Clarion Hotel Of The Rio Grande

Great Sand Dunes National Monument

by goingsolo

The Great Sand Dunes National Monument was created by winds sweeping across the San Luis valley which deposited the sand at the base of the Sangre de Cristo range on the way through the Medino and Mosca passes. The visitor's center is open 9-6 daily. There are a few exhibits and a video about how the sand got here, but the main attraction is hiking the sand dunes.

For more info, visit www.nps.gov/grsa

San Luis Valley

by valdez

"Welcome to the Land of Cool Sunshine"

The San Luis Valley stands alone in Colorado as being one of the last untouched heavenly places in the state. This is due to mainly to the gigantic mosquiteers we have in the summer and the bitter cold below zero winters. Texans swarm this area in the summer, but for the better half of the year we get to enjoy peace, tranquility, and a stress-free life unmatched by the greater cities of Denver and Colorado Springs to the north.