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#9 on this list
Mount Rainier National Park
Washington
Lower trails clear; glaciers gleam on clear days.
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#10 on this list
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Colorado
Medano Creek flows at the dunes' base — a seasonal beach in the mountains.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Mount Rainier National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Elevation Range | 1,880 feet to 14,411 feet at the summit | 7,520 to 13,604 feet |
| Road Status | Paradise corridor open; Sunrise typically closed until July | — |
| Primary Hazard | Snow bridges, rapid snowmelt, and sudden whiteouts | — |
| Timed Entry | Required for Nisqually and Sunrise corridors in daytime | — |
| Camping Access | Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh open for reservations | — |
| Wilderness Permits | Mandatory year-round for all overnight backcountry stays | — |
| Location | — | San Luis Valley, Southern Colorado |
| Managing Agency | — | National Park Service |
| Peak Surface Temp | — | Up to 150°F (65°C) on open sand in June |
| Primary Waterway | — | Medano Creek (seasonal surge flow) |
| Backcountry Permits | — | Required via Recreation.gov |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Mount Rainier National Park
- Peak waterfall flow fed by massive early-season glacial and snow melt
- Lower valley trails and old-growth groves are fully snow-free and quiet
- Prime mountaineering window with solid early-season snow bridges on glaciers
- Significantly smaller trail crowds than during the peak July and August rush
- Subalpine trails including Skyline remain buried under deep, slushy snowpack
- Sunrise road and eastern alpine visitor centers are generally closed until July
- Timed-entry reservation system requires strict advance planning for entry
Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Rare convergence of snowmelt surge-flow creek and towering dunes
- Pristine night sky visibility inside a certified Dark Sky Park
- Open backcountry dune camping without rigid campsite assignments
- Diverse terrain ranging from sage flats to alpine summits
- Midday sand surface temperatures easily exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit
- High winds generate abrasive, blinding sandstorms with zero cover
- Creek flow diminishes rapidly alongside biting insect spikes by late June
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