Great Sand Dunes
National Park Animals

Mammals

Abert’s Squirrels are almost exclusively found in ponderosa pine groves of montane forests. They have long ears, similar to rabbitts, and come in a variety of colors.

American Pikas, relatives to the rabbit, live in alpine tundra and can be seen gathering grasses during the summer.

Occasionally someone will see a Badger in the park. This usually happens over the grasslands or near the entrance road.

Beavers live in the riparian areas of the park. Once in a while a beaver will actually wander across the sand dunes.

Bighorn Sheep are easily seen along Medano Pass Primitive Road and can be found throughout the sub alpine forests.

Over 2,000 Bison can be seen grazing in the grasslands.

Black Bears are found near riparian areas and are sometimes spotted near Mosca Creek off Mosca Pass Trail.

Elk prefer grassland habitat, but are often driven into mountain territory because of new developments. They are also found on tundra and in meadows. Their population is estimated to be at over 4,000 in eastern San Luis Valley.

Kangaroo Rats are the only mammals in Great Sand Dunes National Park that spend their whole lives in the main dunefield. During the night is when they are most active.

Marmots live in the sub alpine forests and alpine tundra and are often seen by hikers of mountain summits.

Mountain Lions are rarely seen in the park. They are most active during the daytime throughout the colder months and during the nighttime throughout the warmer months. Their tracks are often seen in montane woodlands and along Madano Creek.

Mule Deer are among the most common Great Sand Dunes National Park animals. It’s not uncommon to catch a glimpse of them by the entrance station, Visitor Center, or campground.

Pine Martens, large weasels, can be found in pine forests in the sub alpine or montane regions.

Pronghorns, often mistaken for antelope, spend time around the park entrance road. They prefer grasslands and can reach speeds of up to 60 MPH!

Snowshoe Hares live in sub alpine forests, but can often be overlooked due to their camouflage.

Water Shrews spend their time in wetland and riparian areas of Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Fish

The Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout can be found in the Upper Rio Grande Basinis. It is a catch and release fish.

The Rio Grande Sucker has been reintroduced into Medano Creek around the forested areas, but it is still an endangered species.

The most commonly seen bird around the shore areas of the wetlands is the American Avocet. It has thin grey legs and a black and white body. The head is pink during the summer and turns to gray in the winter. They will attack those who come close and frequently make a high pitch call.

Bald Eagles can be seen around wetlands on the west side of the park. However, the only road where they can be seen from is around the south side of the park on County Lane 6 North. Your chances of seeing a Golden Eagle in the park are much greater than for the Bald Eagle. Look out for them in the pinyon-juniper woodlands, open grasslands, and along the foothills.

Brown-Capped Rosy Finches nest each summer on alpine tundra.

Each summer Burrowing Owls use rabbit and prairie dog burrows as homes on the grasslands west of the dune field.

The wild cousin of the chicken, the Dusky Grouse, can often be seen along the Mosca Pass Trail.

Northern Pygmy Owls can be spotted near the Visitor Center in montane forests.

Peregrine Falcons can be seen in the forests of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains or in high cliffs.

In the alpine tundra is where the chicken-like Ptarmigans spend their lives. They’re a little trickier to spot since they turn white in the winter and stone colored in the summer.

Sandhill Cranes are a one of the most favored of Great Sand Dunes National Park animals. They return to the San Luis Valley each spring by the thousands. During the day they can be seen in the grasslands and in the wetlands during the night. A flock of cranes can often be seen around the southern area of the park, around County Lane 6.

Western Tanagers are commonly seen in riparian areas and around campgrounds. They are easily seen because of the males‘ bright red and yellow colorings. Keep your eyes out for these Great Sand Dunes National Park animals during the summer months.

Bullsnakes, the largest reptile in the Great Dunes, can reach up to 5 feet. Some visitors mistake them for rattlesnakes, but don’t worry, they're non-venomous. They thrive in the wetlands and sometimes venture out into the montane woodlands.

Garter Snakes prefer wetter areas around creeks but have been known to move into drier areas of the park. They pose no threat to humans but will often release an unpleasant odor when provoked.

Pleateau Lizards can be seen in the montane foothills around rocky areas with plenty of sun.

Tiger Salamanders can be found in all areas of the park. Their appearance varies from tiger stripes to a solid dark green.

A variety of Frogs and Toads can be spotted in the wetlands, including Chorus Frogs, Northern Leopard Frogs, Great Plains Toads, and Woodhouse’s Toads.

So now that you know what’s out there, get yourself out to see Great Sand Dunes National Park animals!

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