A dry Colorado winter is spelling out a short season for Medano Creek in Great Sand Dunes National Park. The seasonal creek typically reaches peak flow in May and June, but this past Memorial Day weekend left visitors wanting with only an inch of water in the creek.
The creek depends completely on snowmelt off the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, which received only one-third of its typical snowpack this year, according to the National Park Service. Thus, the park service is forecasting Medano Creek to be less than a third of average in depth and duration this year.
The creek’s flow for 2025 was almost half of what the historical average is on May 8th, and the park service predicts the creek may dry up by mid-June.
Surge flow waves may still be present but will be too small for visitors to float.
As the creek becomes lower and slower around the second week of June, mosquitoes typically emerge. Mosquito season usually lasts 4-6 weeks when Medano Creek is low, but this year there may be fewer mosquitoes due to more rapid drying of the creek after peak flow, according to the park.
Even with less flow on Medano Creek, late spring is historically the most popular time to visit Great Sand Dunes. Visitors may experience some delays at the entrance station and may need to park in overflow areas, particularly on weekends in early June.
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