Colorado park closures & advisories

National Park Service

East Portal Road is temporarily closed due to intermittent weather conditions and ongoing forecasts. The road is closed to all traffic, including pedestrians and bicyclists. The closure will remain in effect until the area is safe for public access.

Updated Sep 14, 2026

National Park Service

East Portal Road is temporarily closed due to intermittent weather conditions and ongoing forecasts. The road is closed to all traffic, including pedestrians and bicyclists. The closure will remain in effect until the area is safe for public access.

Updated Sep 14, 2026

National Park Service

Make sure to take weather into consideration when visiting. Carry water and use sunscreen to reduce the risk of heat injuries during your visit.

Updated Mar 24, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Cyanotoxins are currently present in the Iola Basin. Until further notice, the park recommends that no person or pet swims in, or drinks from, reservoir waters in the Iola Basin. Cyanotoxins may be present in the Cebolla and Sapinero Basins. Use caution when fishing, boating, or recreating in Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Updated Sep 2, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Significant amounts of rain have caused mudslides, road damage, and flash flood danger. All of the unpaved roads in the monument are closed or impassable. Paved roads can also be impacted where even small amounts of mud on the road surface cause extremely slippery driving conditions. Slow down and approach debris or mu…

Updated Sep 17, 2026

National Park Service

Currently, there is no visitor center for Amache National Historic Site. There is a museum in the town of Granada that is operated by Amache Preservation Society. Learn more at amache.org

Updated Mar 18, 2024Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Cell phone voice and data coverage is very limited in the park and surrounding area.

Updated Aug 8, 2023

National Park Service

Entry into the reconstructed fort is limited to the central plaza on scheduled days. For your safety respect all closures and restrictions. Guided tours provide access into additional areas.

Updated Nov 25, 2025Official notice ↗

National Park Service

A 1/4 mile (1,275 feet) walk on a paved trail from the parking area is required to reach the gate of the fort. At the end of your visit, you'll return to your vehicle along the same path.

Updated Nov 24, 2025Official notice ↗

National Park Service

If you see a dead bat or a bat acting strangely at the fort, please do not touch or move it. Report the location of the animal to park staff.

Updated May 28, 2026

National Park Service

Regularly scheduled guided tours provide access into furnished rooms and explore the fort’s role in Westward Expansion and the reconstruction of the fort in 1976.

Updated Dec 1, 2025Official notice ↗

National Park Service

The design of the reconstructed fort fails to meet accessibility, fire, and life-safety requirements of 1976. A lack of code compliant components such as emergency lighting, illuminated exit signage, panic hardware on doors, and outwardly swinging exit doors results in a limitation of 49 occupants for visitor operation…

Updated Nov 25, 2025Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Black Canyon's operations are now cashless. South Rim Campground is by reservation only via Recreation.gov. East Portal & North Rim campground sites are first-come first-served and accept payment using Scan & Pay through Recreation.gov's mobile app.

Updated Apr 15, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle. Fireworks and wood fires are always prohibited. Charcoal fires only allowed in designated grills. Visit our Fire Safety page for more info.

Updated Sep 4, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Until further notice, the following are prohibited in all park areas: (1) Building, maintaining, attending, or using wood or charcoal fires anywhere but within campground- or picnic area-provided grills or grates. (The use of gas grills and camp stoves is permitted.) (2) Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed…

Updated Sep 16, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Winter Operating Hours in effect September 14, 2026: the visitor center is open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Updated Sep 8, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Entrance fees and pass purchases must be made with a credit/debit card or payment app on a mobile device. Electronic payment reduces transaction times, saves money, and improves accountability.

Updated Dec 28, 2023

National Park Service

Sand boarding and sand sled rentals are located in local communities surrounding the park. Visitors are encouraged to arrange rentals BEFORE coming to the park.

Updated Dec 22, 2025Official notice ↗

National Park Service

As of August 18th, Great Sand Dunes is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. All wood and charcoal fires must be in established fire rings in designated campsites or picnic sites. No other open fires are allowed. Fires MUST BE put out COLD before leaving your site and must not be left unattended. camp stoves and other press…

Updated Aug 22, 2026

National Park Service

Due to the need for improvements in Piñon Flats Campground, sites can be reserved 3 months in advance beginning in 2026.

Updated Sep 10, 2025

National Park Service

Speed limits for the park include 30 MPH near the park boundary and Great Sand Dunes Sign, and as low as 10 MPH near the Headquarters and Entrance Station. Speed limits are in place to protect park visitors, pedestrians, and wildlife in the park. Please drive carefully and responsibly.

Updated Feb 17, 2026

National Park Service

The voicemail for the main park phone line (970-562-4282) is not functioning reliably. People are advised to call during business hours in order to speak with a ranger.

Updated Jan 22, 2026

National Park Service

The park now accepts only mobile or electronic payments for entrance & camping fees. You can reserve campsites and buy entrance passes on Recreation.gov, or only use debit/credit cards to pay in person.

Updated Jul 3, 2024Official notice ↗

National Park Service

Road work will begin on the first four miles of the Main Park Road during the week of September 20 - 26. Expect delays up to 15 minutes. Far View Sites and Cedar Tree Tower are closed for road improvements. Wetherill Mesa Road has compacted gravel for 30 feet; motorcycles should take extra caution on this road.

Updated Sep 17, 2026Official notice ↗

National Park Service

All visitor Services are available at the Historic Site, 23 miles northeast of Eads, Colorado. The Center for Sand Creek Massacre Studies located in Eads, Colorado is available for appointment only research requests.

Updated Nov 24, 2025Official notice ↗

National Park Service

In order to reach the Sand Creek Massacre Site, visitors must travel on at least 8 miles of unpaved roads. We are not able to guarantee road conditions of county roads 54 or W after spring storms.

Updated Nov 24, 2025Official notice ↗