For those who want to experience Monte Vista, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. Glamping is not only a fun alternative to traditional tent camping, but also allows you to pack more or less gear as you see fit. The Dyrt makes it easy to find glamping near Monte Vista.
$25 - $169 / night
Nestled between the breathtaking San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountains at 7,550 feet, the San Luis Valley is your gateway to adventure. This KOA is near the golden ridges of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, where you can hike dunes up to 750 feet tall. It's also at the base of Colorado's fourth tallest mountain, 14,345-foot Blanca Peak.
$15 / night
Pagosa Riverside Campground has RV pull-thrus, all 50 amp, river, lakeside, wooded & tent sites & 3 Cabins. Enjoy our hot showers, clean restrooms and laundromat open 24 hours. Our store is well stocked with groceries, snacks, gifts, fishing supplies and a large selection of RV parts. Firewood and ice available for sale. Cable TV for RV sites and Wi-fi throughout the campground.
Pagosa Riverside is a Rocky Mountain Campground along the San Juan River.
This people friendly campground is located at 7200′ elevation on the banks of the San Juan River with mountain views and 1200′ of private access to excellent trout fishing. Quiet, convenient off-highway location with cool evenings. The private pond has campsite’s snuggling its bank and free fishing for kids of all ages. Be sure to try the paddle boats for a fun time on the pond.
Free WI-FI throughout the park.
Large RV sites, grassy shaded tent sites in the trees and beside the small pond. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings and there are BBQ grills throughout the park. Park amenities include: Wifi, Laundry, Playground, Game Room, Paddle boats, Above Ground Pool.
The Camp-Store has groceries, marshmallows, snacks, ice cream, fishing supplies, firewood, ice, and the largest selection of RV supplies in the area.
Near hot springs, horse rides, Indian ruins (Chimney Rock), rafting, and championship quality 27-hole golf course. ATV, Mountain Bike, and Hiking Trails are only a short distance from the park.
Primitive Camper Cabins.
$29 - $42 / night
8400-foot elevation. Fishing in nearby Beaver Reservoir and Beaver Creek. Hiking on nearby trails. The facilities include 18 newly remodeled (2010) sites with tables and fireplaces, vault type toilets, centralized refuse bin and a developed drinking water system with hand pumps (in season) and ample turn around and parking space for trailers. 15 sites are dead end spurs and 3 sites are pull through spurs. Attractions in the area include fishing in Beaver Creek and Beaver Reservoir and Tewksberry Trail #842 is available for hiking, biking, ATV riding just to the west. The nearby Beaver Creek Reservoir features a boat ramp and fishing for Brown, Brook and Rainbow trout and Kokanee salmon. Scroll down to Information Center to see individual site descriptions.
Ponderosa Campground is located at the northwest end of the Soap Creek Arm of Blue Mesa Reservoir. 28 tent and medium sized RV sites can be accommodated at Ponderosa. All sites are first-come first-served.
Note: During dry conditions, the first 7 miles of Soap Creek Road are passable to trailers and RVs. Rain can make the Soap Creek Road hazardous or impassable.
Traveler
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.
Guide
A small hippy facility with rv spots, yurts, and lodge rooms. Includes breakfast and dinner, and access to several hot spring fed tubs, at several temps. People were very nice, food was not half bad, and the soaks were wonderful. Would definitely stay again if the opportunity presents again in the future.
RangerBeautiful view of snow covered mountains. Spent the weekend here with family. 5 hot spring tubs and pools. Breakfast and dinner are included in your stay. ( bring lunch and snacks) food is healthy but not too filling. The camping fee per night without hook ups is $134 per night which is steep but most people are here for the hot springs. There is a small motel on site , yurts, and also 4 TPs for rent. Shower house and restrooms are available.
LegendJust going to start by saying that camping is not why people come here -- it’s for the waters! The spa offers numerous pools and tubs at varying temperatures so you can find your joyful spot– be sure to check out the cold plunge pool as well.
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. We were in one of these spots because we run completely on solar to save money. There are zero trees around the lot so sunshine was plentiful.
The bathrooms were clean, modern and nice, as was the small, shared kitchen where we could do dishes. In addition to camping the resort offers hotel rooms, private yurts, tipis, conference rooms and other hotel services. In addition to the soaking being included in the price, so was a buffet style breakfast and dinner. The food was delicious, and veggie/ organic friendly. The whole experience was very reasonably priced and relaxing!
