SAND DUNES — Great Sand Dunes has planned a list of events in July through September that will welcome authors, artists, and photographers. All events are free of charge. Entrance fees into the park are $15 per vehicle and valid for seven days.

July

Summer events kick off with a book signing and presentation at the visitor center on Saturday, July 22 at 2 p.m. Author Veronica Tiller will present on the culture and history of the Jicarilla Apaches, including their contributions to Colorado history. Her book, “Images of America: The Jicarilla Apache of Dulce,” chronicles the 1887-2000 history of the Jicarilla Apache through pictorial history. She is also the author of “Jicarilla Apache Tribe: A History and The Culture and Customs of the Jicarilla Apache.” Shortly after her presentation, join her for a book signing at the visitor center. Both books are available at the Western National Parks Association store in the visitor center, 8:30a.m. to 5 p.m.

August

• This year, Great Sand Dunes will celebrate Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, August 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities will take place at the Dunes Parking Area with an orientation table and face painting at the South Ramada Picnic Area in the Mosca Creek picnic area. Activities will allow Junior Rangers to learn more about park resources and earn prizes. Collect a sticker after completing each activity and pick up your prizes at the South Ramada picnic area. This event is made possible with generous support from Friends of the Dunes and the staff and volunteers at Great Sand Dunes.

• David Boye will perform a free one-hour concert at the outdoor amphitheater on Saturday, August 12, at 7 p.m. David Boye has been a Composer-in-Residence at numerous national parks, writing and performing nature-inspired acoustic guitar music.

• Author, Michelle Rodenburg, will be available on Saturday, August 19, from 12-2p.m. for a book signing of her children’s books, “Colorado Creatures, an Alphabet book” and “The Twelve Days of summer in Colorado.” Michelle is a well-established Colorado author whose books make reading fun as well as educational for children. Both books are available at the Western National Parks Association store in the visitor center, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Author and photographer Robert Castellino will be signing copies of his book, “Life and Light on the Land” on Saturday, August 26 from 12-2 p.m. at the visitor center. Among his many photographic accomplishments, he is most highly regarded for writing, photographing and publishing five photographic story and guide books entitled “Boulder: Heart and Soul, People, and Place,” and “Colorado: Heart and Soul,” to name a few. His book is available at the Western National Parks Association store in the visitor center, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

September

• Marilyn Feather will lead a wilderness photography workshop on Saturday, September 9 (location and TBD), focusing on the wild, natural character of the park and preserve. Marilyn has been a resident artist at a wide variety of national parks and wilderness areas, and her work has been exhibited nationally. The workshop is free but there is limited space available, call the visitor center at 719-378-6395 to reserve a spot.

• On Saturday, September 30 at 7 p.m., William Probeck will lead a 1.5-hour smart phone photography workshop, specifically focusing on the phone’s capabilities to take surprisingly high-quality images. The workshop is free but there is limited space available, call the visitor center at 719-378-6395 to reserve a spot.

Ongoing

Free afternoon and evening ranger programs will be offered from July to October, Friday through Sunday at various park locations. Each interactive program is designed to connect visitors to resources within Great Sand Dunes in hopes of inspiring further discovery and exploration in national park units within the National Park System.

Afternoon programs or afternoon hikes will educate park visitors on topics of history, prehistory, and the biological wonders of the park. Evening programs and night hikes will educate visitors on the significance of experiencing darkness and quiet in Great Sand Dunes. Some evening programs will conclude with a telescope viewing to enhance the visitors’ appreciation of dark skies and celestial objects in national parks.

Check the park website at www.nps.gov/grsa, or call the visitor center at 719-378-6395 for a full schedule of ranger programs, including start times and locations. The visitor center is open, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily through the summer and fall.

For more information on programs and special events at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, visit www.nps.gov/grsa or call the visitor center at 719-378-6399.