Medano Lake Backpackers Camp — Great Sand Dunes National Preserve

Medano Lake Backpackers Camp is a primitive backcountry site with no developed amenities. As a true wilderness camping experience, there are no facilities such as bathrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, or potable water. Campers must be fully self-sufficient, bringing all necessary supplies including water purification methods for using lake water. This campground follows backcountry regulations requiring proper waste disposal (pack it in, pack it out) and adherence to Leave No Trace principles. Permits may be required for overnight stays.

Medano Lake Backpackers Camp is located high in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve at approximately 10,500 feet elevation. It's accessed via a steep backcountry trail that begins at the Medano Pass Primitive Road trailhead. The campground is situated near Medano Lake but not directly adjacent to it - campsites are positioned to the right of the lake in designated areas to protect the fragile alpine environment. The hike to reach this remote backcountry campground involves a continuous steep incline from the trailhead.

The main trail accessing Medano Lake Backpackers Camp is the Medano Lake Trail, a challenging path with continuous steep elevation gain totaling around 10,500 feet. The trail takes approximately 5 hours to hike with a full backpack. From the campground, hikers can explore the alpine terrain surrounding Medano Lake, with potential for day hikes to nearby peaks and ridgelines in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The area offers spectacular high-country scenery with views of the dunes below, making the difficult ascent worthwhile for experienced hikers.