedules.
Rangers are available from September through early April to visit K-12 classrooms in San Luis Valley classrooms. These classroom programs are curriculum based and hands on in nature. Rangers bring the excitement of the outdoors to your school and can share a 30-60 minute lesson with your students that complements their studies in geology, history, biology, and other subjects. Please call or email at least 2 weeks in advance to schedule a program in your classroom.
Hiking, camping, and trails for horseback riding can also be enjoyed. The dunes are open year round with a fee of $3 for adults and no charge for 16 years and younger. Camping is available for $12 a night. For more information about the Great Sand Dunes, call the Visitor Center at (719) 378-2312 x 220 any day.
site
created and maintained by
Crestone Creations Publishing
PO Box 472; Crestone, Colorado 81131
719.256.5222