This is absolutely beautiful. We crossed the lake on the shuttle boat, and hiked up to Inspiration point. The hike up was beside rushing waters and through the greenest forest. The air just feels so clean. Get there as early as you can if you want to beat the rush of people and have it more to yourself. Once you reach Inspiration Point, the view is gorgeous. Lots of people just turn around at this point and hike back down, but hike a little farther back into Cascade Canyon and the crowds drop off. Ever since I've been here, I just cannot forget this particular place. It's really that special.
This is one of the most beautiful places and I'm completely in love with this park. We were there over July 4th and it was pretty crowded. We wanted to do the hike to Bear Lake, but the shuttles were full and the wait times were so long. Still, there were plenty of other trails to hike and things to see and now I have a reason to go back!
So much fun here! We rented a sandboard and a sled and stayed out until it was completely dark. I see other suggestions about bringing goggles and I wish I had done that! The sand kept blowing into my eyes which was miserable. We stayed in a camping cabin at the Great Sand Dunes Oasis, but I would probably just tent camp next time.
LOVE this hike! We made reservations through the NPS as soon as they were available to make sure we got tickets. If you don't get them through the NPS, the price for a private guide is a lot more expensive. We were there in July and the temperatures were in the 100's. We did this hike in the afternoon and it was actually much cooler once we got down in the canyon. I was actually glad we went in the afternoon. Take water and a camera, but take as little as possible. If I were to go again, I would take a camelback so I didn't have to deal with water bottles. It is moderately strenuous. You do have to jump across some ledges and scramble up some rocks, but the ranger is there to help if needed. I am very afraid of heights and never had any issues.
This is absolutely beautiful. We crossed the lake on the shuttle boat, and hiked up to Inspiration point. The hike up was beside rushing waters and through the greenest forest. The air just feels so clean. Get there as early as you can if you want to beat the rush of people and have it more to yourself. Once you reach Inspiration Point, the view is gorgeous. Lots of people just turn around at this point and hike back down, but hike a little farther back into Cascade Canyon and the crowds drop off. Ever since I've been here, I just cannot forget this particular place. It's really that special.
The park is beautiful. We stayed in the Bluebell cabins and they were really nice. We were in cabin #15 and it was right by a bathroom. You do need to bring your own sleeping bags or sheets. Driving around the park, we saw a bunch of wildlife. We stopped and watched a stampede of buffalo come running through the park across the road. The burros are great. Don't forget to bring something for them to eat. The park is in a great location to see all the sights around... Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Iron Mountain Rd, and so much more.