Great Sand Dunes National Park + 3 things we'd do different
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- We were surprised and delighted by our trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park, but we did not come prepared. We are already thinking about the next time we'll get to visit this super fun National Park with all the right things!
@Raising Brave This location has always been a "sleeper" destination. Everyone is surprised not only by how uniquely beautiful the contrast of the scenery, but all of the things there is to do. I have been to SD many times since the '60s. The very best time to go is early May. It isn't as crowded then, and the water is just beginning to percolate through the sand on more, and more increasing time intervals, and water volume gradually increases with every event; until it turns into a full stream, and then it backs off until it completely drys up in the fall (though it's usually snow covered by then). In other words the snow melts, at the rate of a "Bell Curve" causing this phenomena. The anticipation of waiting for the next burst of water through the sand is not unlike waiting fo "Old Faithful" to blow. Those aren't the only reasons to go in May, the snow on the peaks add at least 50% more beauty. In other words, the scenery is off of the charts with snow capped peaks of the San Juan Mountains (Continental Divide) that are the west wall of the valley, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains forms the east wall of the valley (if your at Sand Dunes then you are in the San Luis Valley). In fact just because of the remaining snow on the mountains, my favorite thing of all is to drive south from the SD entrance a few miles, and park the vehicle facing north by northwest to watch the most beautiful sunsets that I have ever seen; it's truly like "icing on the cake." In the past there use to be a large private campground south of the park where I would always stay. I would always have the campground practically all to myself, and I would camp there for weeks sometimes not just because of the beauty from being south of SD would afford, but there wasn't all of those annoying rules and cost of the national parks. Anyways the beauty of the evenings was so vivid that you would look forward to them. Oh yea, the area is also a hotspot for UFO sightings. In fact some of the very first cattle mutilations were reported by ranchers of the San Luis Valley.
+ dont leave your camper keys at the gas station outside the dunes when your camping at the koa in alamosa its a 60 mile round trip 😜
OMG you're a doppelganger of Anna Kendrick. Side note: we are trying to plan ahead so watching all the Sand Dune videos and came across yours. :D
You guys are a pretty cool family, but I was disappointed in your contempt prior to investigation of Sand Dunes Hot Springs RV Park. You deprived your kids of a truly wonderful opportunity to experience water from a natural hot spring. The pool is filled with completely natural hot water from an artesian well a mile down. You would have had to drag your kids out.
I am glad for the environment that you guided your kids into the Junior Ranger program. That was some sweet video.
Grew up in the San Luis valley. Went to the dunes so many times
Very cool, will have to add to bucket list
It was so much fun! Our kids keep asking to go back. I wish we lived closer so it could be an easy weekend trip. Get a tent and camp in the site at the NP. That’s what I would do next time.
Taking the family here this summer... we'll bring our swimsuits, sleds, and plan to spend the day. Thanks for the tip!
It was so much fun! I want to go back now that the kids are a couple years older
KeeFr Hikes, be aware that Medano Creek (the creek at the foot of the dunes) dries up by mid summer most years, some years earlier, some later, depending on an always-variable winter snow pack in the mountains. To my thinking, playing in the creek is the best reason to visit the Dunes with your kids or grandkids, _maybe_ in mid-June --- but no guarantees. Check the GSDNP website for more timely info. BTW, it's definitely a wading creek, so you won't need a snorkel or fins. On the other hand, carry some swim fins with you; give the locals a good laugh.
@@generybarczyk6993 LOL, maybe we'll pack that in our carry-on bag. Mid-June is very approximate to when we will be there.... maybe the water will be just right.
@@KeeFrHikes Final bit of advice: The shrubby strip between the main parking lot (not the visitor center's lot) and the creek/dunes is known to harbor some of the most voracious mosquitos in this quadrant. Plan to hurry through and then set up at least, oh, sixty-seventy feet away.
@@generybarczyk6993 nice advice. Thank you 🙏🏻
Please mention the Mike you are using for video recording. Because audio is super clear .
The creek where you could walk through ice cold water was what I was expecting prior to visiting this national park. But when I was there a few months ago... no water. Very disappointing :(
It's a seasonal creek. If you want water late spring is the best time. Try May next time
“It’s a creek technically”
I mean, accuracy matters 😂
Thanks for the great videos! Is it possible for you guys to tell about the cost per night for those places you stay in (or share the names)? Also, what is the mileage you get while towing Keystone 243BHS with Armada on Interstates?
Any new videos? Got us hooked on your videos and are wondering how things are gong?
5:27 for tips
Thank goodness thank you.
We love your videos! I am sad to discover these latest are 11 months old, hope all is well. I so want to go here with the kids!
Jessica, it makes us sad toooo! We are currently at our home due to COVID and need to get out and make more videos. I miss it.
Raising Brave oh for sure, understand! I’m loving your content though! I’m binging some raising brave! We just went out for a short camping trip this weekend. Can’t wait to travel and take a week or two! A goal of mine is to do the blue ridge parkway! But it would definitely help if things were open for the full experience!
Great amenities at the campground. One word of caution, try not to do this Park in winter. It can be brutal. But it is absolutely unique.
Great advice! We will definitely head back at some point, but will plan accordingly!
The jr rancher program is awesome. It’s Americans 2nd best idea
Any tips on what types of sleds worked best on the sands? Tubes vs saucers or foam ones?
Bring a saucer for sure! But we saw people with all sorts of sleds and they all looked fun. I think a snowboard type sled would be so fun!!
You can rent out sleds at a campground (Oasis) just 4 miles south of the visitors center. They work great.
You really missed out not going to Sand Dunes Recreation Pool. It's well worth the money.
I play in the creak and the dunes 😊
Did you stop at Zapada Falls? They are right by there. It's a great side trip.
We did not! I really want to make it back here for a longer visit and need to add that to the list. Thank you so much for the suggestion!
We tow our bunkhouse with a 2017 Armada as well. Any sag issues when loaded down? Keep posting!
No issues with the Armada yet. We have had a couple hiccups with the sway bar system, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a wrench or two
Are you guys still on the road?
How the heck do people without a trailer go to the bathroom there?
Honestly - no idea
They go up the mountain dune thing and then do their business
@@kaimaddog9188 @Raising Brave Really? There are restrooms (in the visitor centers), and porta potties in the parks. In fact there is a couple of porta - potties in the video at minute 2:04.
@@kaimaddog9188 Don't let the rangers catch you!
This was a cool place, but there were a surprising amount of mosquitoes.
Oh my gosh! I don’t remember the mosquitoes, but that sounds horrible! I’m such a baby about bug bites 😂
How’s the armada treating g you guys
It’s excellent!
We still love it. It can tow, it’s fun to drive, and it holds up really well. Knock on wood - no issues at all yet
I was going to subscribe but it looks like you are no longer posting
We got caught up in travels and decided to focus on being present in the moment instead of behind the camera 🎥 We are currently at our home base in MN for the quarantine and for the foreseeable future. We will likely be posting more DIY-related content while we are here.
Nate's so dreamy when he wears his hat backwards
Hahaha! Agreed 😍
Oh god the 30 second intro that’s interesting 😖😣😣
Glad you liked it 😜 Good feedback though. It's probably not necessary
No it fine it a great intro 🙂 keep up the good work!!
you guys quit?
Due to a pretty awesome job opportunity that was presented, we are back to part time rv-ing. We will continue posting videos on a part time basis. We have lots of trips booked for the summer with friends and family who we missed while we traveled in 2019
@@RaisingBrave Looking forward to your new videos.
Click bait station
Did we not deliver on the title? Head to 5:12 to get the 3 mistakes we made.
Could you have wasted more, of my time? No.