North Sand Hills Recreation Area Management Plan

The engagement period is now open and will be open until December 1, 2025. The feedback form can be found at the bottom of this page.

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.

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:

Feedback is being collected now through December 1st, 2025. Thank you for providing input!

Upcoming Public Events

Virtual Public Meeting: October 20, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm (RSVP: Zoom Registration Link - North Sand Hills)

In person Public Meeting: October 23, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Wattenberg Center at the Jackson County Fair Grounds (Walden, CO 80480)