Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in November
November at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 22°F, with about 0.5" of precipitation and roughly 6" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes November a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 22°F
- Average high
- 46°F
Range across the year: 11°F to 81°F
- Precipitation
- 0.5 in
- Snowfall
- 6 in
- Daylight
- 9.9 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in November: about 11,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes November the 9th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (2.4×) and the January low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score November rates 44/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 34°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 53% of annual visitors, choosing November instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 9.9 hours of daylight in November to explore — between the 9.4-hour midwinter low and the 14.6-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 432,498 recreation visits, down 1.2% from 437,661 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 15.5%, so a November visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How November compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 60°F / 33°F | 0.9× Average | 48 Fair |
| November | 46°F / 22°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 44 Poor |
| December | 34°F / 12°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 3 Poor |
All twelve months at Great Sand Dunes, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in November 2026
The National Park Service lists these Great Sand Dunes facilities as closed during November 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Entrance Station (visitor center): closed all month (November 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027)
- Piñon Flats Campground (campground): closed all month (November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027)
Things to do at Great Sand Dunes in November
The National Park Service tags 7 Great Sand Dunes activities for fall. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hike Medano Lake and Mount Herard · 8-12 hours
- Hike Sand Creek Lakes · 10-15 hours
- 4WD Medano Pass Primitive Road · 1-3 hours
- Experience the Night · 30-300 minutes
- Explore the Dunes
- Hike Montville Nature Trail or Mosca Pass Trail · 30-240 minutes
- Sandboarding and Sand Sledding · 2-8 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
November averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 22°F at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation and roughly 6 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
November is very quiet at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 44/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. November sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical November sees about 11,000 recreation visits at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Great Sand Dunes in November
Booking a November trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live November availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Great Sand Dunes
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in November.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.