Zapata Falls Campground
Beautiful Views!!
This was our last night camping in Colorado and it was beautiful!
165 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Valley View Hot Springs—Orient Land Trust allows pets at their campground in Moffat, featuring tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations with electric hookups, picnic tables, and drinking water. The clothing-optional campground maintains fire pits and provides firewood for purchase, with trash service and toilets available for all campers. Joyful Journey Hot Springs includes access to five hot spring tubs and pools with tent camping fees of $134 per night without hookups. Both campgrounds provide shower facilities and food service, with Joyful Journey including breakfast and dinner in the camping fee, though visitors should bring lunch and snacks.
Pet-friendly camping near Moffat also includes dispersed options for those seeking more rustic settings. Cotton Creek Trailhead offers at least ten dispersed spots with fire rings along road CC64, including three sites directly on the creek. The road is rocky and requires slow driving with decent clearance vehicles. Wildlife considerations are important when camping with pets in this region, as bears have been reported at North Crestone Creek Campground. Mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months, particularly at North Crestone and Dispersed Sand Area 1, where they've been described as horrendous despite the gorgeous mountain views and remote feeling. Nearby Crestone provides a small co-op grocery for supplies, though campers should arrive prepared as larger stores are limited in the area.
"This place used to be a tilapia farm and there's still some pools around the place with large fish."
"It was easy to travel to all the tourist destinations in the area from this location."
"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"The area was very clean and although it's right off the highway the camping spots are tucked far enough away to where it's no bother."
"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."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"I absolutely love this area of Colorado. It's breathtaking no matter which direction you look. Decent campground that was a bit too big for my taste."
"There are several hiking trails nearby. The vault toilets were right by us and we didn’t have any issues with smell, and they were the cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen."
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"The Sangre de Christo Mountains tower in the distance and on a moonlit night, they positively glow from the farthest pool."
"The RV spots are on one side of the large parking lot, with the hook up spaces in the middle, with non-electric spots running around two of the outside sides. "
from $80 / 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"The camp sites were simple but great and you have total access to all hot springs, bathrooms, showers, sauna, AND a communal outdoor kitchen."
"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"We also had 3 dogs with us and there was still enough room for them so we weren’t stepping all over one another."
"Colorado sand dunes are a trip."
"Loved hearing the creek roaring in the background and feeling the sun on my skin surrounded by cactus - an I in Texas!?"
"Easy drive, can get a little bumpy but nothing an all wheel drive can’t handle."











This was our last night camping in Colorado and it was beautiful!
Great place to camp in Colorado to avoid weekend crowds. Wide open, off the beaten path as far as Colorado goes.
Very clean, large level spots with gravel and plenty of room in between RVs. Great location, close to Salida and hiking & biking trails. Directly on the Arkansas River -- river view spots are very nice and all spots have a view of the mountains, there's a bit of road noise from nearby highway. Friendly staff, nice clubhouse with showers, pool table & fitness center, there's a small dog park and pickleball courts. Direct access to Arkansas River for kayaks and small boats (walk down to river, can't drive there). Campground internet was spotty but cell service is great so internet is very good if you have a hot spot. Highly recommended, my only complaint is there's no pool or hot tub.
This spot is one of the best kept secrets for dispersed camping in Colorado. The road has plenty of camping spots all the way up to the lake. Most spots are wooded and offer plenty of shade. We were lucky enough to end up right along the river. If you keep driving down the road, you will end up at a stunning alpine lake basin that offers plenty of hiking. High clearance vehicle is necessary to get down this road.
As of April 2026, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for all National Forest System lands, including dispersed campsites in Pike-San Isabel National Forests (Browns Creek area). That means NO open campfires are allowed in dispersed sites, even in existing rock rings. Please check all fire ban restrictions in areas where you might be camping in Colorado due to the state’s significant drought. Nationally, 85-90% of wildfires are caused by human activity. “If you light it, be prepared to fight it”.
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!
As I start this, the manager Crystal is a very polite and wanting to make your stay is comfortable. The high point of my stay.
If I was told sooner that my service dog was just considered a pet to the owners, I would have canceled my trip to here. It was three days when one of the owners made what I consider as a put down of me as well as my service dog. If I was told sooner than the three days, I would have canceled my trip all together and gladly lose only $20, instead if I canceled on that day I would have lost nearly $450.
Ask any veteran if their service dog is only a pet. For those who do not realize this, but a veteran and their service dog is just one entity. The service dog being considered a pet is like telling someone with an artificial limb if that part of the vet is a"pet". The service dog is a part of the veteran and has specific duties to that veteran and is trained to do those duties to assist the veteran.
