Best Campgrounds near Monte Vista, CO

Campgrounds near Monte Vista, Colorado range from developed sites to primitive dispersed camping across the San Luis Valley. The region includes established campgrounds like Sand Dunes Recreation with cabin accommodations and Woods & River RV Park along the Rio Grande River, both within 30 miles of Monte Vista. Public lands surrounding the area support tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and primitive camping options, particularly near Great Sand Dunes National Park. Several campgrounds feature riverside locations with mountain views, while others provide access to hiking trails and natural attractions like Zapata Falls.

Road conditions and seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this high-elevation region. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with several closing during winter months. "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," noted one visitor about Mosca Campground. Elevation in the area ranges from approximately 7,500 to 8,500 feet, resulting in cool nights even during summer months. Travelers should be aware of potential high winds, particularly near the sand dunes area. Campground amenities vary widely, with some offering full hookups while others provide only basic facilities like vault toilets and fire rings.

Campers report high satisfaction with sites offering views of the Great Sand Dunes and mountain ranges. Water access represents a significant draw, with several campgrounds positioned along the Rio Grande River providing fishing and recreational opportunities. A visitor commented that "the campground has the feel of spacious seclusion and is very cool and shady," referring to a site along the South Fork of the Rio Grande. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, with many campers noting diverse bird species and occasional larger mammals. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, from tent sites to RV pads with hookups. Developed campgrounds typically offer amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while dispersed camping areas provide more primitive experiences with fewer facilities but greater solitude.

Best Camping Sites Near Monte Vista, Colorado (202)

    1. Woods & River RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Del Norte, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 657-4530

    "Great place in an awesome location! Stayed for 3 months beginning of 2020 and had a great time! The host is always checking to make sure your stay is everything g you need!"

    "Beautiful grounds along the Rio Grande River with trail and gazebos for a very relaxing and restful stay!"

    2. Sand Dunes Recreation

    28 Reviews
    Mosca, CO
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 378-2807

    "Close by the Sand Dunes. The showers and laundromat are pretty clean. Very cool pools and greenhouse."

    "We walked in and we were like oh geez because of the children, the greasy food, and the screams. We aren’t kid haters we just were kids 15 years ago so we still can’t stand them."

    3. Zapata Falls Campground

    70 Reviews
    Blanca, CO
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 852-7074

    $20 / night

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

    "This area in Colorado is one of the most unique places I've seen in a while."

    4. Alamosa KOA

    19 Reviews
    Alamosa, CO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 589-9757

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

    "All wood burning fires are currently prohibited in Colorado, but there are fire pits for when they're not. I met a couple with an RV that make this camp a part of any trip this direction."

    5. Sacred White Shell Mountain

    54 Reviews
    Blanca, CO
    30 miles
    Website

    "The Dyrt map says Mt Blanco road but Apple Maps says lake Como road. They both branch off highway 150."

    "Campground Review: We chose this BLM campground because it is right outside of Great Sand Dunes National Park.  There are several sites along Lake Como Road. "

    6. Mosca Campground

    25 Reviews
    Mosca, CO
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 587-6900

    "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."

    7. Cool Sunshine RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Alamosa, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 992-9105

    $40 - $52 / night

    "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."

    "Great RV park in east walking distance to DT Alamosa. We walked to coffee place in the mornings and farmers market Saturday."

    8. Schofield Homestead

    1 Review
    Monte Vista, CO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 465-4502

    $90 / night

    "The On-site camper at Schofield Homestead has an awesome location near the Sangre De Cristo Mountains & tons of cool spots around their property. "

    9. Del Norte City Park

    5 Reviews
    Del Norte, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 657-3400

    "Short drive off the 160. Signs at this park indicate this as a FREE dump station and water fill station for RVs. 5 spots to park overnight, 1 night stay authorized."

    10. Pinon Flats Campground — Great Sand Dunes National Park

    93 Reviews
    Gardner, CO
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $20 - $80 / night

    "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."

