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Zapata Falls Campground

In

Rio Grande National Forest

·

100%

·

23 sites · RV, Tent

High on top of the hill, Zapata Falls campground is located 9,000 feet in Sangre de Cristo Mountains, painted with chromatically cohesive sunsets and sunrises. Because of it’s elevation, be sure to be aware of the possibility of altitude sickness―and bring plenty of H20!

What this place offers

Campfire allowed

Pets allowed

No showers

Toilets

No potable water

Picnic tables

No sewage hookups

No electric hookups

23 sites

RV, Tent

Explore 703 campgrounds near Rio Grande National Forest

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Available campgrounds nearby

Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near Rio Grande National Forest

Hummingbird Ranch

38mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 16 sites · Tents, RVs · Rye, CO

Learn more about this land: Hummingbird Ranch is a gorgeous sprawling ranch in Colorado's Spanish Peaks Country with panoramic views of the Wet Mountains and across the plains to the Spanish Peaks. Location is only 12 easy driving minutes from I25. Come experience the dark Colorado skies and quiet secluded campsites with scenery all around...

Bear Creek Ranch

43mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 1 site · Lodging · Westcliffe, CO

Tent camp, park your RV or stay in the glamping log cabin that sleeps 4 on this 35 acre private property. The cabin has electricity and a wood burning stove for cold nights but is a dry cabin. There is a pump outside the cabin for water and a vault toilet. Bring your horses, bikes ATV's or hiking shoes to explore trails in the Wet Mountains one mile from your site. The town of Westcliffe is 14 miles away with more trails in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is a National Dark Sky Community.

Rabbit Hole Ranch

9.6mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 198 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Mosca, CO

We are closed for the season. PLEASE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY The Rabbit Hole Ranch offers beautiful night skies with little to no light pollution and unobstructed views of the majestic Blanca Massif. The Great Sand Dunes and Zapata Falls is just a (gorgeous) 35 minute drive. Camping here at the Rabbit Hole Ranch is primitive and dispersed (no numbered sites) and there 30 acres available for you to use. Just follow the signs to the designated area and pick out a spot you like. Some spots have fire rings, some don’t. We are working on getting more, but in the meantime you’re welcome to bring your own. Or feel free to dig out a little hole. It works great and is easy to extinguish when you fill it back in and bury it. Please do not bury any trash. Typically, you will experience a rare kind of solitude and silence that feels…. other-worldly, with incredible sunrises and sunsets filling the enormous skies. On holidays, however, expect it to be busy. Our dogs are working dogs and they are more than happy to help keep you and your pets safe. Please help make their jobs easier by not leaving any food or trash in or around tents. Please keep your pets on leash or under control until you’re comfortably certain they get along with our dogs. And please report any issues promptly. This year we have a new Great Pyrenees to greet you, her name is Boudicca and she’s excited to meet everyone! Returning this season is 12 year old KayLee, also a GP and and Finn, our little dude from Alaska. Quiet time begins at 10:00 pm. Note: Holidays still offer the excellent location and spectacular views, but are likely to be less quiet and far more busy. We typically do not strictly enforce quiet time during holidays.

Camp Blanca

8.4mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 1 site · Tent, RV · Blanca, CO

🌄 Peaceful Desert Camping Near the Great Sand Dunes – Blanca, Colorado Come enjoy the raw beauty of southern Colorado on this quiet, off-grid camping site just 30 minutes from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Zapata Falls! Our land in Blanca, Colorado offers: 🏕️ Private, level space for tents or RVs 🌌 Stunning mountain views and clear skies for incredible stargazing 🔥 Campfires allowed (seasonal fire bans may apply) 🐾 Pet-friendly 🚗 Easy access (2WD OK most of the year) This is primitive camping – no hookups or amenities – just peaceful land, freedom, and nature. 📍 Located near Blanca & Fort Garland, just off Hwy 160 📅 Available year-round 💲 Affordable nightly rates (message for weekly discounts) We welcome solo travelers, families, van lifers, and adventurers of all kinds!

Camp Two Oasis

17mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Gardner, CO

A great base camp access to the Sand Dunes,Mt Lindsey, and Blanca Basin. Great biking around the camp.Close to the Huerfano River with a secret spot and trout fishing.We have nice level r.v. or tent sites in valley farm / old.orchard setting with mountain views ,electricity and well water. We provide an outdoor sink at the Pumphouse, and plenty of good well water. , 20 minutes to the top of Laveta Pass and hwy.160, 35 minutes to Lily Lake trailhead via 4wd road,and 20 minutes to the Mosca Pass trailhead to the Great Sand Dunes. A great day trip is hiking from Mosca Pass to the Visitor center at Great Sand Dunes ,explore the creek and dunes down there and then trek back up to your car at Mosca Pass.About a 8.5 mile round trip. Decent cell phone reception here at camp.We have wifi available . Easy and nice bikerides right from camp. ,Camps have fire circles and grill for firepit. .Plenty of mowed grassy areas for the kids. Well behaved pets on or.off a leash are welcome . Be mindfull that your pet does not chase or harrass potential livestock.on neighbor's property . Grassy tent site,near power and water. Pit toilet. Corner Camp or Orchard Camp. Orchard Camp has 20 amp power and fresh water hookup.. Pull through with 50 amp hookup and water hookup for the Camp 2 site for longer setups.Pull through is possible.

