A flash flood triggered by a strong thunderstorm on Tuesday, July 22, caused significant damage to Medano Pass Primitive Road, a well-known off-roading route near Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
According to park officials, the flooding made the road impassable beyond Castle Creek, prompting an immediate closure due to safety concerns.
By the next morning, damage assessments revealed major washouts and heavy debris along the route. The section between Castle Creek and Medano Pass (the park boundary) remained closed, with road crews reporting that the saturated ground was too unstable for safe repair work. Some repairs began Wednesday evening, but large portions of the road still needed time to dry before work could continue.
The closure will stay in effect until at least Friday, July 25, when park staff will reassess conditions and determine the next steps for reopening. Based on current reports, it’s likely that repair efforts will extend beyond Friday.
Despite the closure, the park’s most popular areas—accessible via paved roads—remain open and unaffected by the storm damage.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
Leave a Reply