Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites

About

Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites offer backcountry vehicle camping in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve along a rugged 22-mile 4WD route connecting the park to the Wet Mountain Valley. The 21 numbered sites are free and first-come, first-served with no reservations. Each site features a fire ring and most include bear-proof food storage boxes. This is true primitive camping with no toilets, no trash service, and seasonal potable water availability only. Accessing the campsites requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle with low-range transfer case. All-wheel drive crossovers, mini-SUVs, and ATVs are prohibited. The road traverses deep sand sections, rocky terrain, and nine crossings of Medano Creek, taking 2.5-3 hours to drive. Heavy-duty off-road tires with 10-ply sidewall rating are strongly recommended. There is no cell signal along the entire route. The road typically opens in mid-to-late May and closes in late November depending on snow and conditions. Sites fill on summer holiday weekends and often on regular summer weekends. Campers must pack out all trash and bury human waste 6 inches deep. The area passes through excellent bighorn sheep habitat and the 2010 Medano Fire burn area.

Directions

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.