Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park in May offers a unique chance to explore one of Colorado’s most striking natural wonders without the summer crowds. The towering dunes, the refreshing Medano Creek, and the surrounding landscapes create an unforgettable day trip. I recently spent a day there in May, and I want to share everything you need to know to make the most of your visit.

Traveling with my dad to Peru was an experience I will never forget. Usually, I plan every detail of my trips on my own, but this time we joined a group tour though Intrepid Travel's Peruvian Pathways, which brought a new dynamic to the adventure.

While I've spent plenty of time working in hotels, Airbnbs, coffee shops, the car, and a few hours outdoors here in there, I had yet to do a full day at a campsite. For a first outing I wanted to pick somewhere close by just in case I ran into unexpected issues. After researching a bunch of campgrounds nearby, I settled on Colorado Campground near Woodland Park, Colorado. This was just a few miles outside of Woodland Park and not far from Colorado Springs.