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Welcome to Great Sand Dunes National Park!

Park History

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, located in southern Colorado, has a rich history, evolving from a National Monument to a National Park and Preserve. The area's unique geology, formed over millions of years, has drawn human presence for over 11,000 years. The dunes themselves were designated a National Monument in 1932, primarily due to the efforts of local citizens and the P.E.O. Sisterhood, who sought to protect the area from mining and other potential threats. In 2004, the monument was expanded and redesignated as a National Park and Preserve, encompassing a larger area and protecting the entire dune ecosystem.

History:

Pre-Park Era:
Evidence suggests human presence in the area dates back 11,000 years, with various groups like the Southern Ute, Jicarilla Apache, and Navajo inhabiting the region.

Early American Exploration:
Zebulon Pike was the first recorded American explorer to cross the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and encounter the dunes.

National Monument Designation (1932):
Driven by local concerns about mining and sand extraction, the Great Sand Dunes National Monument was established by President Herbert Hoover on March 17, 1932.

National Park and Preserve Redesignation (2004):
Legislation in 2000 authorized the expansion and redesignation, which was finalized in 2004, formally creating the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

Geological Formation:
The dunes themselves are the result of a complex interplay of geological processes over millions of years, including volcanic activity, tectonic uplift, and the drying up of ancient Lake Alamosa, which left behind the sand that forms the dunes.

Ongoing Preservation:
The park continues to be a site of scientific research and is managed to protect its unique natural and cultural resources. -- Source Google



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