    "Access to dunes trails, and off road track. Dump station nearby visitor center with free air station. T-Mobile available at most sites, but good by the visitor center and primitive road access."

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Recent Reviews near Monte Vista, CO

888 Reviews of 202 Monte Vista Campgrounds


  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Pagosa Riverside Campground

    Beautiful riverside campground

    We came near the end of the season so it was pretty empty. The sites are clean and there are many right next to the river. The campsite has bathrooms, showers, and laundry. The laundry is coin operated so make sure you come prepared. It's only a 5-minute drive from downtown Pagosa Springs, so nice and convenient!

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Lake Como Road Dispersed Colorado

    White Shell sacred mountain

    The spots below were plenty big enough. Easy to find about a quarter mile up a dirt road. The view was spectacular. Got a little cold.

  • Chris S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Forest Road 37

    Quiet, easy access.

    Even coming in well after dark was smooth. Quiet, not another vehicle has been threw by 8am the next day.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Palisade

    On the Rio Grande

    I’ve stayed a couple of times both in and out of season. Love this CG, only downside is road noise but if you can nab a site on the river that’ll drown it out and at night there are few cars.

  • Mike V.
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Alamosa KOA

    Great for stargazing!

    Camp host met us at the entrance and led us to our site.

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Palisade

    River drowns the road noise!

    Great spot #4. Two big shade trees awesome river and Mountain View’s. Good cell service.

  • Jaz C.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    BLM Mt. Blanca Rd. Dispersed

    great spot by the sand dunes

    we arrived after dark and there were still plenty of spots. it was easy to find and the roads were in good conditions. this place had a lot of campers but the sites were very spread out. most sites had a fire pit and there was plenty of tumbleweeds to help start fires. we stayed here 2 nights when we were exploring the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and it was around 15 minutes away.

  • Julie K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Fawn Gulch Rd. Dispersed Camping

    Great Camping but pin is in the wrong spot

    Easy drive in camping in the trees. Some spots had good views. No water. Camping was at 371832.9N-1065637.9W

  • B
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Pagosa Riverside Campground

    Nice sites near Pagosa Springs

    Pull Thru right in front or a lake or river. Full Hook-ups. Not all sites are full hook ups.


Guide to Monte Vista

Camping near Monte Vista, Colorado offers sites with diverse terrain across elevations ranging from 7,500 to 9,400 feet. The San Luis Valley area experiences significant temperature shifts, with summer daytime highs reaching the 90s while nighttime temperatures can drop into the 40s even in July and August. Road conditions to many camping areas require slow driving, particularly the access road to Zapata Falls which takes "20-30 minutes of driving just to go 3ish miles."

What to do

Sandboarding the dunes: At Great Sand Dunes National Park, rent equipment before entering the park for about $20. "By the time we got to the top it was dried out enough to board or sled down which was a blast," notes a visitor to Pinon Flats Campground.

River activities: Fishing at Woods & River RV Park provides easy access to the Rio Grande. "The fishing was awesome. The Rio Grande flows by and so do the trout. When we were there, fishing was free every 1st weekend of the month," reports one camper.

Hot springs soaking: Multiple temperature pools at Sand Dunes Recreation allow for relaxation after hiking. "The hot pool was a welcome destination after an afternoon of sliding down sand dunes and hiking back up," explains a visitor, while another mentions "The Greenhouse pool is 21+ for an additional $3. The Greenhouse is lush with plants and not as crowded as the main pool."

Ice waterfall hiking: Winter visits to Zapata Falls create a unique experience with frozen waterfalls. A visitor noted, "The nearby hike to Zapata falls is worthwhile too, especially in winter for the giant ice sheets in the canyon."

What campers like

Mountain panoramas: The 360-degree views from camping areas provide all-day scenery changes. At Mosca Campground, "We stayed here for two weeks and every day there were new breathtaking views all around. The sunset was a breathtaking experience. Lake views, mountain views, views of the great sand dunes in the distance."

