Not Death Valley, Not Big Bend: This National Park Offers Ideal Off-Roading During Summer

Tens of millions of visitors flock to national parks in the United States during the summer months. While Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Olympic National Park are known as some of the best national parks for hiking in the country, a handful of others are suited for an off-asphalt adventure. Two of them, Death Valley in California and Big Bend in Texas, have miles of primitive trails where visitors can drive street-legal vehicles across the beautiful desert scenes — though they're scorching hot in the summers. A better (and cooler) option is climbing up to 8,000 feet at Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, where visitors can see landscapes change from sweeping sand dunes to thick forests in roughly 20 miles.

Located in southern Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a spiritual destination for Native American tribes in the Southwest and has the tallest sand dunes in the country. However, another major attraction in the park is the 22-mile-long Medano Pass Primitive Road, traversed by Zebulon Pike, the first American explorer to the region in 1806 and 1807. Visitors can follow in Pike's footsteps in their street-legal 4x4 or on a fat bike for a hair-raising adventure across one of the most unique roads in the country.

Despite being rated as "moderate" by OnX Maps and AllTrails, the rugged route runs along the isolated eastern edges of the park and is not for the faint of heart. It crosses Medano Creek nine times, crosses beach-like sands, and climbs up 10,040-foot Medano Pass to breathtaking views. The road opens to varying degrees between May and November and is only passable by higher-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles like Jeeps, trucks, and 4Runners. Smaller vehicles and regular SUVs with all-wheel drive will not make the trip.

If you're flying in to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park, you'll have several airports to choose from in the area. The closest commercial airport, San Luis Valley Airport (SLV), is about 40 minutes away, while larger airports within a few hours' drive include Colorado Springs Airport (COS), Albuquerque (ABQ), and Denver (DEN). Though rental cars are available in Alamosa and at each airport, off-road driving is normally prohibited on rental agreements. The National Park Service lists four local rental companies on its website that provide tours or rental off-road vehicles: Dunes 4x4 Limited, Mountain Master Off-Road Tours, Pathfinders 4x4, and Custer County Jeep Rentals.

If you're driving your own vehicle, past drivers on AllTrails and The Dyrt recommend having all-terrain tires, as well as an air compressor to adjust your tire pressure as needed. The National Park Service recommends reducing your tire pressure to 20 PSI to lower the chances of getting stuck in dry sand. In case you do get stuck or have a breakdown, you may find other drivers on the road, but you'll likely have no cell service and may be waiting for a long time for assistance. Be sure to bring enough food and water, and download a map from the National Park's website, AllTrails, or onX before starting your drive.

You can begin your journey on the Medano Pass Road from two places: either from the south entrance inside the national park, near Piñon Flats Campground, or from east of the park off Forest Service Road 559, which intersects with Colorado State Highway 69. If you're at all unsure about your vehicle or have questions, stop by the visitors center and ask a ranger before attempting the drive.

The unique Medano Pass Primitive Road traverses a diverse range of climates and ecosystems, including sand dunes at the western end, alpine forests in the middle, and open plains at the eastern end of the road. Some of the most treacherous parts of the road, including the sand pit and the nine creek crossings, are all within 10 miles of the south entrance of the road. East of Medano Pass, the road transforms into a series of windy, narrow switchbacks. If you need to turn around, there are campsites, picnic areas, and wider spots every few miles along the road. 

Though most drivers traverse the primitive road in a few hours, you'll likely want to take your time to soak in the sights. The route passes bighorn sheep, deer, elk, bird, and bear habitats, along with changing plant life; the deserts give way to towering pine trees, aspens, and grasslands dotted with wildflowers. Should you need a break from driving, pull off at one of the 21 free, non-reserved campsites, where you can stop and take in the views, or really stretch your legs on an 8-mile hike up the Medano Lake Trail. Like the primitive road, the campsites only have the essentials for dry camping, including shady groves at some sites, and none have toilet facilities. Car camping is allowed, and these five items from Costco will add a major upgrade to your camping trip.

Great Sand Dunes may be named after the dunes, but it has more to offer than meets the eye. Before or after your drive, don't miss out on some of the otherworldly fun and scenic stargazing at the underrated national park.