To feel like you are on another planet without leaving this one, plan a stop at Great Sand Dunes National Park.

This magnificent and fun destination was the third stop of our Colorado summer vacation.

Some related posts:

Stop 1: Mesa Verde National Park

Stop 2: Durango

The 4 books I read on vacation!

Great Sand Dunes can be experienced in one day but I would recommend staying in the area overnight because the weather is so volatile it is good to have some extra time.

For example, when we arrived late afternoon it was raining with an impending storm and it rained all night, but we did get a few hours in the next day before we were chased out by another storm, which come so quickly in this area. Also if it is not raining, the sand will get really hot so you probably want to be there during late evening or early morning.

This is #1 of a 3-part travel series on my family’s summer vacation, on which I also read 4 books!

Mesa Verde National Park is a lesser visited national park, which was fine by me with some of the other national parks getting slammed with visitors this summer.

Located in Southwest Colorado, Mesa Verde -also a World Heritage site – is the only U.S. national park that focuses on culture; its lands include hundreds of cliff dwellings where the Pueblo people made their homes hundreds of years ago. Many of these dwellings can be viewed and even walked through. It is incredible to think of the skill and construction that went into these and especially because the dwellings have lasted so long.

This park also has jaw dropping views but the dwellings and other historical artifacts provided something “extra” especially for my kids who can only appreciate scenery for so long.

Prior to visiting, I was confused about how to approach this park, so hopefully I can explain some things here to help you maximize your own trip if you decide to go – and you should!