The Great Sand Dunes, specifically referring to the protected area encompassing them, are part of a vast landscape. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve covers about 150,000 acres, which is equivalent to 604 square kilometers.
This impressive size includes not only the towering sand dunes themselves but also surrounding alpine lakes, forests, and tundra, creating a diverse ecosystem. While the dune field itself is a significant feature within the park, the total area managed by the National Park Service is much larger, safeguarding the entire watershed and geological system that supports the formation and movement of the dunes.
Understanding the scale of the park helps illustrate the scope of the natural processes at work, from wind patterns sculpting the dunes to the flow of water in the surrounding mountains.
