Map showing campground location near Mosca, Colorado

Camper submitted image from UFO Watchtower

UFO Watchtower

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Star-gazing draws most visitors to UFO Watchtower, but the campground also sits within easy driving distance of Great Sand Dunes National Park, making it a functional base for campers working through the San Luis Valley. The setup is straightforward: sites arranged in a flat dirt lot with no tree cover, fire rings, charcoal grills, and picnic tables at each spot. No shade. The surrounding mountain views are open and wide, with the Sangre de Cristo range visible on the horizon.

The atmosphere here is genuinely quirky. The UFO Watchtower itself includes an observation deck above the souvenir shop, and an alien trinket garden draws day visitors throughout the afternoon. At night, the lot clears out and the dark skies take over. Sloan Y. noted that neighbor horses came out to join the star-gazing, which gives some sense of how rural the surroundings actually are. Sites are close together, so campers should plan accordingly for noise.

Wind is a recurring theme in reviews, particularly in spring and early summer. Rocky F. described the conditions in June as "very dusty and dry air," with strong gusts that can damage canopy frames without proper tie-downs. Wind tends to settle after dark. Porta-potties are the only restroom option, though multiple reviewers noted they were kept clean, and a dumpster is on-site. Cell service is available. The campground costs $15 per night, with reservations available.

Access is paved and straightforward, directly off the highway. Road noise is present but reviewers generally found it manageable once settled in. Sand Dunes Swimming Pool RV Park sits nearby for campers wanting full hookups, and CO-17 Paved Pullout, San Luis Valley provides a no-frills alternative a couple miles north. Halloween weekend brought near-total solitude according to one visitor, suggesting shoulder-season visits can be quiet. If the novelty of the watchtower appeals and shade is not a priority, this stop earns its place on a San Luis Valley itinerary.

Check Availability Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

The Loneliest Road Trip

The Loneliest Road Road Trip Segment: Pueblo to Delta

Pueblo to Delta: 3 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Map & DirectionsUFO Watchtower is located in Colorado near Mosca

Private Campground

Coordinates

37.78737476 N
105.88913167 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/7/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 8/7/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/7/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/7/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 8/7/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/7/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

2 hrs 12 min from Pueblo, CO
2 hrs 40 min from Santa Fe, NM
2 hrs 52 min from Colorado Springs, CO
3 hrs 46 min from Farmington, NM

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Reviews11 Camper Reviews - UFO Watchtower

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

11 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the unique UFO-themed experience, friendly hosts, and excellent stargazing opportunities. Numerous guests pointed out the primitive dirt sites lack shade and are very close together, though most found the basic facilities clean and functional.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Luke M.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 18, 2023

Amazing view, clean campground, a little close

Beautiful view. Not to mention, such a fun little attraction. Fantastic view of the mountains. The campsites are extremely close, so be very considerate with noise! It was laid out like a parking lot.

Site7

Month of VisitApril

(4) View All

Sloan Y.

Scout

Reviewed Dec. 31, 2022

Super fun, definitely worth it

Small camp spots in a row within sight of the Watchtower. Porta potty was in decent shape. I was the only one the star gazing is amazing. Neighbor horses came out to join me, too

Month of VisitDecember

Gary J.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 15, 2022

Nice, remote, rustic

Stayed here for one night, passing through. No showers, only porta potties, but they were clean. Wind was howling, but calmed down after dark. A little noise from the road, but not bad.

Month of VisitAugust

Ian L.

Scout

Reviewed Jan. 6, 2022

Interesting Place

Still early in the day but the place is pretty cool. Reasonable prices at $15 to camp or $5 per car for entry. Hoping to see some aliens tonight.

Month of VisitJanuary

jennifer M.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 1, 2021

Fun campground

Super fun and kooky place and the people who run it are very friendly. We were the only ones here Halloween weekend so it was very quiet and peaceful most of the time. Some fun local attractions nearby as well. Cold at night!

