Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

01 The rules

Permit fact card

Permit

Required: Special Use Permit — wedding / ceremony (any size)

Application fee

$200 non-refundable administrative fee per wedding application (submit with the application)

Other fees

Costs the park incurs to process and supervise the event are reimbursed by the permittee; supervision costs may be waived at the Superintendent's discretion.

Entrance & parking

Normal entrance fees apply to all vehicles; guests are not admitted free (they pay at entry or show a pass).

Lead time

No later than 7 days before the event (last-minute requests may be accommodated, no guarantee); no weekend processing

Booking window

Weddings may be scheduled beginning January 1 of the year of the ceremony (the FAQ on the same page says up to a year in advance)

Group size

15 people on the dunefield; larger ceremonies are directed to the park Amphitheater. Limits vary by site, parking and season.

Caps & rules

Max 2 weddings per day per designated site; 2 hours maximum; sites assigned first come, first served by application date. No ceremonies in visitor centers, turnouts, parking areas, overlooks or wildlife viewing areas. No exclusive use. An arch is allowed only at the Amphitheater; amplified music is not permitted anywhere (music must stay at 60 decibels or less).

Photographer

Photographer and officiant hired by the couple are covered by the wedding permit. If they advertise ceremony services in the park and the booking comes through them, they need their own additional permit. Drones are prohibited.

Seasons

Vehicle access on unpaved roads may be restricted after rain or snow.

02 Where

2 designated ceremony sites

As listed by the agency. Numbers in brackets are the group caps it gives.

1. Dunefield (max 15)
2. Park Amphitheater (larger groups)

03 Re-check log

Notes on the sources

Sources

Where each value comes from

1. Wedding and Ceremony Permits — Great Sand Dunes (NPS), last updated May 1, 2025 ↗ Read on November 6, 2026