RV campgrounds near Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve offer access at elevations ranging from 7,500 to 8,200 feet, where temperatures can drop dramatically after sunset even in summer months. The San Luis Valley region experiences less than 10 inches of precipitation annually, creating arid camping conditions with minimal natural shade at most sites.
What to do
Hot springs access: Sand Dunes Recreation in Hooper features natural artesian hot springs on-site. "The pools are artesian hot springs. The pools are extremely kid friendly, and there are greenhouses with 21+ soaking and bar," notes one camper. Discount swimming is included with camping fees.
Fishing opportunities: Camping at Woods & River RV Park provides direct access to the Rio Grande River. "The fishing was awesome. The Rio Grande flows by and so do the trout. When we were there, fishing was free every 1st weekend of the month," reports a visitor who enjoyed the riverfront sites.
UFO spotting: The San Luis Valley is known for unusual phenomena. "There is also a nearby spot to look for UFOs!" mentions one camper who stayed at Sand Dunes Recreation. Several campgrounds promote stargazing and night sky viewing with minimal light pollution.
What campers like
Dishwashing stations: Great Sand Dunes Oasis provides practical amenities like dedicated dishwashing areas. "Showers were some of the best I've seen with a private dressing area and hooks/shelves to put your dry clothes on. There is a dishwashing station also," notes a reviewer who appreciated these conveniences.
Recreation facilities: Many campgrounds offer on-site activities. At Aspen Acres Campground, "The rec center has some entertainment which was a nice bonus." Another camper mentions, "They have a community room and bathhouse which we didn't use."
Natural wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities. "We spotted big horn sheep on the cliff behind us!" reports a camper at Bighorn Park. At Woods & River RV Park, visitors mention seeing "Many Many deer in the evenings for your entertainment."
What you should know
Water temperature issues: At Sand Dunes Recreation, the water system uses hot spring water. "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 one reviewer.
Transportation challenges: GPS directions can be unreliable in this rural area. At Circle the Wagons RV Park, "GPS won't get you here because 2nd Street is bisected by a creek with no bridge. I had to back my trailer a couple of blocks. Their website does contain a warning about the GPS problem, so pay attention."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise issues. At Cool Sunshine RV Park, "it is right next to the railroad tracks. The train whistle is deafening and will rattle your teeth. 5 trains came by the one night, one as late as 10 pm," reports a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Sand Dunes Recreation offers multiple attractions for children. "They have a shop that sells items needed like bathing suits and sunscreen and treats and they also rent out toys and such," notes one family. Another mentions "a basketball court, coin operated showers and laundry."
Playground features: Woods & River RV Park has "fun kids area with playground and treehouse with zip line," according to a family who stayed there. Similarly, Aspen Acres provides outdoor play options that kept children entertained throughout their stay.
Sand equipment rentals: Cool Sunshine RV Park provides convenient access to Alamosa, where families can rent sand sleds and boards. "It's 25-30 minutes from sand dunes," notes a visitor, making it a good base for park exploration without staying directly at the dunes.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Great Sand Dunes Oasis, "Lots are close together. Super close to the dunes - you get a great view of them from the campground," explains an RVer. For more spacious sites, Woods & River RV Park offers "Very long pull through sites as well as some 'hybrid' sites that aren't pull through."
Hookup positioning: At Woods & River, RVers note a peculiarity with utility placement: "Hookups are new but all seem to be placed too far up which requires you to pull your trailer to the end of the site to align hookups; otherwise you will need to run lengths of sewer and electric to connect."
Big rig accommodation: For larger motorhomes, Cool Sunshine RV Park has "pull through and back ins" with "30 50 amp" service. A reviewer notes the "nice gate coded bathroom and showers. And Laundry room!" making it suitable for extended stays in larger vehicles.