My service dog has 8 specific jobs to help me live my life, he is never to be considered just a"pet" as I had been told. This is sent out to my brothers and sisters on just how unwanted we are going here, as well as The Lodge@ San Isabel Lake and Aspen Acres.
Realistically, all I wanted was some sort of acknowledgement that it was an honest mistake in saying that, but when there is silence that screams louder than what words could ever say.
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.
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.
Dispersed camping near Moffat, Colorado offers accessibility at elevations between 7,500 and 9,000 feet in the San Luis Valley. The area experiences dramatic temperature changes between day and night, with summer daytime highs averaging 75-85°F dropping to 45-55°F after sunset. Winter camping requires preparation for below-freezing temperatures and potential snowfall even in late spring.
Visit the UFO Watchtower: Located near Hooper, this unique attraction combines camping with stargazing. "Really cool place! Beautiful night sky. The owners are very interesting and friendly people," notes one visitor to UFO Watchtower. Camping costs $15 per night with a $5 entry fee per vehicle.
Hike to mountain lakes: Several trails near campsites provide access to alpine lakes. At Alvarado Campground, "Trail access is great too. Plenty to see and do! The night sky was amazing after the rain passed through and the clouds cleared," according to a camper at Alvarado Campground.
Sled the sand dunes: Rent equipment before entering the park to avoid lines. "Give yourself an hour to make the climb, especially if you have some little ones. Tote that snow saucer for a wild ride down the Dune, beware that speeds can get frighteningly fast...but hey, its sand," advises a visitor to Pinon Flats Campground.
Hot springs access: Multiple camping options include soaking opportunities. "We were in overflow camping and were treated to some amazing sunsets on the Sand Dunes. There are berms around the regular tent camping that limit your views. All the water on site comes out hot which was great for our chilly visit," reports a camper at Sand Dunes Recreation.
Night sky viewing: Low light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "The panoramic view from atop the Dunes were fantastic! Give yourself an hour to make the climb, especially if you have some little ones. Sunsets were captivating and colorful," notes a visitor to Pinon Flats.
Creek-side camping: Several sites offer water access for cooling off. "We just got back from our trip to the dunes. It was a fun experience and we will be returning in the fall once the mosquito horde has died. We were right next to the river towards the end of the camping spots and hiked up the backpacking trail," writes a camper at North Crestone Creek Campground.
Weather changes rapidly: Be prepared for sudden shifts. "Storms rolled in over the Dunes unannounced each day but blew in, over and out quite rapidly," notes a camper at Pinon Flats Campground.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Moffat: Most established sites welcome pets with proper leashing. "We get a weekend away for about 80 bucks for two nights and swimming, and we can bring our kids and dog....it's a winner!" shares a visitor to Sand Dunes Recreation.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be severe during summer months. "July was mosquito madness. Honestly I am from the country and can deal with bugs, but being dived bombed by 30 mosquitos (not exaggerating) is intense. Be ready for battle," warns a camper at North Crestone Creek.
Water play options: Several locations offer creek or pool access. "The Hot springs consist of a large outdoor pool and a couple of smaller pools. It's $15 to soak or half price if you camp there," mentions a visitor to Sand Dunes Recreation.
Timing considerations: Visit early in the day for sand activities. "Mid-summer, I would also encourage you not to wear open toe sandals, as the sand gets blistering hot. Reported summer temps are between 80-140 degrees," advises a camper at Pinon Flats.
Pet-friendly amenities: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Moffat provide specific pet accommodations. At Valley View Hot Springs, "This place was great! We originally planned just to do a daily soak before heading to our next campsite but ended up just staying here because we enjoyed it so much...AND a communal outdoor kitchen. We participated in the clothing optional experience but didn't feel like we had to."
Site selection importance: Research specific sites before booking. "Really look at the picture of your site before you book it. I brought a teardrop and it felt like I was kind of camping in the road (site 80.) This site would have been great for either tent campers or someone with a very large RV," notes a camper at Great Sand Dunes Oasis.
Hot water considerations: Some sites have naturally warm water supply. "One funny thing is if you have an rv and hook up to the water, it is fed from the hot springs so the water is always very warm. Didn't get to test out our hot water heater at this location!" shares a visitor to Sand Dunes Recreation.
Seasonal closures: Facilities change availability throughout year. "The roads are really rocky. The views are really pretty. It was nice to find a campsite with a shower after 2 nights without one," notes a camper at Great Sand Dunes Oasis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Moffat, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Moffat, CO is Sand Dunes Recreation with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Moffat, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 165 dog-friendly camping locations near Moffat, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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