Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve draws campers planning around one of Colorado's more unusual landscapes, and the campground options run three tiers: in-park, developed outside the boundary, and dispersed sites further afield. Pinon Flats Campground inside the park is the primary in-park option, reservable through recreation.gov with a booking window that opens months out. The Dyrt campers flag summer weekends as the tightest window, with peak dates filling quickly after reservations open. Dispersed camping near Great Sand Dunes covers the free and unreserved options on surrounding public land when the in-park window is already gone. Visit The Dyrt's Great Sand Dunes NP camping guide to find details for other campgrounds in and around Great Sand Dunes NP.
Developed campgrounds near Alamosa, about 35 miles from the park entrance, give a reliable fallback with water and restrooms. Blanca, about 20 miles out, has private campground options closer to the park. Crestone, about 30 miles away, puts you on the west side of the Sangre de Cristos with dispersed forest access and a quieter approach.
Elevation at the park runs above 8,000 feet, so nights are cold even in summer. Sand can get extremely hot by midday. Early morning is the best time on the dunes before heat and afternoon thunderstorms build. Check current creek crossing conditions before planning a medano creek crossing with a vehicle.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$20 - $80 / night
"It's a biologically diverse area in Southern Colorado, where high winds that blow through the Rockies deposit sand at the Southernmost tip . We made camping reservations about six months in advance."
"Access to dunes trails, and off road track. Dump station nearby visitor center with free air station. T-Mobile available at most sites, but good by the visitor center and primitive road access."
$20 / night
"This was our last night camping in Colorado and it was beautiful!"
"This area in Colorado is one of the most unique places I've seen in a while."
$25 - $169 / night
"It was our first time to tent camp in Colorado and it was great. Several sites to choose from. Some have views of the dunes, some are more secluded. Bathrooms were clean."
"It's slight hidden behind a bigger RV andodge campground. It was beautiful views from ANY tent site you got. It had bathroom n accessible showers if needed. Firewood. Friendly hosts and snacks."
"The Dyrt map says Mt Blanco road but Apple Maps says lake Como road. They both branch off highway 150."
"Campground Review: We chose this BLM campground because it is right outside of Great Sand Dunes National Park. There are several sites along Lake Como Road. "
"We stayed here for two weeks and every day there were new breathtaking views all around."
"We woke up early and hiked along the wetlands nature trails, catching an amazing sunrise with panoramic views over the lake, Great Sand Dunes and surrounding mountains."
"The journey begins with a hike deep into the park’s rugged terrain, where you’re surrounded by towering sand dunes, alpine forests, and sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains."
"The hike in over the dune to a camp site with all your gear is frankly not easy, but it's short distance so it's manageable."
"Close by the Sand Dunes. The showers and laundromat are pretty clean. Very cool pools and greenhouse."
"We walked in and we were like oh geez because of the children, the greasy food, and the screams. We aren’t kid haters we just were kids 15 years ago so we still can’t stand them."
"A couple of friends embarked on an overland trip in Colorado's high country. Medano Pass Primitive Road is a wellknown 4x4 trail near the Great Sand Dunes National Park near Alamosa, Colorado."
"The road starts in the Great Sand Dunes National Park, and runs over the mountain and exits on RT 69, or if you want an easy up and hard way down the mountain start off RT 69 and go to the dunes."
"of campers but the sites were very spread out. most sites had a fire pit and there was plenty of tumbleweeds to help start fires. we stayed here 2 nights when we were exploring the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve"
"Accessible to really any car that can travel on gravel roads, right off of 150/BLM access road. Close to sand dunes, a lot of people so find a spot early. Great weather and great views."
"Gorgeous 360 views and very easy to access and dispersed enough that you aren’t too close to people but there are campers near by"
"We kept driving until we found a spot that was both uphill and private, which definitely requires a vehicle with some height to it like an SUV rather than a sedan."
ScoutThis was a sweet tent camping experience. It was only $35 a night. Immaculately clean showers and facilities. Free delicious hot coffee all day long. Plenty of amenities. You can walk to restaurants! I highly recommend this place.
