Tent campsites near San Luis, Colorado sit at elevations between 7,500-8,200 feet, creating dramatic temperature fluctuations even in summer months. The San Luis Valley receives less than 7 inches of annual precipitation, making it one of Colorado's driest regions. Most dispersed camping areas require visitors to travel several miles on unpaved roads with variable conditions depending on recent weather.
What to do
Fishing at local reservoirs: Sanchez Stabilization Reservoir offers lakeside camping with fishing opportunities. According to one visitor, "Clean washrooms. Cement picnic tables. About 4 nice camping sites around the lake" at Sanchez Stabilization Reservoir.
Explore nearby mountains: The camping areas provide access to mountain hiking trails. A camper at Rabbit Hole Ranch noted "There is a salt flat (I think) nearby that we walked to and took incredible pictures of the mountains and its reflections."
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. One visitor reported, "In our camp spot we saw mountain blue birds, tiger beetles, circus beetles, hover flies, common flies, plateau fence lizards, snake holes, pocket mice, deer droppings, prickly pear cactus (we prepared grilled nopales), and pinyon pine trees."
What campers like
Solitude and privacy: Several tent campsites near San Luis provide significant distance between camping areas. At Great Sand Dunes Dispersed, a camper shared: "You will see amazing sunrises and sunsets and also may have some cows come visit you. There were a lot of people but it didn't feel crowded, I personally enjoyed it."
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional astronomical viewing. One camper at The Dunefield stated, "The views of the sky and stars are absolutely mesmerizing, one of the most beautiful Sand fields in the world."
Friendly resident animals: Some established campgrounds have resident animals that add to the experience. A visitor at Rabbit Hole Ranch mentioned, "The two pups were super sweet and ended up hanging out with us for most of our stay! If you want to be in a beautiful desert with no one around and have a spectacular view of the night sky this is the place to stay!"
What you should know
Weather considerations: Wind conditions can be challenging in the valley. A camper at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed reported: "If you get there early enough you have plenty of spots to choose from. The bottom ones are more flat, while the ones higher up the mountain are a little more rocky."
Vehicle requirements: Many access roads require appropriate vehicles. One visitor noted, "Saw some sedans there but I don't know that I would attempt it. 4WD want necessary but I recommend something with a little clearance."
Timing matters: Arriving early helps secure better sites. A camper at Cabresto Lake Campground shared: "The area is surprisingly busy and the parking lot often becomes pretty crowded, but not full, by morning. The lake offers a good view and there is some hiking nearby."
Tips for camping with families
Consider location carefully: Some sites work better for families than others. At Rabbit Hole Ranch, a visitor mentioned, "I spent 2 nights at this campsite with my friends. It's really the bare minimum you could expect from a campsite, fire pit and flat space for tents but the views and proximity to the sand dunes are great."
Plan for temperature swings: The high desert climate means significant day-to-night changes. One camper at Sacred White Shell Mountain Campground reported: "My husband and I stayed here for a night just passing through. This is only about 12 miles from the Great Sand Dunes National Park and also on the way the Crater Lake. There are several dispersed campsites."
Bring adequate water: No running water exists at most sites. A visitor to The Dunefield advised: "In total we brought about a gallon of water each, and by the time we hiked out the next morning we were down to the last couple of ounces."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: Level sites can be difficult to find. One RVer camping at Great Sand Dunes Dispersed noted: "We selected this location because it got so many great reviews. I don't expect perfection in dispersed locations but, I was pretty disappointed in the quality of the established areas. They were very difficult to level our smallish travel trailer and perhaps that is the problem."
Road conditions: Access roads vary considerably in quality. An RVer mentioned: "Definitely need an all terrain vehicle for the drive up to lake. Rough dirt road. Got a flat tire."
Dispersed camping options: Some areas allow RVs in specific sections. A camper observed, "There is open BLM land on either side where many RVers chose to park down the hill."
