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Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is in the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado at an elevation of 8,175 feet. The dunes lie on the eastern edge of the valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Range. The dunefield is part of the nearly 150,000 total acres of the park and preserve that also protects alpine lakes, tundra, six peaks over 13,000 feet, ancient spruce and pine forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and wetlands. The park is part of a fragile, dynamic system that influences and sustains the tallest dunes in North America. President Herbert Hoover established the park unit as a national monument by presidential proclamation on March 17, 1932 through the Antiquities Act. The Works Progress Administration constructed the Superintendents Residence, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But otherwise, GRSA did not see a great deal of development during the New Deal. Park development did not occur in earnest until Mission 66. During this period, the NPS was able to construct a Visitor Center, the Pinon Flat Campground (88 sites), a picnic area, five comfort stations, six single family residences and a triplex, while also building or improving roads and trails through the park. The Visitor Center shows the motivation of the Western Office of Design and Construction to configure designs to corresponding regions using principles of regional modernism. Built in the Pueblo Revival style, the Visitor Center mimics adobe construction through modern materials and forms blended with traditional materials and forms seen during the CCC-era in Cecil Dotys work. Following Mission 66, Congress designated nearly 91% of the monument as wilderness in 1976, which certainly limited the parks ability to further develop visitor and administrative facilities. GRSA became a national park and preserve in 2000, which also included a transfer of land from the Rio Grande National Forest.The dunes have long stood as a landmark for travelers from ancient North Americans to Southern Ute, Jicarilla Apaches, Navajos, early explorers, gold miners, homesteaders, ranchers, farmers and migrant field workers, to you - today's park visitor.
Great Sand Dunes' wide range of natural features provides endless outdoor recreational activities. The park is perfect for kids, who love exploring the dunefield on foot or by sled. Medano Creek, at the base of the dunes, is a popular place in the summertime. Kids and adults alike love to splash in the cool water. Many kid-friendly, ranger-led activities and a junior ranger program are available. Many miles of hiking and backpacking trails lead through the park's forests and alpine terrain, including the Mosca Pass Trail, Dunes Overlook/Sand Ramp Trail and Indian Grove Trail.
Great Sand Dunes are the magnificent centerpiece of a natural system that includes high mountain peaks, sparkling streams, vast grasslands and lush forests. The campground is situated among pinon pines and sagebrush beneath the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Most sites have beautiful views of the snow-covered peaks. A wide variety of grasses and wildflowers can be found throughout the area, and mule deer are commonly seen in and around the campground.
Zapata Falls is just south of the national park off Highway 150. A short but slippery 1/2-mile hike leads to a 25-foot high cascade. Simply driving to the trailhead provides an excellent view of the entire dunefield and San Luis Valley, especially at sunrise or sunset. San Luis State Wildlife Area is located at the western edge of Great Sand Dunes National Park. It features a large natural lake popular for boating, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing and fishing.
This is not a staffed facility. Campground hosts may be available for assistance. Visitors are responsible for knowing their site number and proceeding to the correct site after 2:00 PM. Early check in is not available. A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at the campground during their reservation, and does not cancel their reservation. Because this is an unstaffed location, the site will be held for the duration of the reservation and the visitor will not receive a refund for time not spent in the site. Due to the limited number of sites in Pinon Flats Campground, please cancel or change your reservation if you can not use it, so other campers have an opportunity to stay. Rules and Reservation Policies
$80 / night
$20 / night
Located in beautiful Coaldale, Colorado, Cutty's Hayden Creek Resort has been a family tradition for over 50 years. We offer an abundance of RV and tent sites as well as cabins and other rentals. We have equipment available on-site for miniature golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, and more. Our outdoor pool is open for 2020. Meals are served in the Rec Hall on the weekends for a surcharge and we have a general store for snacks and camping supplies. WiFi is available in the lodge. If you stay with us on a Thursday or Saturday night, you can enjoy an outdoor movie that is included in your stay. Check us out on Facebook and feel free to give us a call so you can book your getaway in the mountains. We are your Oasis in the Rockies, isolated and remote so you can kick back and disconnect.
$60 - $300 / night
Alvarado Campground, located at an elevation of 9,000 ft., is a prime location for accessing easy to challenging hikes in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. The variety of trails lead to high elevation lakes, picturesque waterfalls, and a number of stunning scenic overlooks. Alvarado is designed for a range of campers, with facilities for tent, RV and equestrian campers. Pike-San Isabel National Forests include over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado's mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.
Near the campground are several trailheads that provide visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities. All trails are open for horseback riding and hiking. The Rainbow Trail is a premier ATV and motorcycle trail. The non-motorized Comanche and Venable Trails lead into the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness where waterfalls and alpine lakes may be enjoyed.