TravelerWe don’t repeat many campgrounds because there are so many to discover in Colorado. But have already decided this is one of our exceptions. Generally quiet, lots of trees, cooler weather, lots of variety of sites. Camp hosts are great. While not the campsite’s fault the gravel portion of the road coming up here is washboarded pretty bad in places.
TravelerGreta place to stay! Beautiful scenic campground with hookups and privacy. Only 2 camp spots so it was perfect for our 2 families and our dogs. Family is very nice that owns it and they have been so helpful! The weather is very hot and windy in June.
LegendNot a fancy place but it worked well for staying in the area a couple of nights. Some sites are huge but others are tiny and hemmed in with neighbors, so be careful when selecting. The 30-amp power poles are oddly placed near the front of sites, so you may need an extension cord. Quiet campground and area overall. Camp host was friendly and does a good job maintaining the cleanliness of the grounds and bathrooms. Bathroom and shower house is utilitarian but clean and in good working order.
GuideStayed in early Sept ‘23 and had the entire place to ourselves. I booked the wrong dates for Pinyon in the park and we had to pivot last minute and this campground was wonderful. Not much shade given the landscape, and there were sooo many ants around the tent pad that we ended up moving the tent to as far back from the epicenter of them as we could and didn’t have any issues. Incredible night sky, beautiful sunset and sunrise. Convenient access to the park as well! Could hear some of the BLM folks in the evening with how well sound carries out here, and heard some coyotes howling around dusk. Felt totally alone out there which was pretty awesome.
No check in and the signage was super minimal so for a while we definitely wondered if we were in the right spot / if we were gonna get kicked out by someone but it was all good
ScoutOne of the most beautiful sites I've ever been to and will always remember since I've been coming here since I was born!
TravelerNice location on the Arkansas River, especially if you can get one of the river sites. Heavily shaded and well off Hwy. 50 so it’s quiet. Not cheap but worth it. About a 20 minute trip to Salida.
ScoutRoads are well maintained, the reservoir is beautiful, the night sky was crystal clear with amazing views of the Milky Way. However, there were tons of mosquitoes, the wind was whipping and there were a BUNCH of people up partying late. Made it hard for us and our pup to go to sleep.
TravelerProbably 7 or 8 solid spots, quite a bit of space, close to the main road, fairly easy to get to (a few tricky rocks spots to navigate but nothing crazy). My Promaster is able to get to almost all of the spots without issue. The upper two sites would require some rocky/bumpy navigating though. Not sure if it’s simply the time of year I visited (June) but the black flys and fire ants were really annoying, and I had a mouse join me the first night. So, that part’s far from ideal. Otherwise it’s a great place to hang for a while. Strong cell service.
Camping near Great Sand Dunes National Park occurs at elevations between 7,500 and 9,000 feet, causing temperatures to fluctuate dramatically throughout the day. The San Luis Valley receives less than 10 inches of precipitation annually, creating an arid environment where insects thrive during summer months. Most campgrounds lack natural shade, requiring visitors to bring portable shelters or canopies for protection.
Sledding down dunes: Rent sandboards or sleds before entering the park. At Great Sand Dunes Oasis, "You can rent sand boards and sleds here if the weather is right. There is also a restaurant with food that was better than we expected," notes Myndi C.
Hot springs soaking: Visit Sand Dunes Recreation hot springs pool, located 15 minutes from park entrance. "The hot pool was a welcome destination after an afternoon of sliding down sand dunes and hiking back up... Cafe menu is great," shares AJ M.
Backcountry camping: Experience solitude in the dunefield with free permits (limited availability). "The Dunefield was one of the most serene and unique camping experiences we have had. Once we crossed over the day use area, it was like being in another world," explains SwitchbackKids.
Zapata Falls hike: Located 8 miles from park entrance near Zapata Falls Campground. "Pack your sandals or water shoes. The waterfall is secreted inside a mountain crevasse and you must walk the frigid mountain water in... a 30ft cascade at 9400 foot elevation," writes Dave V.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear nights offer exceptional astronomy viewing. "The stargazing is, well... stellar! In mid-summer the mosquitoes were thick but with topical agents, we were fine at dusk," reports Dave V. from Pinon Flats Campground.
