Anna R.
Guide
GuideZapata Falls Campground
Beautiful Views!!
This was our last night camping in Colorado and it was beautiful!
Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Monte Vista, CO
Woods & River RV Park accommodates pets at its riverside campsites along the Rio Grande in Del Norte, just 23 miles from Monte Vista. The park offers tent sites, RV spaces with full hookups, and ample outdoor recreation space for dogs. Leashed pets are welcome throughout the campground with designated walking areas along riverfront trails. Sand Dunes Recreation in Hooper permits pets at all accommodation types including cabins, RV sites, and tent camping areas. The camp host is very helpful and accommodating to campers with pets. Families regularly walk their dogs on the numerous trails that loop around and extend down to the Rio Grande River where many guests enjoy fishing while their dogs relax nearby.
Multiple trail systems near Monte Vista campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for dog walking and exercise. The Rio Grande River path at Woods & River RV Park creates an ideal environment for daily pet outings with plenty of shade from cottonwood trees. Campers should be prepared for wildlife encounters, as deer are frequently spotted in evening hours around the campgrounds. Del Norte City Park offers a free overnight option with leashed pets allowed, though stays are strictly limited to one night maximum. Cool Sunshine RV Park in Alamosa features a small fenced dog area within its gated facility, providing a secure space for off-leash play. Campground bathrooms and facilities are kept exceptionally clean, making for a comfortable stay with pets. During summer months, early morning walks are recommended to avoid afternoon heat.
Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Monte Vista, Colorado (143)
1. Woods & River RV Park
10 ReviewsDel Norte, CO14 milesWebsite+1 (719) 657-4530"HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FOR FAMILIES AND PETS. PLAYGROUND FOR KIDS HAS A FUN ZIPLINE AND LOTS OF TRAILS TO WALK THE DOGS."
"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!"
2. Sand Dunes Recreation
28 ReviewsMosca, CO21 milesWebsite+1 (719) 378-2807"This place used to be a tilapia farm and there's still some pools around the place with large fish."
"It was easy to travel to all the tourist destinations in the area from this location."
3. Zapata Falls Campground
70 ReviewsBlanca, CO30 milesWebsite+1 (719) 852-7074$20 / night
"This was our last night camping in Colorado and it was beautiful!"
"I just really enjoy the layout of this campground, the nice big bear boxes, and the park ranger who has a cat in his truck sometimes when he cruises around."
4. Alamosa KOA
19 ReviewsAlamosa, CO20 milesWebsite+1 (719) 589-9757"Dog park is a little small, but is nice to have a place for dogs. Pool was very nice. Was disappointed in our tent site as it was all gravel with brush behind us."
"We showed up on a Saturday and there was rock painting and $2 ice cream for the kids right next to the playground."
5. Sacred White Shell Mountain
56 ReviewsBlanca, CO30 milesWebsite"The best part about this area, aside from the views & the sunsets, is the access to the sand dunes natl park."
"You’re down the road from the dunes and about 30 minutes outside Alamosa and other stores. I used the dump station at the sand dunes canoe ground. It was only $8 to fill up water and dump."
6. Mosca Campground
25 ReviewsMosca, CO23 milesWebsite+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 ReviewsAlamosa, CO17 milesWebsite+1 (719) 992-9105$40 - $52 / night
"Green Grass between and around park. Flat gravel roads and deep camp sites there are pull through down center of park. No pool."
"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."
8. Schofield Homestead
1 ReviewMonte Vista, CO4 milesWebsite+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 ReviewsDel Norte, CO13 milesWebsite+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
94 ReviewsGardner, CO37 milesWebsite+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."
"Dog friendly, many families were walking theirs around the loop and nearby trails. Very pleasant site"
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Monte Vista, CO
114 Photos of 143 Monte Vista Campgrounds
Will H.
Rock Creek
Cindy S.
Cool Sunshine RV Park
Ramble O.
Ramble at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Julie K.
Natural Arch Dispersed Site
Will H.
Ventana Arch Dispersed Camp
Fabein D.
Alamosa KOA
Daniel B.
Sand Dunes Recreation
Renata S.
Rabbit Hole Ranch
Jason L.
Mosca Campground
Sarah F.
South Fork Campground
Fabein D.
Lake Fork
Nora S.
Forest Road 614
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Monte Vista, CO
908 Reviews of 143 Monte Vista Campgrounds
Max B.GuideBuffalo Pass Campground
Dispersed camping, solitude
Great place to camp in Colorado to avoid weekend crowds. Wide open, off the beaten path as far as Colorado goes.
- Kara D.
TravelerAlamosa KOA
What you expect...
Clean camp, nice amenities. Dog park is a little small, but is nice to have a place for dogs. Pool was very nice. Was disappointed in our tent site as it was all gravel with brush behind us. Pics online showed nice grassy tent sites with big trees. We had dogs with us, and it sucked to only have gravel for them to sit/lie on at our site. Otherwise, friendly place!
- Casey W.Traveler
Great Sand Dunes Oasis
Amazing stay with views of the Dunes!
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.
Jason L.GuideMosca 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.
- JJackie
ScoutWoods & River RV Park
Beautiful setting on Rio Grande River with walking trails and large RV spot
WE LOVED OUR TRIP TO THIS RV PARK. NESTLED ON THE RIO GRANDE RIVER AND PLENTY OF LARGE COTTONWOOD TREES PROVIDING SHADE AND A REPRIEVE FROM THE WARM AFTERNOON SUN. LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM DEL NORTE WITH SHOPS AND DELICIOUS MICRO BREWERY AND MICRO BAKERY (WHICH OPENED THE DAY WE ARRIVED). HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FOR FAMILIES AND PETS.
