Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

There aren’t many places where you can lay on the sand and stare at snow capped mountain peaks, but Great Sand Dunes National Park is known and loved for that kind of diversity. By far the most heart pumping experience at the park is “surfing” the dunes, but you’ll have to hike up these monsters before you can hang ten! Bring your camera along for some sweet shots of the action (or, of your friends tumbling down the dunes) and be sure to stick around to capture the inky night sky strewn with a million stars. Hiking isn’t just limited to the sand, there’s forested trails and alpine lakes within the park and lots of places to pop your tent overnight. With all of the options available at the Great Sand Dunes, it’s easy to see why even with sand in your socks, this place is so beloved.