About:

↪ Get Directions

SEASONAL NOTE: While access to the area is open year-round, the Sandy Beach Fee Booth is only open seasonally. Normal operating season is Memorial Day through Labor Day.

WATER LEVEL NOTE: Due to significant, seasonal shifts in the reservoir’s water level, sites closer to the water in both Dune and Willow Campgrounds may become inaccessible in April, May and/or June, due to flooding. In July and August, water access moves farther and farther away from the campgrounds as the water level recedes. It is not uncommon to have a ¼ mile of beach between the campgrounds and the water in August.

Amenities:  Electric (at select sites), Drinking Water, Vault Toilets (7), Group Campsites, Day Use Group Shelters, Fee Booth and Canister, ADA accessible camping pads (7)

Sandy Beach is a large, white-sand beach on the eastern side of the reservoir. The beach provides a spectacular view of the reservoir, and Laramie Peak to the west. The wide open sand and gradually sloping shoreline give plentiful opportunities for swimming and water recreation, which makes Sandy Beach one of our park’s most popular summer destinations.  Campsites at Sandy Beach are divided into two campgrounds: Sandy Beach Dune and Sandy Beach Willow. There is a fee booth at the entrance to these campgrounds as well. To access Sandy Beach, follow the standard directions to access the Glendo State Park Main Fee Booth. However, once you are headed south on Glendo Park Road, follow it past the main fee booth and over the dam. After you have crossed the dam, stay on Glendo Park Road for another 8.5 miles, until you see the large sign for Sandy Beach. Turn left, following the signage until you see the Sandy Beach fee booth; go through the booth entrance to access either Dune or Willow Campgrounds.

Dune

ACCESS NOTE: sites 1423 through 1456 are fully on a sand dune. As such, we recommend that only guests with smaller camping units and 4wheel drive attempt to access these sites.

Dune Campground consists of the southern portion of Sandy Beach, and can be accessed by turning left as you enter the campground through the fee booth. The campground itself is situated half underneath the canopy of a large cottonwood grove which lines the lake shore, and half outside of that grove, slightly further from the lake. All sites except 1466 and 1467 are within a reasonably walkable distance of the beach, though there is plentiful day use parking close to the beach, if you prefer to drive from your site. Dune has 67 campsites, which vary in level of development. Sites 1-19, 1457, and 1458 are electrical sites, all with established camping pads and very little shade. Sites 1420, 1459, 1460, 1461 and 1464 through 1467 are group rings. All group rings, EXCEPTING site 1459 are equipped with electrical hookups for three camping units. Sites 1426-1427, 1435 – 1437, and 1440-1451 are TENT ONLY sites. Sites 1421 through 1458 are down on the sand, and largely have at least partial shade. The Dune Shelter is a large group shelter on the south end of the campground, which is available for reservation. There are also three smaller shelters nearby which are available on a first-come-first-served basis. There is access to the mountain bike trails near Dune Shelter.

Willow

CAMPSITES 1522-1570 ARE AVAILABLE FOR CAMPING ONLY ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. CAMPING IS ALLOWED AT DESIGNATED SITES ONLY.

ACCESS NOTE: sites 1522 through 1570 are situated in deep sand. As such, we recommend that only guests with smaller camping units and 4wheel drive vehicles attempt to access these sites.

Willow campground comprises the northern portion of Sandy Beach, and is accessed by turning right as you enter the campground through the fee booth. The campsites are essentially divided into two areas: sites 1501 – 1521 have established camping pads, and are primarily back-in sites, which nestle up against a cottonwood grove. Sites 1522 through 1570 are all down in the trees and on the sand, with varying amounts of shade. Sites 1523-1527, and 1565-1570 are TENT ONLY. The Willow Shelter is a large group shelter on the north side of the campground, which is available for reservation.

<< Find Out About Another Campground