Siteparty

Month of VisitOctober

Autumn W.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 6, 2021

UFO Watchtower is a must see!

The camp host was very friendly! It’s such a unique place in CO, you should really check it out. The star gazing is amazing as well! Will come back again.

Month of VisitSeptember

Ben D.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2021

Nice

Very open with no tree coverage. Sites are primitive. There is an observation deck above the ufo information center. Which also sells souvenirs. Porto potty’s are the restrooms. The view is great of the surrounding mountains. Some camp sites have fire rings some don’t. They have charcoal grills at every site.

Site1

Month of VisitJuly

Rocky F.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 13, 2021

Disperse Campers

This spot is surrounded by beautiful Colorado mountains! The wind was very strong in June, if you use a canopy, try to use some strap tiedowns so your canopy frame does not bend. Very dusty and dry air, but very peaceful!

Sitelast tent sight

Month of VisitJune

Jeanie P.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 10, 2021

UFO's and camping

Interesting stop for a night. We just did a day trip here to see the UFO watch tower and alien trinket garden but decided not to camp as it was a super hot afternoon and there's no shade. The campsites are just on a flat dirt lot, there's tables, grills and firepits in each site and porta potties available as well as a dumpster. Kids had fun at the watch tower.

Month of VisitJune

Jen S.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2021

Alien Watch Tower

Really cool place! Beautiful night sky. The owners are very interesting snd friendly people.

Site# 9

Month of VisitJune

(8) View All

Josh

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2021

Give it a shot!

The sites are very simple with a fire ring and a table. There is absolutely no shade and you're essentially in a big dirt parking spot. Don't let that put you off though! The area was very clean and although it's right off the highway the camping spots are tucked far enough away to where it's no bother. Enjoy the watchtower during the day to get some great pictures and then at night to view the stars. The Great Sand Dunes entrance is only about 30 minutes drive from here as well!

Pros -Fire ring -Toilet -Very clean campground -Dumpster on site -Close to Great Sand Dunes NP -Atmosphere -UFO watchtower -Freedom

Cons -No shade -Very close to other campsites

Site12

Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping facilities are available at the UFO Watchtower?

The UFO Watchtower offers primitive camping facilities on a flat dirt area. Each site typically includes a picnic table, fire ring, and some have charcoal grills. There's no shade, hookups, or showers available. The restroom facilities consist of portable toilets that are generally kept clean. Water is not mentioned, so it's advisable to bring your own. The camping area is arranged in a row format, somewhat resembling a parking lot with designated spots. Due to the open nature of the terrain, the area can be windy and dusty, particularly during summer months.

What can visitors expect when visiting the UFO Watchtower in Colorado?

Visitors to the UFO Watchtower can expect a quirky, unique Colorado attraction with an observation deck above the UFO information center where souvenirs are sold. The surrounding landscape offers beautiful mountain views and exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. The atmosphere is peaceful despite some highway noise. The location is known for its kooky charm and alien-themed garden with trinkets. The owners are friendly and interesting. Weather conditions vary dramatically—expect strong winds, dusty conditions in summer, and cold temperatures at night, especially in fall and winter months. Neighboring horses sometimes make appearances near the property.

How much does it cost to visit the UFO Watchtower?

The UFO Watchtower charges $15 per night for camping and $5 per car for day-use entry to visit the attraction. These fees are reasonable for the unique experience offered. For current pricing and any seasonal variations, contact the facility directly before your visit.

Where is the UFO Watchtower located in Colorado?

The UFO Watchtower is located in Colorado's San Luis Valley, situated along a highway with mountains visible in the surrounding landscape. The exact location isn't specified in the available information, but it's in a rural area that offers spectacular views and minimal light pollution for excellent stargazing. The site is accessible by road, though somewhat remote, contributing to its peaceful atmosphere despite being near a highway.

Keep Exploring