Alvarado is perched on the side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains among sweet smelling ponderosa pine, aspen, lodgepole and gambel oak trees. Some sites offer views of the Wet Mountain Valley below while others sit beside Alvarado Creek. The campground is within reach of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, which spans 226,455 acres with 60 alpine lakes, 400 miles of streams and over 400 miles of trails to explore. Large aspen stands visible in the area today are a result of fires set in the early 1900's to clear pasture land, expose minerals and produce charcoal.
Explore the Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway that takes drivers through the Wet Mountains and provides spectacular views of 22 peaks, all within the San Isabel National Forest.
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$27 / night
$28 / night
Mueller's campground has 136 campsites each with a picnic table and fire ring. There are 99 electric sites, many with tent pads and 22 basic walk-in sites in Prospector Ridge (sites 55-66) and Turkey Meadow (sites 100-109) Campgrounds. Sites 12 and 22 are handicapped designated sites. You must have a handicapped placard or license plate.
Campground Amenities The Comfort Station is open year-round. The Camper Services Building is open only in summer (Mid May - Mid October) Both buildings contain flush toilets. On-site accommodations include firewood for sale, a camper services building with coin-operated showers/laundry and modern restrooms, vault toilets, dump station and a playground.
Mueller offers three group campground opportunities nestled in the aspen and conifer forest, conveniently located near the Camper Services Building.
Winter Camping: Mid October - Mid May Mueller has 29 electrical sites available within the Peak View Campground and the Revenuers Ridge Campground (Sites 1 –9, 11-13, 15-22 and 81 – 89) during the winter. The Comfort Station, containing flush toilets, will remain open. Vault toilets will be open at Outlook Ridge, Peak View Campground and across from site #87. Water is available at the outside spigot at the Comfort Station; all other hydrants are closed, so we suggest bringing your own water. The dump station is dry dump only, which means you will not have water to rinse out your equipment.
$18.00 per night Mueller State Park has 4 backcountry campsites located in 2 separate groups. Both backcountry campsite groups require an approximate 1.5 mile hike from the Black Bear Trailhead to the sites. Sites are available to reserve from May 1 through October 31st.
$18 - $396 / night
Scout
The Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and relaxation, making it an ideal getaway for sports enthusiasts. With its expansive facilities, it perfectly complements Sportzfy TV's mission to promote active lifestyles and engage audiences in diverse sporting events. Whether you’re looking to train or unwind, this destination provides an excellent backdrop for fitness and recreation. For More: https://www.sportzfytvapks.com/
ScoutThe Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and relaxation, making it an ideal getaway for sports enthusiasts. With its expansive facilities, it perfectly complements Sportzfy TV's mission to promote active lifestyles and engage audiences in diverse sporting events. Whether you’re looking to train or unwind, this destination provides an excellent backdrop for fitness and recreation. For More: https://www.sportzfytvapks.com/
Traveler
I stayed here for 1 night of car camping and will definitely go back. I only went about 4 miles in on the rocky/rutted road (vs the 5 miles that the directions say) and thought the sites were great. I stayed at a big site on the right with beautiful views and a fire ring. Aside from hearing some (maybe - not sure) coyotes at night, I wasn't aware of any other wildlife. I was in a 4Runner and my friend that I was with was driving a Highlander. As another poster commented, I saw a small sedan in one of the sites but wouldn't drive way out in anything but an SUV or truck. I have AT&T and had 2 bars of service.
Traveler
Small park, plenty of room to relax. Trash receptacles close. Creek on the south side of park. Many pit toilet. Camp host during operation. Both times we stayed here the host was very helpful and friendly.
Traveler
The sky is GORGEOUS. The road is very rocky & very rough, so you'll want to have decent clearance and be prepared to take it slow. I've never seen so many stars!
Traveler
We went on a Saturday and it wasn’t crowded at all. The dispersed sites aren’t far from the road since most of the road goes down a valley with hills on both sides however there’s a nice creek running down the whole way. Definitely check it out if you don’t mind a colder night in a valley. Not much room to explore outside your vehicle unless you’re okay walking down the dirt road to see other sites and views.
Legend
The road is a well maintained gravel road. There are quite a few available spots for folks with 4x4 drive or tent camping. I would NOT suggest this for larger rvs. I travel in a camper van and the spots I could use were more limited but still a few available.
Honestly, just the drive is worth it. The scenery is amazing. You’re winding down the road next to a creek (was dry when I was there) in between mountains. It’s absolutely amazing.
Zero signal. Like absolutely none.
There is a rest stop a few miles in with basic toilets. Nothing special but really nice option to have.
Traveler
Close proximity to the dunes, allows you to access at night and throughout the day to experience the range of landscapes the park provides.
The camp site has flushing toilets and drinking water.
Would highly recommend if you can snag a site.
