Dispersed camping options near La Veta, Colorado range from high-altitude sites at 11,000 feet to valley locations with mountain views. The semi-arid climate creates windy conditions year-round, particularly in the afternoon and evening hours at exposed sites. Seasonal temperature variations affect campground accessibility, with higher elevation locations closing during winter months.
What to do
Hiking to mountain waterfalls: Visit Zapata Falls Campground for access to waterfall hikes and scenic trails. "The waterfall is secreted inside a mountain crevase and you must walk the frigid mountain water in. Yes, your feet will go numb...but it is worth it...a 30ft cascade at 9400 foot elevation," reports Dave V.
Fishing mountain lakes: Bear Lake Campground offers trout fishing opportunities in a high-altitude setting. One camper noted, "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."
Explore mountain trails: The area surrounding La Veta features numerous trails for hikers and ATV users. A camper at North Fork Purgatiore River mentioned, "Gorgeous! Nice trail to hike as well." Many trails provide views of the Spanish Peaks and surrounding mountain landscapes.
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: The remote location away from city lights creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. At Sacred White Shell Mountain, "Dark skies there. You can see the Milky Way with the naked eye," according to one reviewer.
Riverside camping spots: Several campgrounds offer sites adjacent to running water. At North Fork Purgatiore River, a camper shared, "We stayed right next to the river. We sat by the fire and just enjoyed the sounds of the river."
Mountain wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife populations. One camper at Blue Lake Campground noted, "We did not see the moose but caught glimpses of the goats, weasels and a beaver in the water." Early morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
What you should know
High-altitude considerations: Many campgrounds sit at elevations above 9,000 feet. A camper at Blue Lake Campground reported, "Very, very cold 2 of the 4 nights and it took me a day to acclimate to the 11,000+ altitude."
Weather variability: Mountain weather changes rapidly throughout the day. "Weather moves very fast through this valley. We had snow and sunshine within a couple of hours," noted a camper at Zapata Falls Campground.
Rough access roads: Many dispersed camping areas require driving on unmaintained roads. A visitor to Zapata Falls mentioned, "The road to Zapata Falls is super rough but passenger cars shouldn't have any problem as long as you keep it slow."
Limited facilities: Most campgrounds have basic amenities. At Blue Lake, one camper noted, "No cell phone service. No water, toilets, bring your own food and water and disconnect from the internet. Pack up all your trash and take it with you."
Tips for camping with families
Consider developed campgrounds: For camping with children, Pinon Flats Campground offers more amenities. "There are 88 regular tent/RV sites divided evently between the first two lower loops and 3 group sites in the upper loop," shares a camper, making it suitable for larger family groups.
Pack for temperature swings: Mountain temperatures vary significantly between day and night. One camper noted, "Evenings were cool and we bundled up" despite daytime temperatures being much warmer.
Bring insect protection: Seasonal insects can impact camping comfort. A visitor warned, "July was mosquito madness. Honestly I am from the country and can deal with bugs, but being dived bombed by 30 mosquitos (not exagerrating) is intense."
Tips from RVers
Check campground access limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate large rigs. A camper at Great Sand Dunes Oasis reported, "Plenty of spaces when we arrived. Few RV sites that had full hookups and then gravel road to a lot more primitive spots rocky but nice."
Level sites can be limited: Finding level parking at undeveloped sites requires planning. "We went to the second area which is probably another¼ mile down the road. That area was busy as well, but we liked it better(more grass than dirt). We setup camp in the back of the area and were able to get level without blocks!"
Full hookup options: For those seeking pet friendly camping near La Veta with full amenities, Circle the Wagons RV Park provides comprehensive hookups. "Very well run Clean bath and laundry room. Large camp spots with Large shading trees. Excellent WiFi," notes Tom S.
