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Best Dog-Friendly Camping near San Luis, CO

887 Reviews

Home Mountain Reservoir SWA's dispersed campsites welcome pets with no breed restrictions except pit bulls at some locations. Several pet-friendly camping options surround San Luis, Colorado, including Wild Horse Mountain View and Sanchez Stabilization Reservoir where dogs can roam freely within designated areas. Most campgrounds feature basic facilities like fire rings and pit toilets, though amenities vary by location. Dogs should be kept close as one camper reported their pet got into something that made them sick near the reservoir. Free camping predominates in this region, with established sites like Blanca RV Park offering full hookups for those seeking more amenities.

The mountainous terrain surrounding these pet-friendly sites provides excellent hiking opportunities with dogs. Visitors frequently spot wildlife, including wild horses at Wild Horse Mountain View where campers have observed foals during spring months. Many campgrounds experience significant wind, so secure tent stakes and dog supplies accordingly. Keep pets leashed near water areas, particularly at Mountain Home Reservoir where locals sometimes drive ATVs along shorelines. Most camping areas require pack-in, pack-out practices with limited trash facilities available. The closest veterinary services are in Fort Garland, approximately 5 miles from Mountain Home Reservoir, making it accessible for pet emergencies while maintaining a remote camping experience.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near San Luis, Colorado (118)

    1. Blue Lake Campground - Temporarily Closed

    36 Reviews
    La Veta, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $25 / night

    "The site is about two hours west of Trinidad Colorado in the Spanish Peaks Area along scenic highway 12."

    "This area has everything Colorado at 11,500’. There is a waterfall, a lake, some marsh land and plenty of views! Up on the adjacent mountainside are a few old mining locations and some caves."

    2. Home Mountain Reservoir SWA - Dispersed Campsites

    13 Reviews
    San Luis, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 587-6900

    "We found this place as a last resort after being unable to find good free spots near the dunes. Ended up being private and beautiful!"

    "I went on tuesday and wednesday and i had no camping neighbors but there were still a few people around the lake!

    • the lake water wasnt terrible!"

    3. Sacred White Shell Mountain

    54 Reviews
    Blanca, CO
    24 miles
    Website

    "It's a fairly busy place as off-road vehicles and horse back riding are popular here. Beautiful views of the San Luis Valley, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Mt. Blanca."

    "The best part about this area, aside from the views & the sunsets, is the access to the sand dunes natl park."

    4. Zapata Falls Campground

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

    $20 / night

    "Great location with easy access to The Great Sand Dunes."

    "Overlooks all of the San Luis valley"

    5. Wild Horse Mountain View

    3 Reviews
    San Luis, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (407) 697-9750

    $20 / night

    "We woke up to wild horses close to us.  Great spot."

    "Wild Horse Mountain View not only has amazing views from your site, but is super close to tons of great outdoor activities, it doesn't matter what you like to do! "

    6. Sanchez Stabilization Reservoir

    2 Reviews
    San Luis, CO
    6 miles

    "About 4 nice camping sites around the lake. Quiet windy. The van is rocking around. Hold onto your car doors when you open them. Two bar LTE mobile service."

    "It’s also loud with the 18 wheelers driving down the main road. If you’re camping in a van or camper shell, it’s probably not a big deal."

    7. Pinon Flats Campground — Great Sand Dunes National Park

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

    $20 - $80 / night

    "Piñon Flats is located one mile north of the Visitor Center. Any sites not reserved become available as first-come, first-served."

    "There are hiking paths from the campgrounds out to the dunes, and it's only a three minutes drive to the dunes parking area."

    8. North Fork Purgatiore River

    9 Reviews
    Weston, CO
    18 miles

    "Drive past the wildlife area sign that says no camping. That sign is only for the entranced area. On down the road you will see the entrance and pay station for the campgrounds. Gorgeous!"

    "We stayed right next to the river. We sat by the fire and just enjoyed the sounds of the river."

    9. Purgatoire Campground

    8 Reviews
    Weston, CO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $25 / night

    "The area surrounding Purgatory is GORGEOUS. It’s straight out of a movie or picture book."

    "No access to electric or water. Road to camp is rough. Beautiful scenery. Short drive to Chucara and Stonewall."

    10. Bear Lake Campground (CO)

    7 Reviews
    La Veta, CO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 444-6777

    $25 / night

    "Beautiful place in Southern Colorado.     It is a busy (small), very pretty campground Southern CO (not all spots are shaded).     Great Hosts with clean vault toilets.     "

    "The views driving up from the main road are absolutely stunning. I was here when the leaves were changing in the fall and I’m not sure there are many places in Colorado more beautiful than up here."

