MOSCA – With the enactment of the continuing resolution, staff at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve resumed regular winter operations on Saturday, January 26.

Great Sand Dunes’ employees are happy to be back at work, serving the American people and welcoming visitors to their national park. Great Sand Dunes would like to thank the San Luis Valley community for their support, encouragement, and advocacy during this challenging period.

“While we are still assessing the impacts of the shutdown, we are happy to announce that problems with trash, sanitation, or other issues were minimal at Great Sand Dunes in large part because our visitors were conscientious and helped care for the park while they were here,” states Superintendent Pam Rice. “We thank the community for your offers to volunteer during the lapse in appropriations and for supporting park staff in countless ways that helped us make ends meet and endure this trying time.”

Great Sand Dunes encourages visitors to stop by the visitor center from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week to watch the park film, view exhibits, talk with a helpful ranger, and browse the great selection of items in the Western National Parks Association (WNPA) store. During the winter, the Medano Pass Primitive Road continues to be closed beginning at Castle Creek picnic area until snow melts and the road is passable again. Pinon Flats Campground remains closed through April 2. The park is open 24 hours, seven days a week.

Please visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/grsa for a list of upcoming events, road conditions, and park alerts.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees who care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at http://www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.