There’s a lot of hiking nearby, in the mountains to the north, west and east- but definitely a drive away. We didn’t check out the walking path in the spa, but they did offer yoga classes in the yurt as well as private massages services and a host of other spa treatments.
There aren’t a lot of nearby towns that offer larger grocery stores, Crestone has a small co-op grocery as does Buena Vista, so if you are planning on cooking for yourself, come prepared.
GuideJoyful Journey is a lovely little hot springs in the middle of the San Luis Valley. The Sangre de Christo Mountains tower in the distance and on a moonlit night, they positively glow from the farthest pool. The water in these springs have trace amounts of lithium which makes them even more relaxing than others I've tried.
The springs is popular and can be a bit crowded, so be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time. Bring your own towels, as they can't always keep up with demand and flip flops are also a must for the showers. However, camping lets you stay a bit later than other folks and being able to wonder across the parking lot to the campground after a good soak instead of driving is a huge draw.
Since the campground as its just an extension of the parking lot there is room for large rigs. It features all the all the basics with a clean and close shower house, electrical hookups and grills. The nightly fee includes access to the pools and continental breakfast in the morning. Pets are allowed for an additional fee.
There are also yurts, teepees and motel rooms available to rent.
Guide
Nestled next to the Rio Grande River hand its gorgeous. This is the Rio Grande in Colorado so there's plenty of running water for tubing, rafting and fishing.
Guide
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. Very dusty and dry air, but very peaceful!
Guide
Super easy to access, very nice staff & good amenities. I pitched my tent four one night here. Tent sites are spacious & have a privacy fence between them. 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. They pointed out that even full this camp is still a gem.
Scout
The Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and relaxation, making it an ideal getaway for sports enthusiasts. With its expansive facilities, it perfectly complements Sportzfy TV's mission to promote active lifestyles and engage audiences in diverse sporting events. Whether you’re looking to train or unwind, this destination provides an excellent backdrop for fitness and recreation. For More: https://www.sportzfytvapks.com/
ScoutThe Colorado Sports Ranch and Refuge offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and relaxation, making it an ideal getaway for sports enthusiasts. With its expansive facilities, it perfectly complements Sportzfy TV's mission to promote active lifestyles and engage audiences in diverse sporting events. Whether you’re looking to train or unwind, this destination provides an excellent backdrop for fitness and recreation. For More: https://www.sportzfytvapks.com/
Ranger
The website listed for this campground is correct Ponderosa campground Antonito, CO.
Phone 719.376.5857
This is a very relaxing place to stay and it seems like most of the people there have been there many times before. The drive in is easy on Route 17 and does not require a vehicle with high ground clearance. They do allow campfires, they have clean bathrooms and a shower house. I stayed in a backpacking tent after driving all day arriving on a Friday at about 4:00 PM. The campground is set-up for small campers and has some cabins for rent too. The bathrooms with showers are clean and comfortable. The sites have fire rings with grates and picnic tables. The owner manager is great, providing quality fishing advice, conversation and even a free cup of coffee in the morning. Hiking on the CDT is near the campground and fishing is right in the campground. The steam train is right up the pass and I happened to be there the night before opening day catching a photo when I drove over the pass to Chama New Mexico. The Cumbres and Toltec Train traveling between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. This is a very nice drive and Chama is a cool place to visit, it is a trail town on the CDT.
I will visit this campground again for sure.
Ranger
This privately owned campground feels like Colorado-at peace-to me. Campgrounds, especially in the times of Covid are filled to the brim these days and that means a different type of experience complete with sometimes noisy neighbors, lots of vehicles and generators running at all hours.
This. Place. Is. Peaceful.
Your first look at the view on the way in to the camoground office should make you want to take a big breath of fresh CO air and leave the worries of the world behind.
The owners/workers were all as friendly as can be and seemed extremely genuine in providing everyone an enjoyable experience. There are 3 ponds on property for fishing and there are some whoppers in there! Do keep in mind, you need to get a permit at the office to partake in being an angler for the day.
The campsites themselves are well spaced, shady, pretty level and have full hookups. What more could you want? They have even separated the RV area from the tent camping area which I find to be the most enjoyable for all parties involved.