Mountain Bird Alpine Desert

35mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Moffat, CO

Our land is out away from all the noise and lights. You can see the milky way and the stars at night are amazing. then to have the view of the Sangre de Christo mountain range is amazing to enjoy. The surrounding valley has lots to offer from the quant little towns and coffee shops to the home style meals at the restaurants. and all the hot springs are amazing. Your site is overlooking the Sangre de Christo mountain range. The land is Alpine desert with sagebrush and ground cactus and incredible star gazing. There are 2 great hiking trails within a couple miles. There are 3 hot springs within 30 minutes. The Great sand dunes national park is within 1hr. The San Luis valley offers, hiking, mountain biking, ATV trail, Horse back riding, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, rafting, refuges for wildlife watching. New for 2024, The flushable toilet and shower are now operational. The shower house is located in the center of the loop with sites 1,2,3 on the south side of the building. It has an on demand water heater, there is also a a flushable toilet located in the same space. An important note about the toilet, Do Not flush anything other than toilet paper please. DO NOT flush feminine hygiene products, napkins or hand wipes or anything other than toilet paper. These type of things plug and burn up the pump while pumping out the tank. This will cause the toilet to be unusable. ATTENTION: THE SHOWER HOUSE AND TOILET WILL BE SHUTTING DOWN AND GETTING WINTERIZED OCTOBER 1ST UNTIL MAY 1ST. No fireworks are permitted at any time.

Haven Hill

42mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Rye, CO

Thirty-five private natural acres high above Scenic Byway CO165. A secluded mountain top with privacy. You will be overlooking the beautiful Greenhorn Valley, with wide open views of Greenhorn Mountain and the Spanish Peaks. The stars at night are often breathtaking. It feels like you are on an island in the sky. It’s conveniently close to lakes, hiking, outdoor activities and supplies, restaurants and gas stations. Several roundabouts exist for turning around large vehicles. RV sites are pull through. For digital Nomads, Cell phone and satellite service is good here. ATV's are welcome on designated roads and trails. Fires are allowed. But PLEASE check https://www.pueblo.us/2602/Fire-Restrictions. Fires must be in campfire circles only! PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU FULLY DROWN YOUR CAMPFIRE BEFORE YOU LEAVE. Dead wood on the property is OK to burn but please do not burn your trash. All trash and waste needs to be packed out. There are trash cans and restrooms at the rest stop at I-25 and Highway 165. Firewood is available to purchase nearby in Colorado City at Ace Hardware and others. You will have your choice of Camp site #1 and/or #2. They have flat mulched areas for an RV/Camper or for tent camping. Each has a fire ring and picnic table. Both sites allow room to turn around an RV or camper. Bring your own toilet for now. There is minimal shade available, so plan accordingly. Potable water is available at the blue ground hydrant in front of the little cabin to the west. It takes about 10 seconds to start running. Use of firearms is prohibited. No fireworks are allowed. Quiet time is after 10:00 p.m. Please be respectful of neighboring properties. remember you are on a hilltop so sound can travel :)

Stars, Mountains, Wifi, Hummingbird

11mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · Blanca, CO

Located near the base of Mt. Blanca, a beautiful 14'er - and close to the Great Sand Dunes, wildlife and nature preserves, and reservoirs. Camp sites are located just 1 mile from the base of the mountain. The entire property is a hummingbird sanctuary, so your chances of seeing hummingbirds is quite high! We are also next to the elk migration crossing, so you could see elk, deer, pronghorns, or even get a visit from one of the wild horse packs in the valley! This is a great location if you want to be close to things, but feel like you're far away! Lots of athletes come to this area to train at the higher altitude! Visit the town of San Luis (the oldest town in Colorado), hop over to Antonito and check out the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic railroad, hit the UFO tower in Hooper, or just lounge on your campsite and get the best view of the Milky Way you've ever seen! Wifi available if you have a device that can connect at long range! Firewood, Fresh Baked Bread, Jams and other farm goodies available on site! RV dumpsite/Convenience Store/Water available at the RV park located 2 miles from the campsite!

Tin Can Camp: Adventure Base

42mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 5 sites · Lodging · Center, CO

