For those who want to experience La Jara, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. Glamping near La Jara is especially popular among campers who enjoy beds and electricity. The Dyrt makes it easy to find glamping near La Jara.
$25 - $169 / night
Nestled between the breathtaking San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains at 7,550 feet, the San Luis Valley is your gateway to adventure. This KOA is near the golden ridges of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, where you can hike dunes up to 750 feet tall. It's also at the base of Colorado's fourth tallest mountain, 14,345-foot Blanca Peak.
Ponderosa Campground is located at the northwest end of the Soap Creek Arm of Blue Mesa Reservoir. 28 tent and medium sized RV sites can be accommodated at Ponderosa. All sites are first-come first-served.
Note: During dry conditions, the first 7 miles of Soap Creek Road are passable to trailers and RVs. Rain can make the Soap Creek Road hazardous or impassable.
$20 - $65 / night
$15 / night
Columbine Campground is located between Questa and Red River, New Mexico. The Red River flows past the campground and a trailhead leads into the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness area. Columbine Campground sits at 7,900 feet in elevation.
The Columbine Twining hiking trail can be found at the south end of the campground and gives access to 14 miles of hiking trails, and leads into the Columbin-Hondo Wilderness area. The Red River runs near the campground and can be accessed near the first loop.
The campground is composed of two loops. One small loop at the campground entrance, has all open sites and views of the towering mountains. The other is a long loop up the canyon along the fast-flowing Columbine Creek. The campsites in this loop are tucked in among pine, spruce and some aspen providing ample shade and good privacy between campsites.
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
Be sure to explore Red River, Questa, and the Enchanted Circle while in the area.
$22 / night
Bear Lake Campground is located in the beautiful San Isabel National Forest at an elevation of 10,480 ft. Views of the nearby Culebra Range Mountains with aspen and spruce forests offer campers a genuine Colorado experience.
Indian Trail #1300 begins at the north end of the campground providing direct access to a 23 mile multi-user trail system available for all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, foot and horse. A quieter well marked trail system between Bear Lake and Blue Lake is open to foot and horse traffic.
A tributary of the Cuchara River runs through the campground. Bear Lake is 1/8 mile from the campground, and Blue Lake is one mile away. Both of these small lakes are stocked several times during the summer providing for good fishing.
The nearby mountain town of Cuchara offers shopping and visitor information. The town of La Veta offers a grocery store, gas stations, and shops. The Spanish Peaks Wilderness, 15 miles from the campground, is a popular hiking destination.
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.
$25 / night
$29 - $42 / night
Traveler
We loved this camp site! 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. Very spacious tent site with a fire pit. Our tent sleeps 6 and we had no trouble fitting in the spot.
Guide
Nestled next to the Rio Grande River hand its gorgeous. This is the Rio Grande in Colorado so there's plenty of running water for tubing, rafting and fishing.
Guide
This spot is surrounded by beautiful Colorado mountains! The wind was very strong in June, if you use a canopy, try to use some strap tiedowns so your canopy frame does not bend. Very dusty and dry air, but very peaceful!
Guide
Super easy to access, very nice staff & good amenities. I pitched my tent four one night here. Tent sites are spacious & have a privacy fence between them. All wood burning fires are currently prohibited in Colorado, but there are fire pits for when they're not. I met a couple with an RV that make this camp a part of any trip this direction. They pointed out that even full this camp is still a gem.
Scout
Beautiful place in Southern Colorado. It is a busy (small), very pretty campground Southern CO (not all spots are shaded). Great Hosts with clean vault toilets. Lots of hiking trails and the lake (which is very pretty).
No phone reception (YEAH)... and a bit off beaten path. Close to La Veta and Cuchara.
Definitely a go back Campground.
TravelerThe views driving up from the main road are absolutely stunning. I was here when the leaves were changing in the fall and I’m not sure there are many places in Colorado more beautiful than up here. The lake is pristine and clear and you can see every trout in the lake. The fishing was fantastic and the campsites were well situated and quiet. Highly recommend.
Ranger
The website listed for this campground is correct Ponderosa campground Antonito, CO.
