Colorado / Saguache County / Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites

Closed — Closed for winter. The road is only passable in warmer months with high-clearance 4WD vehicles and typically opens in late spring or early summer depending on snowmelt and road conditions.

About

Located in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, Medano Pass Primitive Road provides 21 designated roadside campsites that are free and first-come, first-served. These primitive sites begin 5.2 miles from where the road starts near Piñon Flats Campground. The challenging 4WD road crosses areas of deep sand, traverses Medano Creek nine times, and climbs to Medano Pass at 10,040 feet elevation. Each designated site includes a bear box for food storage and a metal fire ring. Campers must pitch tents within 40 feet of the bear box. The road is only passable during warmer months and requires a full-size, high-clearance 4-wheel-drive SUV, Jeep, or truck. ATVs and UTVs are not permitted. All 21 sites typically fill on summer weekends. This area passes through excellent bighorn sheep habitat. Campers must be self-sufficient: there are no toilets at the campsites, and water availability is seasonal. All trash must be packed out, and human waste must be buried 6 inches deep. Pets must be leashed, and fires are only permitted in existing fire rings using dead and down wood 4 inches or less in diameter.

Directions

The south entrance to Medano Pass Road begins just below Piñon 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. Campsites begin 5.2 miles from the south entrance. High-clearance 4WD required.

Nearby Campgrounds