Great Sand Dunes began a visitor center remodeling project in early August to renovate the public restrooms, the lobby, and interior exhibit space in preparation for new exhibits to be installed in early 2023. As the park prepares for the next phase of the project, the visitor center will have closures during the weeks of September 19 and September 26.
Starting Monday, September 19 to Wednesday, September 21, the visitor center parking lot, and visitor center will be closed. Visitors will not be able to access this area to allow the delivery and construction of the temporary trailer and for staff to prepare to move into the temporary trailer. The entrance station will provide park literature and the park passport stamp. Flush toilets and water fill-up stations are available at the dunes parking lot. Access to the Sand Sheet Loop interpretive trail can be accessed by hiking a ½ mile from the Mosca Creek Picnic Area. Normal operations will resume inside the visitor center on Thursday morning at 9am.
The following week from Monday, September 26 to Wednesday, September 28, the visitor center will be closed but the lobby and visitor center parking lot will be opened. This closure will allow park rangers and Western National Parks Association employees the ability to physically move items into the temporary space. The lobby will have the passport stamp and park literature. Visitors are also able to access the Sand Sheet Loop interpretive trail and portable toilets. The visitor center restrooms remain closed but flush toilets and water fill-up stations are available at the dunes parking lot. Parking will be limited to make room for the temporary trailer and visitors are asked to mind the speed limit when traveling through the parking lot.
Starting on Thursday, September 29, park rangers and Western National Parks Association employees anticipate operating out of the temporary trailer. The temporary visitor center hours are 9am-12pm and 1pm to 4:30pm. Visitors can purchase limited merchandise from the Western National Parks Association store, pick up park maps and visitor guides, stamp their passport book, or view a few temporary exhibits on display. The temporary visitor center will also provide a sneak peak of the upcoming exhibits that will be installed in 2023. The visitor center will open the newly remodeled restrooms in early October.
Staff will continue to monitor phones during these closures to provide updates to visitors and answer trip planning questions. These dates may change due to unforeseen circumstances but park rangers will continue to update visitors as soon as possible. Visitors are encouraged to check the park website, call the visitor center, or follow the park’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) for the most up to date information.
Great Sand Dunes asks visitors to be patient and understanding through this process. If phases are completed early or are delayed, the park will keep visitors updated on how to access facilities via the park website and social media channels. This project is made possible by visitor fee dollars.
Jeff
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