154 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
"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."
"Green Grass between and around park. Flat gravel roads and deep camp sites there are pull through down center of park. No pool."
"Back in spaces are close to each other. Pull throughs have more room between spaces. There is a train track right next to park that a train blew horn startled me at 1:00 am on the second night."
from $40 - $52 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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"
"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"There is also some cactus here and there so keep an eye on your pets. Overall, we've really enjoyed our stay here and appreciate the beautiful views!"
"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."
"Red Lake hike was awesome and easy."
from $20 - $65 / 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."
"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
Check Availability
GuideRoad is paved but can see some wear and will get more bumpy. Be prepared for the incline to get to camp sites. Road rough in spots in campground. We are 50’ with our tow. We stayed in 22 and see this view…
TravelerI came a day earlier to Ojo Caliente and needed a place to stay. This is just 10 minutes drive from the Hot Spring. A lot of camp spots available, all Free, Forest Road. Not the cleanest spots but also not too bad. A lot of broken glass which is hard to remove. Amazing stargazing at night. This road could be tricky after a big rain – there was a big groove in the middle of the road when I was here.
TravelerGreat camp with several trails starting there. Set back from the dunes by a short trail, but that gets you away from the crowd at the main parking area.
Go barefoot on the sand!
GuideLimited review due to rains. Nice area for quiet camping or for access to wilderness areas, hiking. Taos and Red River are 1/2 hour away for touristy stuff. During heavy rains river did not leave its banks. Sites are tight, best ones are by the river. Nice walking path by river but noticed many dog walkers not picking up after their dogs. Clean bathroom and laundry facilities. Some septic drains too high to drain properly, should be fixed. Had to move in order to dump tanks.
ScoutLovely tree lined campground on the Rio Grande. Surrounded by pine trees and aspens. Each RV site has full hookups, fire ring, picnic table. Nice, clean, bath house with showers. There are also cute covered wagon “cabins” and one cabin. We stayed in a RV site along the river. Owners very nice and welcoming.
GuideThis easy to miss spot is a free camping area near the ranger station. The road to get to the sites is probably only a couple hundred meters from the ranger station so slow down if you are going West on 64 and turn around if you reach the station going East on 64.
The actual camping spots are towards the very end of the road where they form a sort of triangle. There are three picnic tables with what look like fire rings. But there is a lot of open space around those three tables if they happen to be taken by any chance. I did notice that most boondockers would just park their vehicles on the side of the road along the way. So basically the entire area seems to be available for boondocking. There are no trash cans, water, more vault toilets. It's packed everything out. There are a couple of vault toilets at the ranger station and you can actually walk from the campsite area because there are trails that lead to the ranger station.
Very pretty area. Very quiet. Few vehicles on the nearby road.
TravelerAll the campgrounds in the wild rivers area are very well maintained, the sites have sturdy pavilions, picnic tables and grills. Sites are nicely spaced and some have amazing canyon views. Vault-style toilets that are kept clean and stocked. Bring your own water, their "well is broken" as of Oct. 2026, so if you run out you're looking at a 20 mile drive round trip to buy a couple gallons at the local grocery store.
RangerWow, I really love this place. And also certain spots have a great view of the San Luis valley along with the Western side of the sangria de cristos It is quiet but I did see 1 or 2 motorcycles. But not many, the road was very decent. We have a twenty five foot mercedes sprinter camper and made it no problem.
TravelerFree, clean, pit toilet quite, greate view all around.
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.
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.
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.
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 4.4-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near La Jara, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 154 dog-friendly camping locations near La Jara, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
