On dunes, hiking at the top of the ridge
lines is easier than along the sides

The dunes make for a dramatic setting on the plains of south-central Colorado, right at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo range. From the top you can see mountains on one side, while on the other, the dunes seem to stretch forever. Continue into the dunes and it's easy to convince yourself that you're in the Sahara.

The dunes probably started to form about 12,000 years ago, when the swollen Rio Grande spread sand across the San Luis Valley. Heavy winds carried-and still carry-the sand toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and dropped it off as the winds lost steam. Yet while heavy winds move the sand around quite a bit (you don't want to get caught in a sandstorm), moisture acts as a stabilizer, maintaining the height and even the contours of the dunes. Come back in 10 years and they're likely to look much the same.

The dunes themselves are not a haven for tons of flora or fauna, but you will find some 20 species of plants (pinon pine, juniper) and several more of animals (rabbits, mule deer) and birds (like the green-tailed towhee). However, Congress expanded the preserve in 2001, adding several habitats from the surrounding area. The topography of the preserve ranges from mountain tundra and pine forest to wetlands and desert, sheltering many endemic species.

Pinyon Flats campground is open year-round, and has 88 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fire grates, picnic tables, flush toilets and drinking water available.

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