PLAYGROUND FOR KIDS HAS A FUN ZIPLINE AND LOTS OF TRAILS TO WALK THE DOGS.
- Craig & Linda L.
RangerCool Sunshine RV Park
Great campground
We should have arrived and checked in by 3:30pm. But had a lack of gas issue. Passed up $5.90 stop. Has the range to go the 19 mile to next station for $4.78. But did not figure in the Frigging HEAD WIND, Went from 11 mpg to 3 and 4 mpg. Was 1.5 miles short. OnStar dispatch with in 5 minutes of our stop. 2.5 hr later back on Road. During down time call Cool Sunshine RV park to tell them we were still coming. Said sorry for our delay but gave us our spot no# C15, gate code to open gate. Had our welcome packet taped to office door with all others info about park. They said they were going to run my card for rest of our stay. Green Grass between and around park. Flat gravel roads and deep camp sites there are pull through down center of park. No pool. But two horse shoes puts, corn holes boards, some game called GA-GA pit. Like Dodge ball, but all in circle. Small finced dog park. Nice gate coded bathroom and showers. And Laundry room!
- Jason L.Guide
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.
Austin and Christel S.GuideWest Fork Dispersed
Peace on the San Juan River
First, access. From the road the 2nd bridge (start of dispersed) is 2.2 miles. This is the same road to rainbow hot springs trail. I camped 5 nights. The river was incredible. Had my dog with me, no problems with pets. Abundant chipmunks and hummingbirds. Don’t be confused by the West Fork campground operated by the forest service (they have potable water and vault toilets). Lows in 50’s and highs in the low 80’s. South wind until dusk, then north every night. Mosquitoes were manageable, flies were pretty bad
Guide to Monte Vista
Dispersed camping near Monte Vista offers options throughout the San Luis Valley, where elevations range from 7,500-8,000 feet with dramatic temperature shifts between day and night. The valley floor receives less than 8 inches of annual rainfall, creating semi-arid conditions that affect camping comfort and water needs. Sites near the Rio Grande provide access to fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities.
What to do
Hike to Zapata Falls: Located near Zapata Falls Campground, this waterfall requires a short hike through frigid water. "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," explains Dave V.
Rent sandboards for the dunes: Available just outside the park entrance for around $20. "I'd recommend renting a sand board before you enter the park (it was $20 at the oasis just before the park entrance) so you only have to wait in the line once," suggests Eileen C. who stayed at Pinon Flats.
Visit the UFO Watchtower: Located near Sand Dunes Recreation, this quirky attraction adds something unexpected to your trip. "Apparently there is also a nearby spot to look for UFOs!" notes Lauren T.
What campers like
Swimming in natural hot springs: Sand Dunes Recreation offers accessible hot springs pools. "The pools are artesian hot springs. The pools are extremely kid friendly, and there are greenhouses with 21+ soaking and bar," shares Elizabeth H., adding that "camping is 20 bucks a night and you get half off camping when you camp here."
Stargazing opportunities: The San Luis Valley offers exceptional night sky viewing at many dog friendly campgrounds near Monte Vista. At Alamosa KOA, visitors note the dark skies: "Great for stargazing!" according to Mike V.
Convenient camping without reservations: For last-minute travelers, Del Norte City Park offers a free overnight option. "This is an interesting spot to stay the night. It is right on the river and there are 1-5 sites with a playground, bathrooms, bbq pit, and a dump station," notes Hayley K., though she cautions "you can only stay 1 night max."
What you should know
Mosquito intensity varies seasonally: July can be particularly challenging for insects. At Pinon Flats, Sarah B. warns, "Choose wisely not every site has a view of the dunes... July was mosquito madness. Honestly I am from the country and can deal with bugs, but being dived bombed by 30 mosquitos (not exaggerating) is intense."
Road conditions to some sites are rough: The access road to Zapata Falls Campground requires slow driving. "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," reports J. Tom S.
Permits required at some wildlife areas: Mosca Campground requires wildlife permits. "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," explains Butch K.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with play areas: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Monte Vista feature playground equipment. At Woods & River RV Park, one visitor mentions "Fun kids area with playground and treehouse with zip line," making it especially suitable for families with children.
Consider sites with swimming options: Water features help keep kids entertained. "We stayed for two nights to go to Great Sand Dunes Nat. Park. Beautiful trees in the fall and great sidewalk that loops around and down by the river... Fun kids area with playground and treehouse with zip line," notes ammon L. about Woods & River RV Park.
Plan for weather changes: The San Luis Valley experiences rapid weather shifts. At Zapata Falls Campground, Ursula shares "We had snow and sunshine within a couple of hours. Love this campground!"
Tips from RVers
Hot water hookups at some sites: At Sand Dunes Recreation, RVers should note that water comes from hot springs. "One funny thing is if you have an rv and hook up to the water, it is fed from the hot springs so the water is always very warm. Didn't get to test out our hot water heater at this location!" explains Heidi S.
Train noise affects some campgrounds: At Cool Sunshine RV Park, expect train disturbances. "Beautiful campground with level sites. Come prepared, it is in the middle of downtown so a lot of traffic noise of loud cars racing down the road and it is right next to the railroad tracks. The train whistle is deafening and will rattle your teeth," warns Durango H.
Site lengths vary considerably: At Pinon Flats, site selection matters for vehicle size. "Some sites are only tent-friendly with parking parallel to the sight and then walking up to a tent area. Other spots work for smaller vans, trailers, etc. and most are short in depth but double-wide drives to position the vehicle beside the trailer," explains Judy B.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Monte Vista, CO?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Monte Vista, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Monte Vista, CO is Woods & River RV Park with a 4.3-star rating from 10 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Monte Vista, CO?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Monte Vista, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 143 dog-friendly camping locations near Monte Vista, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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