The San Luis Valley region around La Veta, Colorado sits at elevations between 7,000-8,000 feet, creating dramatic temperature swings that tent campers should prepare for. Tent camping near La Veta offers access to both mountain terrain and unique desert landscapes including the nearby sand dunes. Several dispersed areas require high-clearance vehicles due to unmaintained access roads and sandy conditions.
What to do
Night sky viewing: The Dunefield at Great Sand Dunes National Park provides exceptional stargazing opportunities for backcountry tent campers. "We hiked in around 5/5:30pm at the end of the heat and were set up eating dinner around 8pm. Took a lot of breaks hiking in and went through a lot of water. In total we brought about a gallon of water each, and by the time we hiked out the next morning we were down to the last couple of ounces," explains a camper about managing water in this waterless environment.
Wildlife watching: Primitive camping at Rabbit Hole Ranch offers chances to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat. "We saw some swift foxes one morning as well. There is limited cell service at the site and getting to it and it can even be a little difficult to determine where the sites are in the daylight," a visitor notes about this remote location.
Meteor shower viewing: Several sites near La Veta are ideal for astronomical events. "My girlfriend and I came here to watch the Perseid meteor shower and it did not disappoint. We had the place to ourselves and a great view of the stars," shares a visitor to Hummingbird Ranch, noting the combination of dark skies and open terrain.
What campers like
Easy national park access: The dispersed camping areas provide cost-effective alternatives to staying within park boundaries. "Found easily and down road from Great Sand Dunes NP & Medano Creek. BLM (dispersed) spot off Mt Blanca Rd, was quiet and peaceful. Was surprised how many other campers were enjoying nearby sites. Plenty of room to enjoy site without feeling crowded," reports a visitor at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed.
Secluded tent sites: Many campers value the privacy offered by less-developed areas. "We kept driving until we found a spot that was both uphill and private, which definitely requires a vehicle with some height to it like an SUV rather than a sedan. The road to the third and farthest site became too rocky for some cars and horses to continue on, but my AWD SUV did great," explains a camper at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed.
Clean facilities: Even at primitive sites, visitors appreciate well-maintained bathrooms. "Clean bathrooms. Site 2 where we stayed had a covered shelter with picnic table," notes a visitor to Davenport Campground, highlighting the combination of rustic camping with basic amenities.
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many dispersed sites require appropriate transportation. "We did not drive up very far because it was getting late. So we did not make it up into the brush, maybe it is better further up... Basically you are camping in an open field," notes a reviewer about accessibility challenges at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed.
Wind conditions: Strong winds frequently affect tent camping in this region. "Clean washrooms. Cement picnic tables. About 4 nice camping sites around the lake. Quiet windy. The van is rocking around. Hold onto your car doors when you open them," warns a visitor to Sanchez Stabilization Reservoir.
Water planning: Most remote sites lack water sources. "No potable water so be sure to bring your own. Vault Toilet was clean and well stocked," a camper at Davenport Campground advises, emphasizing the need to carry sufficient water supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Sheltered sites: Look for campsites with overhead protection. "Designated tent spots. Some spaces have a shelter with table. Outhouses are clean. Fire pits are built and work great. Trail right off campgrounds is an easy, beautiful hike," notes a family at Davenport Campground.
Wildlife education: The area provides natural learning opportunities. "In our camp spot we saw mountain blue birds, tiger beetles, circus beetles, hover flies, common flies, plateau fence lizards, snake holes, pocket mice, deer droppings, prickly pear cactus (we prepared grilled nopales), and pinyon pine trees," documents a camper at Rabbit Hole Ranch, listing potential nature study subjects.
Temperature preparation: Pack for both hot days and cold nights. "The temperature almost went down to freezing at night in early June, so be prepared with layers for both hot and cold desert conditions," advises a camper, highlighting the dramatic temperature fluctuations at these elevations.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Many tent camping areas near La Veta have restricted vehicle access. "We selected this location because it got so many great reviews. I don't expect perfection in dispersed locations but, I was pretty disappointed in the quality of the established areas. They were very difficult to level our smallish travel trailer and perhaps that is the problem," notes an RV owner at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed.
Leveling challenges: Dispersed sites often require experience to set up properly. "The road does get pretty rough eventually, and we didn't trust our minivan going through the 'unmaintained' section, we turned around and were able to find a connecting side road that had plenty of open space out there," explains another visitor regarding road conditions and alternative access routes.
