Tent campsites near Antonito, Colorado offer wilderness camping opportunities in the high-altitude desert landscape of the San Luis Valley, sitting at elevations between 7,800 and 8,500 feet. The region experiences significant temperature variations with summer daytime highs reaching 85°F while nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F even in July. Strong afternoon winds frequently affect camping conditions throughout the region, particularly at exposed sites.
What to do
Mountain hiking trails: Elk Creek Trail provides access to multiple backcountry hiking opportunities with creekside paths. A recent visitor noted, "Plenty of room. Two vault toilets were clean plenty if TP. Lots of trails, bridge over creek, lakes are near by foot."
Fishing opportunities: Dispersed campsites near Sanchez Stabilization Reservoir offer lake access for anglers. The reservoir contains trout and provides cement picnic tables for comfortable fishing breaks. As one camper observed, "Clean washrooms. Cement picnic tables. About 4 nice camping sites around the lake."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk are prime times to spot wildlife at primitive tent sites throughout the region. Campers at Rabbit Hole Ranch report seeing swift foxes in the early morning hours. One visitor shared, "We saw some swift foxes one morning as well."
What campers like
Dark night skies: The remote tent camping areas provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. Great Sand Dunes Dispersed camping areas deliver unobstructed celestial views. A reviewer described the experience: "The sunset was gorgeous and once the night hit, thousands of stars lit up the night sky and it felt surreal, almost as if they were raining down on us."
Solitude and space: Campers appreciate the well-separated sites at many primitive campgrounds. At Upper Lagunitas Campground, there's "Very quiet, remote campground with space between sites. Best for tents."
Natural surroundings: Many tent sites feature distinctive natural features not found elsewhere. Visitors to Los Pinos enjoy "Dispersed, no-reservation camping in Carson National Forest. Toilets + tables."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many tent camping areas require high-clearance vehicles or careful driving. At Great Sand Dunes Dispersed, "The road to the third and farthest site became too rocky for some cars and horses to continue on, but my AWD SUV did great."
Fire regulations: Always check current fire restrictions before your trip. Regulations vary by location and season. At The Chicken Ranch, fires are allowed but must be fully contained. The property requires that "RV (Must be fully self contained. NO hookups! No size limit on rig) or sleep at the huge River Front site with furnished 13 x 13 bell tent."
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations are extreme in this high desert environment. Pack accordingly for both hot days and cold nights. One camper at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed warned, "The temperature almost went down to freezing at night in early June, so be prepared with layers for both hot and cold desert conditions."
Water availability: Most tent camping locations near Antonito lack drinking water. Visitors should plan to carry sufficient water supplies for their entire stay.
Tips for camping with families
Protected camping spots: Look for tent sites with natural windbreaks to ensure a comfortable family experience. At Rabbit Hole Ranch, "We had a nice flat area to park our pop up. We enjoyed the spot for a quiet place to camp with our family."
Wildlife education: The diverse ecosystem provides learning opportunities about desert ecology. Children can observe native species including "mountain blue birds, tiger beetles, circus beetles, hover flies, common flies, plateau fence lizards, snake holes, pocket mice, deer droppings, prickly pear cactus."
Alternative sleeping arrangements: Consider glamping options for more comfortable family camping. The Chicken Ranch offers "several different lodging accommodations for you. Set up your tent close to the river, or pull your RV or sleep at the huge River Front site with furnished 13 x 13 bell tent."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers should carefully evaluate campground descriptions before attempting access. A reviewer at Los Pinos cautioned, "Ok for small campers but I wouldn't take anything too big as the spaces are small and it is very tight to maneuver."
Wind exposure: RVs face significant wind challenges in this region. Position vehicles to minimize wind impact when possible. At Sanchez Stabilization Reservoir, one RVer reported, "Quiet windy. The van is rocking around. Hold onto your car doors when you open them."
Leveling challenges: Many tent campsites near Antonito aren't designed for larger rigs. A camper with a trailer at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed noted, "They were very difficult to level our smallish travel trailer and perhaps that is the problem. We were one of very few travel trailers on this road."