Guide
The host, Margaret and her husband and few others working very hard to maintains this campsite.
Shower room have heat and hot water, environments are so peacefully and pretty, shops are close by, hot springs, rafting, nearby, my favorites is cottonwood lake!
Scout
Couldn’t get to trail head due to private gate blocking the road.
Traveler
Was pretty busy, hard to find a spot at first but found a campsite across the stream that you cross a log on. Beautiful drive to get to.
Scout
We were charged $170 for a site in the middle of a gravel parking lot. It included dinner, breakfast and use of the hot springs. The WiFi didn’t reach us, but worked in the buffet style cafeteria-like dining area. Way overpriced for the experience!
TravelerDrove ~3 miles along the service road to find our spot, it was the second pull off “open-area” with several fire pits to choose from. Road was a little bumpy but would be fine with a 2WD. Gorgeous, secluded spot next to the creek. No Verizon service.
TravelerPretty smooth mountain road, lots of site options. We found one that was down back from the main road and near the creek. Needed 4WD to get down there, but other sites 2WD would be fine. Appears to be a local cow wandering around, she approached our campsite but went the other way.
Traveler
From Texas, got married in Colorado two years ago and came back again this year to celebrate. Absolutely love camping and hiking, staff was friendly and everything has been clean so far. Super worried at first about hiking up to campsite but they have carts donated to help carry gear. This is one of the farther tent campsites on this side of the park and we had no issues getting there. Other than a bloody nose from elevation change. Beautiful view lots of wildlife:)
Guide
Went with the family and had a great time. We got a site because of a cancellation and, unfortunately it was next to the bathroom. Didn't bother us though. It was our first trip using our new popup and it was def a learning experience. That all being said we were able to hit up Mount Princeton hot springs AND visit the St. Elmo ghost town. By the end of the trip the kids were begging to go back asap.
Guide
We had a great time. Our family and another reserved two sites next to each other. The pools on site were perfect for the kids. On site mini golf was a blast. The views in the campground were awesome. Aside from the aforementioned, there was a small store on site with ice and wood (can't bring your own wood) and the food they served at the mess hall was fire.
Guide
This place was great! We originally planned just to do a daily soak before heading to our next campsite but ended up just staying here because we enjoyed it so much. The camp sites were simple but great and you have total access to all hot springs, bathrooms, showers, sauna, AND a communal outdoor kitchen. We participated in the clothing optional experience but didn’t feel like we had to. Great people all around from guests to staff. Highly recommend!
Guide
We got a spot with amazing views just past Cottonwood Lake campground. It’s awesome here. There is a creek full of Brook Trout right across the street.
GuideBeautiful views of the dunes and the mountains! Bathrooms were super clean and convenient. Highly recommend!
Scout
My friend and I are roadtripping around a couple states and found this cute little camp site!! There is no running water or toilets but we didn’t mind :)) absolutely gorgeous place!
Travelerloved this spot even stayed a couple extra days right by nice size creek the cooler weather was nice and meant not alot of bugs. more traffic on road than expected but not bothersome. people close by but not close enough to hear or bother you in anyway. site was clean. there were more shaded ones but we chose next to water. were a couple empty close by on a holiday weekend.
Traveler
My sister drove up from Denver Saturday morning. My daughter and I drove from Paonia and met her there. Road was bumpy but manageable in my Outback. Drove down the road and took a hike with the dogs. Great trail. Rained a little but it was not a big deal. Decent amount of traffic on the road throughout the day and into the evening. Really cool to be able to snag a spot around lunchtime on a Saturday.
Guide
Stayed One night for Tent Camping, came with everything needed. Clean bathroom and showers. Great scenery and amazing night sky view.
Scout
Amazing vistas! Big private sites. Tough road that gets progressively technical as you go farther up towards trail head.
Legend
We had to change plans last minute and arrive here on short notice. They had sites to accommodate us and they were very welcoming. This was hands down the nicest privately owned rv park/campground we have ever stayed at! The bathroom suites have recently been remodeled and they are so nice! Best shower of our 10 day road trip. Nice laundry facilities, community rec room, hot tub, and even a hiking trail to the top of the mountain. Highly recommend.
Guide
believe the reviews when they say the road to get to these campsites are ROCKY. i was able to get there in my hyundai santa fe but got nervous a couple of times. despite this, we found a campsite that had a little waterfall and fast flowing creek next to it. it was the perfect little spot. got cold at night but it was to be expected. access to a lot of hiking and if you continue driving up the rocky road, you’ll get to billings lake which was gorgeous.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cotopaxi, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cotopaxi, CO is Pinon Flats Campground — Great Sand Dunes National Park with a 4.4-star rating from 89 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Cotopaxi, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 190 dog-friendly camping locations near Cotopaxi, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
