North Sand Hills Recreation Area Management Plan

A Visitation and Future Use Survey to inform the Management Plan for the North Sand Hills Recreation Area is open until September 14, 2026. Please find the link for the form below.

We want to hear from you on the potential establishment and future management of the North Sand Hills Recreation Area (NSHRA)! Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is working with the Bureau of Land Management to consider changes to the management at North Sand Hills. CPW is seeking to understand your hopes and vision for the future of North Sand Hills, as well as any current challenges. With your feedback we can ensure the future management of NSHRA aligns with community and visitor values.

North Sand Hills Description

Colorado's only open sand dune area for OHV recreation is situated at the eastern edge of North Park at the toe of the Medicine Bow Mountain Range. North Sand Hills Recreation Area is currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management - Kremmling Field Office and provides unique riding opportunities for dirt bike, ATV, side- by-side and sand rail riders. The area also features connecting trails that lead into the State Forest State Park and adjacent U.S. Forest Service lands, all while providing a scenic backdrop of the Park and the Medicine Bow Mountain Ranges.

Planning and Engagement Goals

Future planning will:

• Serve as a guide and point of reference for future CPW staff, other partnering agencies, elected officials, and interested members of the public.

• Help inform future use and development and visitor recreation experiences.
  

• Guide management of existing natural and cultural resources.

• Provide a framework for monitoring and maintaining natural and cultural resources.

• Identify enhancement opportunities, including possible facility upgrades, new facilities, restoration and rehabilitation projects, and other important management initiatives.

• Help inform future budget allocations and annual funding requests.

What we hope to achieve through this engagement:

1. Understand current opportunities and challenges for recreation management at NSHRA.

2. Develop a long-term vision for NSHRA as a future amenity in the CPW system.

3. Build community support for CPW management of NSHRA.

What we need from you:

The initial scoping survey closed on March 1st, 2026. Thank you for providing input!

A Visitation and Future Use Survey to inform the Management Plan for the North Sand Hills Recreation Area is now open from June 2, 2026 until September 14, 2026. Please find information and the link for the form below.

Public Events

• January 21, 2026: In person Public Meeting from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Wattenberg Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Walden, CO 80480.
• August 2026: Hybrid workshop from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Wattenberg Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Walden, CO 80480.
• Labor Day Weekend 2026: CPW staff and partners will be administering in-field surveys at North Sand Hills.

Feedback Form

This survey is voluntary and you can exit at any time. Your responses will remain confidential, and we will never reveal your personal information. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. You do not have to complete the survey in one sitting, you may return to it at any time within the survey period. Thank you for your time and willingness to participate. We are looking forward to hearing from you. If you have any questions feel free to contact Izzy Petersen at isabelle.petersen@state.co.us.

Esta encuesta es voluntaria y puedes abandonarla en cualquier momento. Tus respuestas se mantendrán confidenciales y nunca revelaremos tu información personal. La encuesta debería tomar entre 15 minutos. No es necesario que la contestes de una sola vez. Puedes volver a ella en cualquier momento dentro del plazo establecido. Gracias por tu tiempo y disposición para participar. Valoramos mucho tu opinión. Si tienes alguna pregunta, no dudes en ponerte en contacto con Izzy Petersen escribiendo a isabelle.petersen@state.co.us.

North Sand Hills Visitation and Future Use Survey