Hiking the Hidden Dune Trail in Great Sand Dunes National Park
Distance (Roundtrip): 4.6 miles / 7.4 km
The Hidden Dune in Great Sand Dunes National Park is arguably the most aptly named of the three major dunes within the Great Sand Dune field, which includes the Hidden Dune, High Dune, and Star Dune.
I say this because the Hidden Dune is just that remote, and this is reflected by the fact very few visitors make the long trek to the Hidden Dune, so finding evidence of previous hikers on the Hidden Dune Trail will be far less likely compared to the other two.
That said, the argument could be made that the Star Dune is just as remote, if not more so, but since the Star Dune can be reached more easily by knowing precisely where to turn into the dune field along Medano Creek, the Hidden Dune is actually more remote, as it is located much deeper within the dune field in comparison.
In any case, I’ve shared my experience in the way that it is below, so that you can learn from my mistakes because the Hidden Dune, as well as the route to get there at the end of the Sand Pit Trail, are not obvious from afar. Therefore, I highly recommend following the coordinates I have listed throughout this article in order to follow the most direct and, more importantly, the most efficient path to the Hidden Dune.
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Hidden Dune Trailhead Parking
The Hidden Dune Trailhead is located at the same Point of No Return Trailhead as the Sand Pit Trail, about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) from the area where the pavement ends on Medano Pass Primitive Road.
That being said, there is a parking area closer to the dune field, about 1.6 miles (2.6 km) past the pavement. However, this trailhead is past the Point of No Return, which is reserved for 4WD vehicles only.
This is all to say that the pavement ends near the Piñon Flats Campground, but most vehicles should be able to make it as far as the Point of No Return, provided that the road is in good condition and is snow-free.
Google Maps Directions: Hidden Dune Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Great Sand Dunes
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Sun Shirt w/ Hood - A quality sun shirt can be your best friend on a trail with minimal shade, which can be found in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Hidden Dune Trail
The Hidden Dune Trail begins on the 0.6-mile (1.0 km) Sand Pit Trail.
At the Point of No Return, the Sand Pit Trailhead can be found just past the parking area, on the left-hand side of the road.
To skip ahead to the Sand Pit and the start of the Hidden Dune Trail, click here.
For the most part, the Sand Pit Trail follows a relatively easy and straightforward downhill path directly toward the sand dunes, with Mt. Herald towering above the dune field in the distance.
Throughout much of the spring, summer, and early fall, wildflowers can be enjoyed throughout Great Sand Dunes National Park, and the Sand Pit Trail can be one of the best places to enjoy them!
Sun Shirts
If this is your first time in the area, you’re likely unprepared for how strong the sun can be.
For this reason, I recommend picking up a quality, hooded sun shirt if you plan to do any hiking. Protection from the sun cannot be overstated, and in my experience, sunscreen alone has never been enough over a multi-day visit, especially if you’re visiting during the summer season!
Sand Pit Picnic Area Junction
After about 0.3 miles (0.5 km), the Sand Pit Trail splits for the only time with the trail that leads to the Sand Pit Picnic Area.
This is the much closer trailhead mentioned previously, where 4WD vehicles have the option to park closer to Medano Creek and the dune field.
That being said, go left to stay on the more trafficked side of the Sand Pit Trail, which leads to Medano Creek shortly ahead.
As the Sand Pit Trail nears Medano Creek, the trail will begin descending a short hill, followed immediately by the crossing.
Medano Creek
Whether beginning here or at the Medano Creek Trailhead, where the High Dune and Star Dune Trails begin, Medano Creek is the infamous right of passage to get to the dune field.
With that said, Medano Creek typically flows across the Sand Pit Trail much later in the season compared to the dune field access point on the High Dune Trail, due entirely to the fact that it is located further upstream.
There’s no straightforward way across Medano Creek, but these photos from late in the season show a relatively easy crossing compared to how it can appear at different times of the year.
On the far side of Medano Creek, visitors have the option to hike in any number of directions, with most climbing the nearby foothills in order to go sledding down the first few smaller dunes.
This is the end of the Sand Pit Trail, which is the foothills of the expansive 30-square-mile dune field and the beginning of the hike to the Hidden Dune.
Google Maps Directions: End of the Sand Pit Trail
Hidden Dune Trail
From the end of the Sand Pit Trail, it may seem like the best way to hike directly toward the Hidden Dune is to the right, but it’s actually the opposite.
The easiest and most efficient route, in order to minimize elevation changes, is to go left toward the pin linked below, where it will ultimately climb steeply up the ridge that the photos below lead to.
Google Maps Directions: 37°45'51.6"N 105°30'57.9"W
Note that all GPS coordinates in this article follow the visual representation of Google Maps and that actual locations may be slightly different from the imagery of where these pins were placed.
In the beginning, it’s important to follow the base of the dunes without climbing too high or going too low, in order to minimize effort.
