Current Road Conditions

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As of Friday, October 10th 2025

Medano Primitive Road is IMPASSIBLE for Most Vehicles at Crossing Two.

• Vehicle damage may occur as law enforcement has recovered several vehicle parts from the roadway.
• Very high clearance vehicles with 4X4, low transfer case is required by law.
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to assess their vehicle capabilities and turn around before Crossing 2 (northbound) or prior to approaching Crossing 2 (southbound).

• Any incidents occurring north of Crossing 2 will experience significant delays in law enforcement or emergency response due to the current conditions and patrol vehicle availability.
• Visitors needing assistance should contact Colorado State Patrol Dispatch at (719) 589-5807. Emergencies dial 9-1-1.
• Callers must be prepared to provide their exact location to ensure a timely response and deployment of necessary resources.

All vehicles must be four-wheel drive with low range transfer case capabilities to travel beyond the Point of No Return Parking Lot. Drivers are encourage to travel on lower tire pressure for deep sandy sections.

Forest Road 559 in Pike and San Isabel National Forest, east of Medano Pass
CheckHerewith the National Forest Service for conditions on the continuation of the road east of Great Sand Dunes National Park. The gate at Medano Pass opened for the season for entry into the park as of May 19th 2025.Currently the Forest Service website is undergoing maintenance, the link to road conditions may not be updated regularly until maintenance is completed.

Horse Trailer Parking Lot to Point of No Return –This section road is OPEN

Ponderosa Point- Several large dips in the roadway. Drive slowly to avoid tires slipping and digging further out of the dips.

The air station is operating for the 2025 season.

Planning Ahead for Sand, Water, and Rocks

• Besides current conditions, there are many other considerations when planning to drive Medano Pass Primitive Road. Your type of vehicle, its clearance, its weight, the width of your tires, and your skill and confidence driving in sand, are all variables in driving this road.

4-Wheel Drive (4WD) high-clearance vehicles with a 4L transfer case setting ARE REQUIRED on this road. All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) vehicles, mini-SUVs, wagons, and similar vehicles with lower clearance are not permitted, as they will get stuck in the deep sand or creek crossings.True 4WD vehicles have a transfer case with a 4 Low (4L) setting in the drivetrain that puts full engine power to both the front and rear axles. All-Wheel-Drive (AWD), common on vehicles such as crossover SUVs, relies on a differential to send variable power to each wheel. AWD is good on level roadbeds in low traction conditions such as snow. It is not designed to fully power the front tires in off-pavement rugged situations such as the soft sand, creek crossings, and steep sections of loose rocks of Medano Pass Primitive Road. Full size 4WD pickups or SUVs are also designed with sufficient clearance. Additions such as running boards or step bars may bog down in sand or get broken off by rocks. Heavy vehicles, or vehicles loaded with excessive gear, may also have difficulty. In the rocky sections of the road,heavy duty off road or all terrain tires are highly recommended (10 ply or greater sidewall rating) to help avoid tire failure on sharp rocky steep sections and creek crossings.

• To avoid becoming stuck, do not stop in unstable areas.

• To minimize damage to the road and your vehicle, do not spin your tires.

• Seek self-recovery as your first option if you have proper equipment.

• Always know your location to assist Law Enforcement Rangers when contacting Dispatch for assistance. Take note of signs posted along the roadway such as creek crossings and campsites.

• ATVs and UTVs are not permitted anywhere in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. All vehicles must be highway-legal in Colorado. Colorado does not recognize ATVs and most UTVs as highway-legal.

• Check thepark's weather page for the most accurate park forecasts.

• For up-to-the-minute conditions, please contact the Visitor Center at 719-378-6395.

Current Level of Medano Creek

From Great Sand Dunes, the Medano Pass Road crosses Medano Creek nine times on its way to Medano Pass. See thecurrent cubic feet per second (cfs) flow of Medano Creek(available spring through fall). Creek flow is typically highest at dawn, and lowest in late afternoon. Peak flow for an average season is about 40 cfs (cubic feet per second), typically occuring in late May and early June. The current cfs flow indicates the level of the creek relative to average peak flow of 40 cfs.

Medano Creek Information and Current Conditions

Medano Pass Driving Season

The road fully opens when weather and road conditions allow, typically in mid-to-late May.It remains fully open through the end of thefourth riflehunting season (near the end of November), as weather conditions allow.

ATVs and UTVs Prohibited

Side-by-sides, ATVs, UTVs are not permitted anywhere in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

All vehicles must be highway-legal in Colorado. Colorado does not recognize ATVs and most UTVs as highway-legal.

Overview

Map of Medano Pass Primitive Road (.jpg file, 1MB)

This is a rough 22 mile road connecting Great Sand Dunes with the Wet Mountain Valley and Colorado State Highway 69. Passable only in the warmer months and only with high-
clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles, it gives access to Medano Pass (elevation 10,040’) and Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. This road crosses areas of deep sand, traverses Medano Creek nine times, and passes through excellent habitat for bighorn sheep. Average driving time for the entire primitive road is about 2.5 - 3 hours.

Reduce tire pressure to about 20 psi if the sand is dry and soft. A free air station is available near the south entrance to the road in warmer months between the hours of 7AM and 9PM. If you reduce pressure, you will need to reinflate using your own air compressor before driving over rocks in Medano Canyon. Drive through creek crossings slowly to avoid drowning your engine.

Mileage Chart

Set your odometer to zero at the southern entrance of the primitive road to follow along with this guide.

Medano Road Camping Information

oadside camping is permitted only at 21 numbered campsites in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve beginning 5.2 miles from where the road begins near Piñon Flats Campground. These sites are indicated with a brown post and camping symbol, and are numbered by approximate road mileage from the Park/Preserve boundary to Medano Pass. Numbers in parentheses are approximate road mileage from Medano Pass down to the Preserve/Park boundary.Roadside car camping is only permitted in designated sites in the national preserve. Vehicle access to these sites is only available late spring through fall, depending onsnow, creek, and road conditions.

These designated sites are free of charge and first-come, first-served. All 21 sites fill on summer holiday weekends, and often on other summer weekends.

Camping Regulations for Medano Road Campsites

• Camping is permitted in designated, marked sites only in the national preserve. No permits are necessary.
• Tents must be located within 40 feet of the front of the bear box at each site.
• Pets must be leashed or restrained at all times.
• Fires only in existing fire rings; put out completely with water. Gather dead and down firewood 4” or less diameter.
• No off-road driving. Vehicles must be highway-legal in Colorado. Park only in designated campsites or parking areas.
• Secure food, coolers, toiletries, and trash from black bears. Lock them in the bear boxes provided at most sites.
• All trash, including orange peels, egg shells and toilet paper, must be removed. Bury human waste 6” deep.

Fat Bikes

Fat bikes (mountain bikes with extra wide tires for sand) are permitted on the Medano Pass Primitive Road, both for day use and for overnight camping in Medano Canyon. Check current sand conditions (above on this page) before riding; if sand gets too soft and dry, travel may not be possible.Bikes are not permitted off-road.

You will be sharing the road with vehicles, some traveling at higher speeds in order to make it through sandy sections. For your safety, listen and watch carefully for vehicles as you ride.

2010 Medano Fire

The road passes through some sections of forest that were burned in a 6,249 acre wildfire in 2010. Burned, standing trees may fall at any time, especially during wind. Upper sections of Medano Pass were not burned.

4WD Tours and Rentals

For visitors that do not have a 4WD vehicle but would like to experience the Medano Road, there are4WD tour and vehicle rentals available