Stargazing opportunities: The area's minimal light pollution creates exceptional night skies. At Alamosa KOA, a visitor shared it's "Great for stargazing!" while another camper at Woods & River RV Park mentioned you can "Watch a skyful of stars and then fall asleep to the sound of the river."

Wildlife encounters: Many campsites offer chances to observe native species. "Lots of trees and Many Many deer in the evenings for your entertainment," notes a visitor at Woods & River RV Park. The area also features diverse bird populations around wetland areas of San Luis State Park.

Geological features: Zapata Falls Campground provides access to unique natural features. "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," describes one camper.

What you should know

Seasonal insect conditions: Mosquitoes can be overwhelming in mid-summer. A visitor to Pinon Flats warns, "July was mosquito madness. Honestly I am from the country and can deal with bugs, but being dived bombed by 30 mosquitos is intense. Be ready for battle."

Water access limitations: Many campgrounds lack water hookups or drinking water. At Sacred White Shell Mountain, dispersed camping requires bringing all water needed. A visitor notes: "No amenities at all so pack in and out. The area is about 20-25 minutes to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. We were able to get potable water there at the dump station."

Weather variability: Rapid weather changes affect camping comfort. "Weather moves very fast through this valley. We had snow and sunshine within a couple of hours," explains a camper at Zapata Falls Campground. Strong winds are common near the dunes area with potential for blowing sand.

Permit requirements: Some areas require specific passes or permits. At Mosca Campground, "You will need and I was personally asked by the camp host to show my seasonal SWA pass. These are very easy to get for as little as 10 bucks if you are a senior or a junior."

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites with playgrounds: Alamosa KOA offers kid-friendly amenities. "This KOA has a nice sized heated, outdoor pool with reasonable hours, closing around 8:00 PM. There is also a fantastic playground with updated equipment, including an elevated tunnel system that ends with safety slides."

Look for cooling water features: During hot summer days, water access makes a difference for children. At Woods & River RV Park, a visitor noted, "Fun kids area with playground and treehouse with zip line" while another mentioned "Plenty of large cottonwood trees providing shade and a reprieve from the warm afternoon sun."

Consider altitude acclimatization: The high elevation affects children differently. A visitor to Zapata Falls suggested, "Give yourself an hour to make the climb, especially if you have some little ones." Plan extra time for hikes and bring plenty of water.

Seek protected campsite layouts: Wind protection helps with family comfort. At Pinon Flats Campground, "Choose wisely not every site has a view of the dunes. I did my research and was rewarded with a site on the outer portion of the camp ground. Our site had decent shade but many are exposed, bring a tarp or canopy."

Tips from RVers

Electric hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer electrical connections. Del Norte City Park has a "Free dump station and potable water" but limited overnight parking: "5 spots to park overnight, 1 night stay authorized."

Site leveling challenges: Some areas require equipment for leveling. At Sacred White Shell Mountain dispersed camping, "We setup camp in the back of the area and were able to get level without blocks! Most everyone else needed blocks, but they didn't seem to have much problem leveling."

Road condition awareness: Access roads vary significantly in quality. A visitor to Zapata Falls cautions, "The road to get to the site is very rough and rocky. It takes an easy 20-30 minutes of driving just to go 3ish miles."

Size restrictions: Campground layouts limit certain RV sizes. At Sand Dunes Recreation, sites accommodate various units but with specific constraints. "While there are 2 port-o-potties (well maintained, to their credit), they would do well to add more facilities for the growing campground space, especially since checkout is 11am so most people want to use the bathrooms before they hit the road."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Monte Vista, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Monte Vista, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 202 campgrounds and RV parks near Monte Vista, CO and 56 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Monte Vista, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Monte Vista, CO is Woods & River RV Park with a 4.3-star rating from 11 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Monte Vista, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 56 free dispersed camping spots near Monte Vista, CO.

What parks are near Monte Vista, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Monte Vista, CO that allow camping, notably Rio Grande National Forest and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.