Great Sand Dunes National Monument
Sand dunes symbolize desert environments found in many places in the world.
Western America has many wonderful sand dunes of great beauty. From the Oregon
coast to Death Valley, the Eastern Mojave Desert of California, to the richly
colored Coral Pink Sand Dunes of Southern Utah, and the Great Sand Dunes of
Colorado, each dune complex is unique.
The Great Sand Dunes carry two distinctions in addition to an absolutely
stunning setting. They are the tallest (more than 700 ft.) and the highest
altitude dunes (8200 ft.) in North America. Set at the foot of the Sangre de
Cristo Mountains of south-central Colorado, this magnificent dune complex was
set aside as a National Monument in 1932.
The Great Sand Dunes rise in a region usually know for high mountains and
canyons. Within a few hours drive almost due west, the precipitous, deep gorge
of The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park may be seen which is featured
in the
Mountains and Canyons Screen Saver. North of Black Canyon in the high
Rockies, the Maroon Bells (featured in the
Autumn Color Screen Saver) rise majestically above Maroon Lake at the end of
a scenic paved road near Aspen, Colorado. And near Grand Junction, Colorado in
the west-central part of the State, Colorado National Monument (featured in the
National Parks and Monuments Screen Saver) with its shear red-rock cliffs
and grand vistas offers a glimpse into the vast canyon country cut by the
Colorado River further west.
Link to Great Sand Dunes National Monument Home Page
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