This first hill, off in the distance, is the steepest and most challenging part of the entire hike to the Hidden Dune.
However, the hike to the Hidden Dune noticeably becomes easier from that point on, as this is by far the best and most gradual route compared to others, which I can confidently say from experience!
This is the location of the first set of coordinates, which, as previously mentioned, is where the rest of the Hidden Dune Trail becomes much milder compared to the steep ascent to reach this point.
That said, go right once on top and either hike on the ridge or parallel to it, heading north toward the next pin.
The idea here is to maintain elevation until the low point, where the next pin is located, becomes visible. At that time, it’s best to leave the ridge and hike directly toward it.
Google Maps Directions: 37°46'10.0"N 105°31'13.4"W
The dip in the ridge above the vegetation is the low point referenced above, and it’s the location of the second set of coordinates.
This is where it’s best to leave the ridgeline and hike directly toward the pin linked above.
This is the location of the second set of coordinates, with the third set linked below.
That said, the Hidden Dune Trail from here to the summit gets a bit easier to navigate, as the dune itself and Mt. Herald start to become visible from this point moving forward.
Google Maps Directions: 37°46'22.5"N 105°31'20.1"W
Again, I cannot stress the importance of hiking in a quality sun shirt in Great Sand Dunes National Park, as there is quite obviously no shade on a clear day!
All of the hills off in the distance toward the Sand Pit are exactly why I suggest hiking to the Hidden Dune in the direction that follows these pins, as they would have to be traversed by going right instead of left in the beginning, resulting in more elevation change compared to this route that I suggest following.
From here, simply continue toward the next pin, which is where the Hidden Dune Trail becomes much more direct, as the Hidden Dune can now be seen in the photos below.
Google Maps Directions: 37°46'21.7"N 105°31'27.1"W
This is roughly where the coordinates above lead, with the next set ascending up to the final ridgeline that leads to the summit of the Hidden Dune.
Google Maps Directions: 37°46'25.6"N 105°31'37.2"W
Once on this ridge, continue to hike toward the highest point until the summit ridge meets this ridge, which is the location of the pin linked below.
Google Maps Directions: 37°46'27.0"N 105°31'47.7"W
This is the point where the route makes the final turn toward the Hidden Dune, the highest dune on the left-hand side of the photo below.
Google Maps Directions: Hidden Dune
Hidden Dune
The Hidden Dune, along with the Star Dune, is tied as not only the highest sand dune in Great Sand Dunes National Park but also the highest in all of North America!
That being said, the heights between the two can actually change from day to day, depending on the winds, meaning that one day the Hidden Dune may be the highest and on another the Star Dune may be the highest.
In any case, I hope to one day return to the Hidden Dune at sunset, just as I have with the Star Dune many times, as remote locations in the heart of the dune field—such as this—are among the most beautiful and pristine, especially at golden hour in the evening!
Warning
Afternoon thunderstorms in high Mountain West areas, such as this, are a serious concern during the summer monsoon season.
Even if the weather forecast doesn’t predict any storms, I can tell you from personal experience that they may show up out of nowhere and can put you and your entire group in a very dangerous situation.
I say this to emphasize the importance of turning around at the first sign of lightning, thunder, or even heavy cloud buildup. However, if you ever get caught in a storm unsuspectingly, follow the steps linked below to reduce the risk of getting struck.
U.S. Forest Service: Lightning Safety Tips
More Great Sand Dune Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Great Sand Dunes National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
Almost all of the safety factors that the National Park Service focuses on are centered around the weather.
By this, I mean that the National Park Service reports extremes, such as the surface temperature of the sand dunes reaching up to 150˚F (65.6˚C) in the summer, while in the winter, the park, including the dunes, can be completely covered in snow.
For this reason, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is best visited in strategic ways, meaning that certain adventures are best for some seasons, while others are best for different times of the year.
For example, to explore the Dune Field in July, the National Park Service recommends early morning or late evening hikes only. However, this can be one of the better times of the year to head to some of the upper-elevations trails, such as Mt. Herald.
That said, Black bears are known to be found in the hills and mountains surrounding the Great Sand Dunes dune field, and while hiking in black bear territory usually presents less danger compared to grizzlies, hiking with bear spray is never a bad idea. However, it’s really up to your own discretion and comfort level.
Finally, afternoon thunderstorms in high mountain west areas, such as this, are a serious concern, especially in the dune field! For this reason, I highly recommend checking Mountain Forecast before hiking in the summer monsoon season, as this is one of the best and most reliable resources for upper elevation weather around the world.
I say this because I unfortunately got caught in a lightning storm in a remote part of the Star Dune Trail, and it was one of the scarier lightning experiences I’ve ever had, as there is quite literally nothing taller or more conductive than yourself when surrounded by nothing but sand.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Great Sand Dunes National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
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