Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Walsenburg, CO is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Walsenburg is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Walsenburg, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
BLM Mt. Blanca Rd. Dispersed
1 hr 1 min away
Wild Horse Mountain View
1 hr 23 min away
$30 - $33 / night
"My husband was a little concerned when we left the highway for a dirt county road, but his concerns quickly changed as we enjoyed the beauty and wonder of the Colorado mountains!"
"Lots of open meadows with some tree/big bushes for shade. Clean showers!"
"We found GMP in Colorado City and was told they never turn away a tenter. There are a number of spots aligned below a bluff, and a large open field for additional tents."
"Its as small Campground outside Colorado City. There electric hook ups at your site; however the water is across the path and you need to port it to your rig."
$25 / night
"Good tent sites. Have to carry gear to camp site but only shoeRt hike to campsite. Maybe 50 yards. Has a couple of sires with shelter. Picnic tables are big and heavy."
"Has a fire pit with grill, picnic table, and sites 2, 5, and 9 have the log covering. The sites are pretty close together, but we had no problem with our neighbors."
"We kept driving until we found a spot that was both uphill and private, which definitely requires a vehicle with some height to it like an SUV rather than a sedan."
"Was surprised how many other campers were enjoying nearby sites. Plenty of room to enjoy site without feeling crowded. A nice site, enjoyed evening fire."
"The hike in over the dune to a camp site with all your gear is frankly not easy, but it's short distance so it's manageable."
"If you’re seeking solitude and raw, untamed landscapes, this is the perfect spot to pitch your tent."
"For backpackers only - this may seem like a short distance from the trailhead, but it is a steep incline the entire way up. With packs, it took us close to 5 hours with short breaks."
$50 - $80 / night
GuidePiñon Flats was an awesome place to camp! It has restrooms as well as easy access to hiking trails, each spot has a fire pit and a big enough dirt pad to stake down a tent or awning. Quiet hours are also nice so you won’t be hearing generators at night.
GuideStayed here 1 night with the backcountry permit through recreation.gov to see the stars and stay the night in the dunes. The hike in over the dune to a camp site with all your gear is frankly not easy, but it's short distance so it's manageable. Climbing in the sand is challenging with the extra weight of the pack and if the wind picks up you get whipped with sand BUT it is 100% worth it. We hiked in around 5/5:30pm at the end of the heat and were set up eating dinner around 8pm. Took a lot of breaks hiking in and went through a lot of water. 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. Just the tent, no rain fly and using our sleeping bags as quilts was perfect in June. Even if you don't camp out the dunes are open for star gazing, and I highly recommend that. I tried hiking in both sneakers and just socks. Just socks was much better keeping your feet light and reducing cramping. Note: bugs come out at dusk so be ready with lots of spray and cover your limbs and bring good sunblock, you will get toasted.
TravelerCampsites are compact and overlook the Dunes - we parallell parked at our site. Short hike to Medano creek and the dunes. Sites have bear boxes for food storage, picnic table, and tent pads. Not ideal for large travel trailers but great in tents, vans, or smaller trailers. Site 7 is behind a pit toilet and the breeze blows the stink at you perfectly. Most other sites seem ok.
GuideWe just left campsite 531 at Kettle Creek Loop! Our 3 kids loved playing around the little inlet of water and the playground was not too far! Very clean vault toilets close to that campsite and a bigger bathroom by the playground with showers! It’s a rocky tent pad so bring a footprint and sleeping pads. Shade provided over picnic table blocking the evening sun- it’s pretty sunny in the am but nice! It was HOT while we were there but it cooled off at night. Bring a shade tent! We will Be back!
RangerBackcountry 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!
TravelerThis campsite is located in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. A well maintained campground with asphalt roads throughout, including the campsite parking area. Each campsite includes a level dirt area delineated with a low rock wall, a large metal bear proof food storage locker, a metal fire ring with grate and an aluminum picnic table. There is no water, sewage or electric at any of the sites, although at only $20 a night that is quite acceptable. Plan to pick and reserve your site about 6 months in advance as this national park is very popular.
ScoutWe booked this site last minute and it was perfect! The grounds were quiet and people respected the Quiet Hours curfew. Each site has a covered picnic table to block the wind. The site we booked had electricity hookups. We stayed in a car tent, so we needed non-concrete ground to anchor our tent stakes - the sites are all concrete and gravel with a lot of grass surrounding the main driveway. We were able to park our SUV so that we had access to the grassy area without being intrusive to other folks. The showers are in their own bathroom - toilet, sink, trashcan, bench, towel hooks, and shower. I strongly advise to NOT place clothing or towels on the bench near the shower. The shower has a strong spray and it will get your items slightly wet if too close. The showers are included in your camping fee (aka free to use). There isn't anything to block the wind (except at the picnic table) so be advised weaker tents won't be comfortable.
GuideAbsolutely 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.
LegendZapata Falls Campground is a must do! If Pinon Flats campground is booked, head up here and find a spot. You get better long views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range and dunes from this elevation.
The campground is just a tad over 9,000 ft elevation. There are 23 sites to choose from...one loop is pretty much just tent sites, the second loop RV's can fit. This is fairly primitive. While there are pit latrines, each site has a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring. There is no water. Pack it in...or hike up to Zapata Falls and collect your water (be sure to filter it).
The view really are splendid! And you are super close to the Great Sand Dunes National Park (about 7 miles away). Plenty of high altitude hiking to be done! It is windy, so stake out that tent! Use bear awareness with food items.
The Falls are pretty cool...but you have to navigate your way up the creek, through what feels almost cave-like and then shinny up a ledge to actually see the 30' falls. Even in the middle of summer...the water is cold...like ice cold (refreshing...but will numb your feet). I recommend you bring water shoes or sandals of some sort...along with hiking shoes. The hike there is over some baseball sized rocks on the trail. I foolishly chose not to bring my water sandals...and my feet were instantly numb. The creek rocks do not offer sure footing and I wedged my feet between rocks too many times to recount. It would have been much more enjoyable to have some hard soled water sandals.
The spray from the falls was still cold in mid July, so you didn't want to spend too much time inside the cave-like crevasse.
Important note: The 3 or so miles up from the paved road is rough...really rough. SUV's have no problem...but we drove a Honda Civic...and it was getting beat up. The rocks and ruts in the road are super abusive. We scraped bottom on more than one occasion. I was concerned of breaking a steel belt on my tires. We made it okay...just take your time.
Walsenburg, Colorado, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful escape in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Walsenburg, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Walsenburg, CO is Hummingbird Ranch with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Walsenburg, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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