As for the general area-you can't go wrong no matter which direction you go. Pagosa Springs is a lovely town with everything you could need. There are too many fishing opportunities to name in the area, and a MUST see-Treasure Falls-it's quite literally .5 miles from the campground entrance.
GuideSuper fun and kooky place and the people who run it are very friendly. We were the only ones here Halloween weekend so it was very quiet and peaceful most of the time. Some fun local attractions nearby as well. Cold at night!
ScoutSmall camp spots in a row within sight of the Watchtower. Porta potty was in decent shape. I was the only one the star gazing is amazing. Neighbor horses came out to join me, too
TravelerThe sites are very simple with a fire ring and a table. There is absolutely no shade and you're essentially in a big dirt parking spot. Don't let that put you off though! 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. Enjoy the watchtower during the day to get some great pictures and then at night to view the stars. The Great Sand Dunes entrance is only about 30 minutes drive from here as well!
Pros -Fire ring -Toilet -Very clean campground -Dumpster on site -Close to Great Sand Dunes NP -Atmosphere -UFO watchtower -Freedom
Cons -No shade -Very close to other campsites
TravelerReally cool place! Beautiful night sky. The owners are very interesting snd friendly people.
GuideInteresting stop for a night. We just did a day trip here to see the UFO watch tower and alien trinket garden but decided not to camp as it was a super hot afternoon and there's no shade. The campsites are just on a flat dirt lot, there's tables, grills and firepits in each site and porta potties available as well as a dumpster. Kids had fun at the watch tower.
GuideVery open with no tree coverage. Sites are primitive. There is an observation deck above the ufo information center. Which also sells souvenirs. Porto potty’s are the restrooms. The view is great of the surrounding mountains. Some camp sites have fire rings some don’t. They have charcoal grills at every site. 
ScoutThe camp host was very friendly! It’s such a unique place in CO, you should really check it out. The star gazing is amazing as well! Will come back again.
ScoutStill early in the day but the place is pretty cool. Reasonable prices at $15 to camp or $5 per car for entry. Hoping to see some aliens tonight.
GuideBeautiful view. Not to mention, such a fun little attraction. Fantastic view of the mountains. The campsites are extremely close, so be very considerate with noise! It was laid out like a parking lot.
TravelerStayed here for one night, passing through. No showers, only porta potties, but they were clean. Wind was howling, but calmed down after dark. A little noise from the road, but not bad.
GuideThis was our first time staying at a KOA and it had really nice views of the mountains. We got the upgraded 100’ Mountain View site and it was pretty nice. The only problem is the road and site can get really muddy after rain/snow and the sites are backed up to a field with some old equipment and houses in it. The views make it worth the 4 stars!
ScoutThis campground has everything you need. Trash pick up, firewood delivery pick nick tables and fire rings at every site. There is a well stocked store with ice, propane, firewood etc. We showed up on a Saturday and there was rock painting and $2 ice cream for the kids right next to the playground. If you want a quieter site however be sure to request something AWAY from the playground! It’s pretty noisy with the kids. Staff is great, views are good and the Sand Dunes are 1/2 hr away. Oh, they have free WiFi and hot showers as well. Kinda deluxe.
ScoutThis is not my type of camping and it is my first time staying at a KOA. If resort camping is your thing this one is clean, has showers, and pancake breakfast on Saturdays.
TravelerThe staff really make this place five stars. So sweet and helpful and welcoming! Amenities are fine, pool was closed during our post-labor day visit. Store is well stocked and they have a pizza shop on site that can be delivered to your campsite. Really good pizza!! The sites are typical KOA- fairly close but well kept and level. Some highway noise, worth it to reserve a “view site” because they’re farthest from the road and bigger. A+ experience!
Guidevery nice people! and they make you pizza and deliver it to your campsite ☺️
wi-fi laundromat water/electric hook-up pull through sites! showers totally flat terrain easy to maneuver
Check out Great Sand Dunes NP!
don’t worry- just a tornado warning no twisters touched down 😅
on that note i felt safe 💛✨
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Monte Vista, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Monte Vista, CO is Great Sand Dunes Oasis with a 4.2-star rating from 53 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Monte Vista, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 23 glamping camping locations near Monte Vista, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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