Best Campgrounds near San Luis, CO

Everything was as described. They are open during the winter. The showers were hot and clean! Lovely views to wake up too!

Backcountry dispersed camping in Great Sand Dunes National Park offers an unforgettable and truly unique wilderness experience. If you’re seeking solitude and raw, untamed landscapes, this is the perfect spot to pitch your tent. With no designated sites, you have the freedom to find your ideal spot beyond the busy dunes and under an expansive star-filled sky.

The journey begins with a hike deep into the park’s rugged terrain, where you’re surrounded by towering sand dunes, alpine forests, and sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The lack of light pollution makes stargazing an absolute highlight—this is one of the best places to witness the Milky Way.

Keep in mind, this is true backcountry camping: no facilities, no water sources, and you must pack out all waste. Permits are required, so be sure to plan ahead. The environment can be challenging, with extreme temperature swings and strong winds that shift the sand beneath your feet. Good preparation and Leave No Trace practices are a must.

The rewards are well worth the effort. From sunrise hikes to the serene sound of nothing but wind across the dunes, this camping experience immerses you in nature’s raw beauty like few others can. It’s an adventure you’ll carry with you long after you’ve left the dunes behind.

Highly recommend skipping the tent and sleeping under the stars!

Picnic table, running water in spigots, fire ring and a view. We drove our van right to the spot. Clean pit toilets. $7/night

Clean campground and restrooms. Great views of Spanish peaks

Gated off. Not accessible

Close proximity to the dunes, allows you to access at night and throughout the day to experience the range of landscapes the park provides.

The camp site has flushing toilets and drinking water.

Would highly recommend if you can snag a site.

I walked up the road about three miles on the way to the lake because the beginning of the road was way to rough for my van with large rocks about 6 inch diameter.  There were lots of people disperse camping on the hilside above Como Road.

We stayed overnight after hiking the Tolby Creek Loop nearby the campground.  Pleasant shady place with occasional highway noise.  No cell service.

There are so many campsites to choose from, all along the Hondo Rio. It's peaceful and quiet. We brought our four dogs and 13 year old. There's so much to do to keep them busy. The dogs love the river and to run through it. No one really bothers anyone. There are toilets at some of the sites. Very clean. We had storms while camping. At least six rock/mud slides on the road. I don't know who, but someone managed to clean it all up in record time. We've had a great time, even with the rain and hail. We will definitely come back.

Locked gate at indicated entry point.

Beautiful views of the dunes and the mountains! Bathrooms were super clean and convenient. Highly recommend!

We love to come here to get great views of the Spanish Peaks. This time we had site 93 that faced away from the peaks. Still gorgeous but is a subtle way.

Very easy access to several spots in the area. Can hike up the mountain.