Dunes Parking Lot to Campground Connector Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Be ready for soft, sandy footing. This is the only "challenge" you will face on this otherwise easy trail.

This short trail is a great way to run along the base of the dunes without having to get your feet wet in Medano Creek. While the soil is still sandy, you are traversing along what is equivalent to the "bank"of the river and will be heading through stands of narrow-leaf cottonwoods and other sand sheet vegetation.

From this trail, there are a variety of access points to head out on the dunes and run along the creek or start running up the dunes themselves. Or if you would prefer to stay on firmer ground, you can connect to the Dunes Access from Campground Trail and climb back up to the foothills for a longer run.

Mostly grasses, shrubs, and cacti such as rabbitbrush, prickly pear, and yucca. Depending on the time of year, you may see Prairie sunflowers which are common in late summer in the park's grasslands, and also grow on the dunes themselves.

Elk, deer, pronghorn antelope, rabbits, coyotes, kangaroo rats, bullsnakes, short-horned lizards, and a variety of birds such as hawks and vesper sparrows.