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Dog-Friendly Camping near La Jara, CO

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    Alamosa KOA's pet-friendly accommodations include camping cabins, tent sites, and RV spots, all with options for visitors traveling with dogs. The campground features a small dog park where pets can play off-leash, while maintaining a strict leash policy throughout the rest of the property. Cool Sunshine RV Park in nearby Alamosa offers level sites with full hookups where pets are welcome, though spaces are relatively close together. Both campgrounds provide trash facilities for pet waste disposal and grassy areas between sites at Cool Sunshine give dogs comfortable spaces to rest. Great Sand Dunes Oasis, another pet-friendly option, allows dogs in their cabin accommodations as well as tent and RV sites. Bathrooms and shower facilities remain clean and well-maintained at these locations, important for longer stays with pets. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near La Jara, Colorado.

    Hiking trails near Zapata Falls Campground provide excellent dog exercise opportunities, with leashed pets permitted on most paths. The Chicken Ranch, a highly-rated pet-friendly option, sits along a river where dogs can cool off during warmer months, though swimming areas may be seasonal depending on water levels. While camping with pets in the La Jara area, visitors should be prepared for wildlife encounters and keep dogs secure, especially at night. Train noise affects Cool Sunshine RV Park with multiple trains passing through daily, potentially disturbing sensitive pets. Sacred White Shell Mountain offers free dispersed camping where pets are allowed, providing a more primitive option for those seeking budget-friendly accommodations with their dogs. Temperatures fluctuate significantly in this region, requiring pet owners to plan for both hot days and cool nights when camping.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near La Jara (150)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Alamosa KOA

      4.3(19)17mi from La JaraRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "We showed up on a Saturday and there was rock painting and $2 ice cream for the kids right next to the playground."

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      2. Sacred White Shell Mountain

      4.6(58)26mi from La Jara

      "The best part about this area, aside from the views & the sunsets, is the access to the sand dunes natl park."

      "You’re down the road from the dunes and about 30 minutes outside Alamosa and other stores. I used the dump station at the sand dunes canoe ground. It was only $8 to fill up water and dump."

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      3. Cool Sunshine RV Park

      4.4(9)14mi from La JaraRVs, Tents

      "Green Grass between and around park. Flat gravel roads and deep camp sites there are pull through down center of park. No pool."

      "They even have an exercise room, grill area, dog area, nice covered patio areas for chillin’ 😀 We will definitely stay here again."

      from $40 - $52 / night

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      4. Zapata Falls Campground

      4.3(70)32mi from La Jara42 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This was our last night camping in Colorado and it was beautiful!"

      "I just really enjoy the layout of this campground, the nice big bear boxes, and the park ranger who has a cat in his truck sometimes when he cruises around."

      from $20 / night

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      5. Base Camp Family Campground

      4.6(8)19mi from La JaraRVs

      "This is a well maintained no thrills RV park in the desert region of Colorado. Flat and level spaces that can accommodate any size RV. Large clean laundry facility and clean restroom and showers."

      "We stayed for 4 nights and 5 days, experienced all kinds of weather, did our laundry in the super nice and clean building that housed laundry and 4 individual showers, and enjoyed the drives to Durango"

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      6. Pinon Flats Campground — Great Sand Dunes National Park

      4.4(96)41mi from La Jara90 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "Dog friendly, many families were walking theirs around the loop and nearby trails. Very pleasant site"

      from $20 - $80 / night

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      7. Aspen Glade (rio Grande National Forest, Co)

      4.5(11)22mi from La Jara31 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Great fishing access to public waters. One negative:

      • Barking (more like yelping) dogs all 3 days of our visit."

      "It’s a hidden gem of this part of Colorado. This campground has a loop by the Coñejos River and that is where we stayed. Campsite was big and they are nicely spread out."

      from $29 - $62 / night

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      8. The Chicken Ranch

      5.0(2)16mi from La JaraRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Red Lake hike was awesome and easy."

      from $20 - $65 / night

      9. Great Sand Dunes Oasis

      4.2(53)37mi from La JaraRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "The campground is very close to the entrance to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the campground has a great view of the sand dunes as well. "

      from $25 - $169 / night

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      10. Mosca Campground

      3.8(25)30mi from La JaraRVs, Tents

      "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."

