British tourists planning a visit to Colorado's spectacular Great Sand Dunes National Park are being warned about strict new parking regulations that could see them hit with fines of up to £1,200.
The popular destination, known for its towering sand dunes set against the stunning backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, has implemented a mandatory reservation system during peak hours to combat chronic overcrowding.
What You Need to Know
From May 24th through to October 22nd, all visitors arriving between 9am and 6pm must pre-book their parking slot through the official Recreation.gov website. The reservation costs just £1.20 but failing to secure one could prove extremely costly.
Park rangers are issuing citations of $125 (£100) for parking violations, with repeat offenders facing dramatically increased penalties. Serious or persistent violations could even see fines escalate to $1500 (£1200), completely ruining what should be a dream holiday.
Why the Crackdown?
The dramatic increase in visitors to America's national parks has created significant challenges. At Great Sand Dunes, limited parking capacity has led to dangerous situations with vehicles blocking emergency access roads and creating hazards for other drivers.
"The reservation system helps us ensure that all visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience," explained a park representative. "When parking lots reach capacity, which happens daily during summer, we must temporarily restrict entry until spaces become available."
Planning Your Visit
Smart travellers should book their parking reservation well in advance, particularly for weekend visits during July and August when demand is highest. The reservation system applies specifically to the main Dunes Parking Lot, which provides access to the tallest dunes in North America.
Those planning to camp overnight at the nearby Piñon Flats Campground or those with special use permits won't need additional reservations. Early birds arriving before 9am or evening visitors arriving after 6pm can also avoid the reservation requirement.
With proper planning, visitors can enjoy the incredible experience of sledding down 750-foot sand dunes without the worry of substantial fines putting a damper on their American adventure.