Phone 719.376.5857
This is a very relaxing place to stay and it seems like most of the people there have been there many times before. The drive in is easy on Route 17 and does not require a vehicle with high ground clearance. They do allow campfires, they have clean bathrooms and a shower house. I stayed in a backpacking tent after driving all day arriving on a Friday at about 4:00 PM. The campground is set-up for small campers and has some cabins for rent too. The bathrooms with showers are clean and comfortable. The sites have fire rings with grates and picnic tables. The owner manager is great, providing quality fishing advice, conversation and even a free cup of coffee in the morning. Hiking on the CDT is near the campground and fishing is right in the campground. The steam train is right up the pass and I happened to be there the night before opening day catching a photo when I drove over the pass to Chama New Mexico. The Cumbres and Toltec Train traveling between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. This is a very nice drive and Chama is a cool place to visit, it is a trail town on the CDT.
I will visit this campground again for sure.
LegendThis campsite run by the National Forest Service is about two hours drive west of Trinidad Colorado and about 45 minutes from the small town of La Veta. The site is accessed off of scenic highway 12. You drive about 5 miles up a step dirt and gravel road with multiple switchback to reach near lake. This is the sister camp to blue lake campground about 1 mile down the mountain road. Bear lake is a beautiful mountain fishing lake at about 11,000 feet altitude. The site is very popular for families in the summer looking for great camping and even better fishing. The lake is full of trout and many campers were hitting their 4 fish limit. The site has better views of the mountain peaks than blue lake. The campsites have some privacy depending on the site. This place is very popular and reservations are a must in the summer months. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and ample parking for two cars or a van. They have great trails for hiking and ATVs here and campers frequently run into bears. So you need to prepare and take the necessary precautions. The site is also popular for ATVs. So would will need to prepare for vehicles running through the camp.
Guide
Views are amazing! Very quiet and the star gazing is some of the best. Stayed right on the water. Host was knowledgeable of area and things to do. Red Lake hike was awesome and easy.
TravelerThey were super responsive to all our questions! It was a beautiful property along the river. Definitely recommend camping here!
GuideThis was our first time staying at a KOA and it had really nice views of the mountains. We got the upgraded 100’ Mountain View site and it was pretty nice. The only problem is the road and site can get really muddy after rain/snow and the sites are backed up to a field with some old equipment and houses in it. The views make it worth the 4 stars!
TravelerThe staff really make this place five stars. So sweet and helpful and welcoming! Amenities are fine, pool was closed during our post-labor day visit. Store is well stocked and they have a pizza shop on site that can be delivered to your campsite. Really good pizza!! The sites are typical KOA- fairly close but well kept and level. Some highway noise, worth it to reserve a “view site” because they’re farthest from the road and bigger. A+ experience!
Guidevery nice people! and they make you pizza and deliver it to your campsite ☺️
wi-fi laundromat water/electric hook-up pull through sites! showers totally flat terrain easy to maneuver
Check out Great Sand Dunes NP!
don’t worry- just a tornado warning no twisters touched down 😅
on that note i felt safe 💛✨
ScoutThis campground has everything you need. Trash pick up, firewood delivery pick nick tables and fire rings at every site. There is a well stocked store with ice, propane, firewood etc. We showed up on a Saturday and there was rock painting and $2 ice cream for the kids right next to the playground. If you want a quieter site however be sure to request something AWAY from the playground! It’s pretty noisy with the kids. Staff is great, views are good and the Sand Dunes are 1/2 hr away. Oh, they have free WiFi and hot showers as well. Kinda deluxe.
ScoutThis is not my type of camping and it is my first time staying at a KOA. If resort camping is your thing this one is clean, has showers, and pancake breakfast on Saturdays.
TravelerWe enjoyed our stay. The park is in a convenient area with a cozy atmosphere.
GuideBasic KOA, but the staff was very friendly and helpful. We had a cabin and electric RV site. The cabin was bare- no AC or TV.
GuideNice campground with friendly staff. Great Sand Dunes National Park only 30 minutes away. Perfect central location for several day trips.
