General Management Plan and Wilderness Study

Great Sand Dunes National Monument was established in 1932 to preserve lands containing spectacular and unique sand dunes and additional features of scenic, scientific, and educational interest for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of 2000 enlarged Great Sand Dunes National Monument from 39,000 acres to over 100,000 acres, and also established Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, which exceeds 40,000 acres. The purpose of the 2000 legislation was to protect the entire Great Sand Dunes natural system.

The draft GMP, wilderness study, and environmental impact statement for the park and preserve describes and analyzes four alternatives for managing the Great Sand Dunes for the next 15 to 20 years. This plan will help NPS staff make decisions about managing cultural and natural resources, visitation, and facilities. Issues addressed by the plan relate to protection of fundamental park resources and values, management of new park lands, public access, crowding/overuse, wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, and development and uses in and around the park. As part of the planning effort, the NPS is conducting a wilderness study to determine whether any areas within the expanded Great Sand Dunes boundary should be proposed as designated wilderness.

Contact Information

Art Hutchinson
Superintendent
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
11500 Highway 150
Mosca, CO 81146
e-mail: grsa_superintendent@nps.gov