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    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near La Jara, CO

    122 Photos of 150 La Jara Campgrounds

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near La Jara, CO

    928 Reviews of 150 La Jara Campgrounds

    • Anna R.
      Sep. 1, 2018

      Zapata Falls Campground

      Beautiful Views!!

      This was our last night camping in Colorado and it was beautiful!

    • Kara D.
      Jul. 29, 2019

      Alamosa KOA

      What you expect...

      Clean 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!

    • MThe Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 17, 2024

      Questa Lodge & RV Resort

      Beautiful grounds

      Stayed in spot R1 which is pretty small/crowded in, but near river and trees. Lovely duck and geese ponds and river walk, also dog park. Clean restrooms and showers but no changing stalls in either mens/womens shower. Very quiet and affordable. Near to grocery. Grounds are well-kept and healthy & green (lots of trees, shrubs, beautiful walk by river). Sorry pics are a bit washed out, doesn't do it justice.

    • Christa A.
      Jul. 20, 2020

      Rio Costilla Park

      So spacious!

      This is the first campground I’ve found in New Mexico where I felt like I was camping in Colorado, it was so green and beautiful! The camp sites were nicely spaced, so we felt like we were primitive camping, but it was nice to have a picnic table, especially because we have a small child. Family friendly. We wish we would have brought our 4x4 vehicle because we had initially planned to camp at little blue lake, but my Subaru Impreza was not powerful enough/didn’t have high enough clearance to make it up the road that lead to the lake! We are definitely planning on camping back to check out the lakes. The only negative thing was that we found some trash at our site from the previous campers. Also, some cows woke us up early in the morning, which was cool, but also scared the shit out of us!

    • Casey W.
      Jul. 17, 2018

      Great Sand Dunes Oasis

      Amazing stay with views of the Dunes!

      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.

    • Jason L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 20, 2019

      Mosca Campground

      Amazing views

      We stayed here for two weeks and every day there were new breathtaking views all around. You feel as if you are walking the top of the world when exploring the area, the entire San Luis Valley gives this feeling. The lake is beautiful and has a beautiful view of the Great Sand Dunes National Park to the north and Mt. Blanca to the east. Camping is by permit, so stop anywhere you can get a Colorado hunting or fishing license and get a State wildlife area permit, they're $43 per person, but if you're age 18-64 you're required to have an SWA permit to camp in Colorado State wildlife areas. The permit is good from April 1st through March 31st of each year, and yes they are yearly permits, so try to get them in April. The campground has electric hookups, but no water. So pack in your water, vault toilets on loops B and C, RV dump station, and dumpster at exit of campground areas. You can stay 14 days every 45 days. Zapata falls nearby is a MUST visit and there is a pay to camp campground there. Cell service is spotty for Verizon, not sure about other carriers.

    • J
      Jun. 18, 2021

      Woods & River RV Park

      Beautiful setting on Rio Grande River with walking trails and large RV spot

      WE LOVED OUR TRIP TO THIS RV PARK.  NESTLED ON THE RIO GRANDE RIVER AND PLENTY OF LARGE COTTONWOOD TREES PROVIDING SHADE AND A REPRIEVE FROM THE WARM AFTERNOON SUN.  LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM DEL NORTE WITH SHOPS AND DELICIOUS MICRO BREWERY AND MICRO BAKERY (WHICH OPENED THE DAY WE ARRIVED).  HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FOR FAMILIES AND PETS.

      PLAYGROUND FOR KIDS HAS A FUN ZIPLINE AND LOTS OF TRAILS TO WALK THE DOGS.