RangerLet me start by saying that I'm not a huge fan of the KOA campgrounds, so take my star rating with a grain of salt. Having said that, this is a cute little campground.
We were towards the back of the campsites, but there is really nothing out there to block your view. It is WIDE OPEN, let me tell you. Only a short drive from Great Sand Dunes NP, we found the location to be ideal plus we got some late night pizza ordered up which is saying a lot out there.
Staff was very helpful and the guests were even nicer. I'd have no problem going back to this site. I'd try for the National Park first, but this one was just fine. Amenities were better than most NP or SP's I've visited since, but again that is a trade-off for being closer to the action.
Oh, and bring your Elmer Fudd accent. This place is overrun with rabbits. Not a bad animal as far as infestations go.
GuideStayed two nights, staff and guests were very friendly. Would stay again, although it is a little pricey it was worth it.
ScoutJust stayed one night to explore the area and do some stargazing at Great Sand Dunes and visit Zapota Falls. Bathrooms were very clean, staff was friendly, and they have wifi.
ScoutAll the best KOA amenities. Love it.
TravelerClean camp, nice amenities. Dog park is a little small, but is nice to have a place for dogs. Pool was very nice. Was disappointed in our tent site as it was all gravel with brush behind us. Pics online showed nice grassy tent sites with big trees. We had dogs with us, and it sucked to only have gravel for them to sit/lie on at our site. Otherwise, friendly place!
GuideThe staff was very friendly and helpful. We stayed in a cabin and initially only booked for one night but decided to stay another.
Campground is well maintained, clean restrooms and showers, a yard game area, and a nice pool.
The cabin was clean and had electricity!
They also had a nice playground for the kids. Walking around the campground had some great views.
This area is a must visit! The Great Sand Dunes National park is unique and unlike any other. My kids and I had a wonderful experience!!! Highly recommend.
RangerStaff very helpful. Not much privacy, tent sites kinda wide open. Killer views of the San Luis mountains just past my fingertips.
LegendThe Alamosa KOA was chosen by our family because we like to have the option for swimming at the end of a hard day of play in the National Parks. We made our reservation for our site in March, a mere three months before our mid-week, June 7 arrival.
This KOA has a nice sized heated, outdoor pool with reasonable hours, closing around 8:00 PM. The pool temperature was warm enough for even the adults to slip right into it. There is also a fantastic playground with updated equipment, including an elevated tunnel system that ends with safety slides. When you have a small child who loves to play, especially a special needs child, this is a big deal! Other amenities include showers and laundry facilities (we did not use either but they looked nice). Wi-Fi is advertised, and the signal is available, but was not even fast or reliable enough to load photos from Instagram or Twitter. Streaming would be out of the question, but it would probably suffice for checking email.
One of the more unique benefits offered at this KOA include on-site Hunt Brothers Pizza and breadsticks. Not only can you get hot, fresh pizza here, made to order, but they will deliver it to your site! In addition, they deliver wood and ice. This site also offers a weekend pancake breakfast (seasonal).
The RV sites were leveled very well, and they have both 30-amp and 50-amp sites available. There are small shade trees scattered throughout the camping area, but they are still quite young and small. I read some previous reviews that felt the sites were too close together. Although there was little privacy, we have certainly had less room between sites than we had in Alamosa. Perhaps with slide-outs it might be more compact, but our little Starcraft fit in just fine. In addition to RV sites, there are tent sites and camping cabins available.
Our take-away from Alamosa KOA: The view from the campsite and the kindness and helpfulness of the hosts, the Martin family, make this a return-trip campground for sure! Any questions for us about this site? Leave them in the comments below!
GuideStunning spot, lots of tent sites, room for maybe 12 campers of modest length, mine is 26' spot #9 is prime for a camper with a driver side slide/kitchen table. unknown if it's seasonal but the biting flies, primarily deer flies are beyond bearable, I survived 4 days, most other campers left after one night. The camp host is very friendly, and knows the best fishing holes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near La Jara, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near La Jara, CO is Great Sand Dunes Oasis with a 4.2-star rating from 53 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near La Jara, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 glamping camping locations near La Jara, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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