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near San Luis, CO

123 Photos of 118 San Luis Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near San Luis, CO

887 Reviews of 118 San Luis Campgrounds

  • Jason L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2019

    Blanca RV Park

    Cool little place

    Would give five stars, but right on the main road through the San Luis Valley so it's a little loud, and bright at night. That said, it's still peaceful, and the people are nice. Has shower and laundry for guests, and full hookups for RVs. It's $30 per night or $199 a week, we stayed two days, and would stay again. They allow pets, but have a strict "no pit bulls" dog policy. So unless your "pit bull" is a service dog, they can't stay. Unfortunately dog breeds and temperaments are still misunderstood, but that aside, good people, and nice little place to stay.

  • Jason L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2019

    Mosca Campground

    Amazing views

    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.

  • Jason L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2019

    The Dunefield — Great Sand Dunes National Park

    Get lost in the desert dunes

    Absolutely beautiful Sand dunes in the mountains, it actually smells like an ocean beach and makes you feel like your on another world. The Dunes are 30 square miles and you can camp anywhere in them with a free permit available at the visitor center, just have to hike in past the first ridge aka the day use area. It's tent camping only, and no pets are allowed in the back country dunes. You also need to pack everything you need in with you and leave no trace. The winds blow often and hard, moving enough Sand to cover you tracks in minutes. The views of the sky and stars are absolutely mesmerizing, one of the most beautiful Sand fields in the world. The creek that runs through the day use area can fluctuate in size daily, it wasn't high when we were there, but it was still flowing half way through the day use area. A must see destination if your in the San Luis Valley.

  • Arianna S.
    Jul. 19, 2016

    Zapata Falls Campground

    Zapata

    Great location with easy access to The Great Sand Dunes. The views of the San Luis Valley are stunning, and a very short walk to one end of the grounds provides gorgeous views of the dunes and San de Cristo peaks. Very busy area with the Zapata Falls trailhead at the entrance of the campgrounds. The sites are well spaced from one another and the hosts seemed to take good care of this heavily used place. We will definitely consider returning to ZFC if in need of a campsite in this part of the valley again.

  • Blake G.
    Mar. 25, 2021

    Zapata Falls Campground

    Great views

    Beautiful views, easily the best place to camp in the area. Overlooks all of the San Luis valley

  • Fabein D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 7, 2021

    Alamosa KOA

    To the Dunes

    Staff very helpful. Not much privacy, tent sites kinda wide open. Killer views of the San Luis mountains just past my fingertips.

  • Jason L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2019

    Sacred White Shell Mountain

    Boondocking in the sun

    This is BLM land that's free to camp on for up to 14 days every 45 days. The camp sites are just off a dirt road that leads to the trailhead for hiking to Blanca Peak. The road gets pretty rough the further up you get, but there are plenty of large camp sites on the way up the mountain, some you'd have to home to if you decide to go to Blanca Peak. It's a fairly busy place as off-road vehicles and horse back riding are popular here. Beautiful views of the San Luis Valley, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Mt. Blanca. Definitely worth checking out of you're in the area. No shade or amenities, so bring everything you need with you and as always, leave no trace.

  • Farah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2022

    Zapata Falls Campground

    Cool campground, no cash pay option annoying.

    This is a very cool place. It is high above the San Luis valley, with a great view of the dunes in the distance, and amazing sunsets. If you go, reserve online before you get there or the moment that you get there. It was a little confusing that you couldn’t just pay with cash as we used to be able to do, and you had to find a decent cell signal and go onto recreation.gov, and look at availability, and enter your credit card in, etc. Anyhow, the location is awesome, and would be just perfect if you could just pay cash for those of us that role of the old school way.

  • Anna R.
    Sep. 1, 2018

    Zapata Falls Campground

    Beautiful Views!!

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

Guide to San Luis

Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near San Luis, Colorado, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near San Luis

Tips for camping with dogs near San Luis

  • Bring plenty of water and snacks for your pet, especially at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed, where there are no drinking water facilities available.
  • Keep your dog leashed at Bear Lake Campground (CO) to ensure their safety and the comfort of other campers, as wildlife can be present in the area.
  • Be prepared for sandy conditions at BLM Mt. Blanca Rd. Dispersed, where your dog might enjoy playing in the open fields but may need a bath afterward.

Pet owners appreciate the amenities available

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near San Luis, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near San Luis, CO is Blue Lake Campground - Temporarily Closed with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near San Luis, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 118 dog-friendly camping locations near San Luis, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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