    • Craig & Linda L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 21, 2022

      Cool Sunshine RV Park

      Great campground

      We should have arrived and checked in by 3:30pm. But had a lack of gas issue. Passed up $5.90 stop. Has the range to go the 19 mile to next station for $4.78. But did not figure in the Frigging HEAD WIND, Went from 11 mpg to 3 and 4 mpg. Was 1.5 miles short. OnStar dispatch with in 5 minutes of our stop. 2.5 hr later back on Road. During down time call Cool Sunshine RV park to tell them we were still coming. Said sorry for our delay but gave us our spot no# C15, gate code to open gate. Had our welcome packet taped to office door with all others info about park. They said they were going to run my card for rest of our stay. Green Grass between and around park. Flat gravel roads and deep camp sites there are pull through down center of park. No pool. But two horse shoes puts, corn holes boards, some game called GA-GA pit. Like Dodge ball, but all in circle. Small finced dog park. Nice gate coded bathroom and showers. And Laundry room!

    • Jason L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 21, 2019

      Blanca RV Park

      Cool little place

      Would give five stars, but right on the main road through the San Luis Valley so it's a little loud, and bright at night. That said, it's still peaceful, and the people are nice. Has shower and laundry for guests, and full hookups for RVs. It's $30 per night or $199 a week, we stayed two days, and would stay again. They allow pets, but have a strict "no pit bulls" dog policy. So unless your "pit bull" is a service dog, they can't stay. Unfortunately dog breeds and temperaments are still misunderstood, but that aside, good people, and nice little place to stay.

    Guide to La Jara

    The San Luis Valley surrounding La Jara, Colorado sits at an elevation of around 7,500 feet, creating dramatic temperature swings between day and night throughout the camping season. Winter camping isn't recommended for most visitors as temperatures regularly drop below freezing, though hardy campers can find year-round options. The region's high desert terrain features a mix of juniper forests and sagebrush flats with minimal shade at many campsites.

    What to do

    Hike to mountain lakes: Access trailheads near Aspen Glade Campground for moderate to difficult hikes. "Red Lake hike was awesome and easy," reports Jennifer T., who camped at The Chicken Ranch close to similar trails.

    Fly fishing adventures: The Conejos River offers excellent trout fishing for all skill levels. "If you like fly fishing this is the place to come! Fishing in the Conejos river is spectacular. Beautiful, quiet and fish are big!" notes Rebeca H. who visited Aspen Glade.

    Stargazing opportunities: The lack of light pollution makes this area ideal for night sky viewing. "Dark skies there. You can see the Milky Way with the naked eye," writes one reviewer about Sacred White Shell Mountain, while another visitor at Mosca Campground appreciated "incredible sunsets over the Great Sand Dunes."

    Morning wildlife viewing: Early risers can spot local wildlife including elk, deer and numerous bird species. "We heard coyotes howling close by, owls hooting, dust devils out in the valley, infinite stars," describes Irene L. about her experience at Zapata Falls Campground.

    What campers like

    Private riverside sites: Aspen Glade Campground offers spacious sites along the Conejos River. "Very nice campground. Lots of shade and lots of space between sites. Fishing along the river within the campground," reports Angelica B.

    Free dispersed camping: Budget-conscious campers appreciate Sacred White Shell Mountain for its accessibility. "This dispersed camping is top notch. Nice sites with amazing views. A little windy but that's to be expected near the dunes," writes Griffen J.

    Well-maintained facilities: Despite remote locations, many campgrounds maintain clean facilities. "The camp host is super friendly and does a good job upkeeping the grounds," notes Gina J. about Zapata Falls, while another camper appreciated that "bathrooms were fantastic" at Great Sand Dunes Oasis.

    Electrical hookups: Some campgrounds offer unexpected amenities. "The shelters and fire pits are nothing compared to the free electric hookup," writes Patti T. about Mosca Campground, making it popular for those needing power without full RV services.

    What you should know

    Access road conditions: Several campgrounds have challenging approach roads. At Zapata Falls Campground, "The road up to camp is long and rocky," explains Madeline H., while another camper notes "It takes an easy 20-30 minutes of driving just to go 3ish miles."

    Weather preparation: The San Luis Valley experiences rapid weather changes. "Weather moves very fast through this valley. We had snow and sunshine within a couple of hours," reports Ursula about her stay at Mosca Campground.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near La Jara, CO?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near La Jara, CO is Alamosa KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near La Jara, CO?

    TheDyrt.com has all 150 dog-friendly camping locations near La Jara, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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