Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites
Campground ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Great Sand Dunes National Preserve (National Preserve) · Open Access
- 8,570 ft
- Elevation
Roadside camping is permitted at 21 campsites in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve beginning 5.2 miles from where the road begins near Piñon Flats Campground. These designated sites are free of charge and first-come, first-served. All 21 sites fill on summer weekends. Passable only in the warmer months and only with high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles. This road crosses areas of deep sand, traverses Medano Creek nine times, and passes through excellent habitat for bighorn sheep.
Getting there
The south entrance to Medano Pass Road begins just below Pinon Flats Campground, one mile north of the visitor center. The road's north access is in the Wet Mountain Valley, on Highway 69 south of Westcliffe.
37.80352, -105.49565 · 37°48'12.7"N 105°29'44.4"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 1.6 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites
- Can you reserve a site at Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites?
- No. Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites
- Pinon Flats Campground 4.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Duncan Cabin 8.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Zapata Falls Campground 13.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Alvarado Campground 19.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ponderosa Group - Lake Isabel 26 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Spruce Group - Lake Isabel 26 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Entrance Station 5.6 mi · Visitor Center
- Stone Cellar Guard Station Cabin 8.1 mi · Campground
- South Colony Basin 12 mi · Facility
- Zapata Falls Day Use Area 13.1 mi · Facility
- North Crestone Creek Campground 18.2 mi · Campground
- Spruce Group Campground 25.9 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone (719) 378-6395
- Email grsa_interpretation@nps.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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