Sunrise views: Early mornings provide optimal lighting for photography. "The sunrise and sunsets are beautiful here. No campground fee but you do need either a CO fishing or hunting license or CO wildlife pass. $10 a person," notes Sarah L. at Mosca Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Many campers report unique animal sightings. "We heard coyotes howling close by, owls hooting, dust devils out in the valley, infinite stars," shares Irene L. at Zapata Falls.
Free dispersed options: Public lands surrounding the park provide no-cost alternatives to established campgrounds. "Very private, beautiful scenery. Tons of spots available but hardly anyone was there. We stayed two nights. No wild life except a lizard my kids found," explains Hannah at Sacred White Shell Mountain.
Water availability: Most campgrounds lack potable water sources. "There's electric and a dump station but no water. We filled up at the Mosca pit stop about 20 minutes outside of the campground (for a donation)," advises Eat · See · RV L.
Access requirements: Some sites require special permits or passes. "Tuesday, October 4, 2022 Mosca campground; this is a Colorado state wildlife area(SWA). You will need a seasonal SWA pass. These are very easy to get for as little as 10 bucks if you are a senior or a junior," explains Butch K.
Primitive road conditions: High-clearance vehicles needed for many dispersed sites. "Definitely need 4 wheel drive and decently high clearance. I only saw Jeeps, 4 runners, and trucks. Rocky and steep at parts, it was pretty damn rough," warns Paul H. about Medano Pass Primitive Road.
Weather preparedness: Temperature extremes and sudden storms require flexible planning. "We just got back from our trip to the dunes. It was a fun experience and we will be returning in the fall once the mosquito horde has died," shares Sarah B.
Tent site selection: Choose campsites based on terrain and proximity to amenities. "Two-loop campground with a small store that sells firewood etc. I lucked into site #67 after changing plans due to inclement weather. The sites in the 60's are on the west end of the loop and have fantastic views of the dunes," recommends Judy B. at Pinon Flats Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer special features for children. "We camped here during the winter while the car camping in Great Sand Dunes national park was closed... The campground doesn't have a whole lot of trees and some of the sites are close together, but in the quieter winter season we had plenty of privacy," says Marissa K.
Insect management: Mosquitoes remain a significant issue during summer months. "July was mosquito madness. Honestly I am from the country and can deal with bugs, but being dived bombed by 30 mosquitos is intense. Be ready for battle," warns Sarah B.
Swimming alternatives: Creek flow varies seasonally. "We stayed here mid summer. We picked a perfect time because it rained in the afternoons which cooled things down nicely and kept the sand firm in the morning while we hiked," shares Tom C.
Hookup availability: Limited full-service options exist near the park. "Campsites are w electric and water and sewer hookup. also a dump station. picnic table and firepit. lots of room for big rigs. nice showers/toilets and a big sink outside to do dishes," reports Donald S. about Great Sand Dunes Oasis.
Site leveling challenges: Many sites require equipment for stabilization. "We selected this location because it got so many great reviews. I don't expect perfection in dispersed locations but, I was pretty disappointed in the quality of the established areas. They were very difficult to level our smallish travel trailer," notes John H.
Water temperature awareness: Hot spring water affects campground plumbing. "One funny thing is if you have an rv and hook up to the water, it is fed from the hot springs so the water is always very warm. Didn't get to test out our hot water heater at this location!" explains Heidi S.
Road condition information: Some routes prohibit larger vehicles. "The 12 mile trip up from the Park takes about 4 hours, yes it's that rough. AND you will stop a lot to take in the amazing views. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TAKE A TRAILER, if you do you won't make it," warns Jason L.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve?
According to TheDyrt.com, Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve offers a wide range of camping options, with 173 campgrounds and RV parks near Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve and 44 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve is Pinon Flats Campground — Great Sand Dunes National Park with a 4.4-star rating from 96 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 44 free dispersed camping spots near Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve.
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