I don’t love giving money to the government, but if I have to fork over some cash to any branch, I would without doubt select the National Park Service.

One of my travel ambitions is to visit all of the (currently) 59 National Parks in the US.

Everything in me wanted another shot at Mt. Elbert. The weather was fantastic. But I decided to rest for a day and take a drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park (CO). Great decision!

Great Sand Dunes is the highest beach in North America and also hosts the highest sand dune in North America at a whopping 732 feet from base to peak. You are free to climb (or sand board) wherever you want.

I decided summiting the highest Sand Dune was a good substitute for the highest point in Colorado… at least for now.

Cool park! I highly recommend a visit (though a day is plenty). The most fun part is bombing full speed down a giant sand dune. I recommend gaiters or high boots to keep the sand out of your shoes… and you definitely need trekking poles to help you bounce. No joke, I felt like I was running on another planet!