Nestled in the heart of the San Luis Valley at the entrance to Penitente Canyon and Special Recreation Management Area and 50 minutes to Great Sand Dunes National Park, San Luis Valley Great Outdoors welcomes all guests to come and enjoy their cabins at Tin Can Camp. Tin Can Camp is located within 200 acres of Colorado State Trust Land at roughly 8,000 feet above sea level. The landscape is arid high desert with scattered groves of piñon and juniper trees. The camp serves as a convenient home base for launching adventures across the San Luis Valley to various local Hot Springs, archeological sites, and other small town local attractions. For the more adventurous guests, there is recreation right from Tin Can Camp with The Valleys largest trail system and climbing area less than a mile away and access to the vast expanse of the Rio Grande National Forest. The cabins are "micro homes" outfitted with modern conveniences. Each cabin has solar power, a propane heater, a compact kitchen with a sink, water jugs, and pump, two full size loft beds, a small table with chairs, an incinerator toilet, and a covered porch. Incinerating toilets are self-contained waste management systems that burn human waste instead of flushing it into a sewer or septic system. These toilets use propane gas to incinerate waste at high temperatures, reducing it to a small amount of sterile ash. Incinerating toilets are commonly used in locations where traditional plumbing is impractical, such as remote cabins and environmentally sensitive areas. They are valued for their efficiency, minimal environmental impact, and the elimination of the need for water or chemical treatments. There is odor associated with the incineration process. Guests should know there is no water available on the property. You will need to bring water for all your needs. This includes cooking, washing, drinking, and for putting out fires. Guest should plan 2 gallons of water per person per day. A public well/pumphouse is at the intersection of County Road 38A and Road 40G (37.836363, -106.271551)(inoperable as of 7/11/2024- BLM working to fix it). Tin Can Camp is adjacent to the future Sangre de Cristo Dark Sky Reserve, and the property has spectacular views of the Milky Way Galaxy. Each cabin has a fire ring for guests to relax and enjoy the dark nighttime sky. Wood collecting on the property is not permitted, so guests must bring their own firewood. As mentioned, the property is located at the entrance to Penitente Canyon. Penitente Canyon is a Nationally-renowned climbing destination with more than 400 climbing routes. Penitente Canyon also has 30+ miles of non-motorized trails for mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian activities and guest have direct trail access from camp! Guests can ride mountain bikes directly from the property. There are numerous recreation, sightseeing, historical and cultural, and agricultural tourism opportunities in the nearby Rio Grande National Forest, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. Gas, ice, water, and some groceries can be found nearby at the La Garita Trading Post, which has operated since 1913. The La Garita Trading Post is in a historic log cabin and serves the best local-beef burgers in the San Luis Valley.

The Nomad Ranch

26mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Rye, CO

About a half mile off Highway 69 and two miles outside the tiny town of Gardner, this is the perfect retreat if you are looking for fantastic views of the Sangre de Cristos, Spanish Peaks, and Wet Mountains. Our property is close to hiking, a wolf preserve, Bishop's Castle, thousands of acres of national forest, over 800 miles of dirt roads (with jeep and ATV trails), and within 40 minutes to one of the most quaint and best kept secret towns in Colorado, Westcliffe. We are about 30 minutes northwest of Walsenburg, CO and about 40 minutes southeast of Westcliffe, CO. Maximum RV length is 30 ft. No hookups are provided for RVs so please plan to be self contained during your stay. We also offer a small dry cabin (no running water or electricity) which is perfect for those looking to not get quite as close with nature. We also offer tent camping!

High Peaks Campground

31mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · Moffat, CO

Welcome to the San Luis Valley; the largest Alpine Valley in the world! San Luis Valley is a region in south-central Colorado with a small portion overlapping into New Mexico. The valley is approximately 122 miles long and 74 miles wide, making it the largest alpine valley in the world. It extends from the Continental Divide on the northwest rim into New Mexico on the south. This campground sits close to the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. I encourage binoculars or even a telescope to view wildlife and check out the Rockies and then the night sky views! Looking to submerse yourself in nature? The Sangre de Cristo Range in Colorado contains the following 14ers: Blanca Peak, Challenger Point, Crestone Needle, Crestone Peak, Culebra Peak, Ellingwood Point, Humboldt Peak, Kit Carson Peak, Mount Lindsey, and Little Bear Peak. Great Sand Dunes are visible from every site. With unlimited mountain views, beautiful starry night skies, come see the Milky Way, Eclipse, even Meteor showers!!! History: this land was originally part of a large cattle ranch in the 1980s. The main ranch is still up and running but this parcel was used for many purposes over the years. In 2021, we were featured in USA Todays Ten Best for star gazing! My property has 360 degree mountains views with the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range as our back yard. Nearby you can find many different trail systems for all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. From hiking to jeeping, ATV or dirt biking and equestrians - you can find it all! You will be surrounded by BLM land, BACA land, and Wildlife Refuge just two miles away. Be sure to bring extra bug spray and protection needed against biting insects such as flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. For those bringing your pets, they MUST be on a leash/lead at all times. While I do not have much cactus on my property, I do have an abundance of greasewood (Chico brush) which is very thorn-like if stepped on. Accommodations for those with livestock or horses, just make sure you chat in advance your initial message. Close to BLM, and National Forest as well as 3 hot springs within 20 miles and the Great Sand Dunes. We are still under construction and making changes often so bear with us while we continue to add and change things for the better!

Sand Dune Wilderness Large Campsite

11mi from Zapata Falls Campground · 1 site · Tent, RV · Blanca, CO

LOW CLEARANCE CARS MIGHT HAVE ISSUES GETTING TO CAMPSITE CURRENTLY. Stephens Campsite offers ample space for your Hight clearance Camper or tent, alongside easy parking, a large picnic table, and a cozy fire pit AND NEW CHARCOAL BBQ GRILL!! Spend your evenings basking in the glow of the fire. Due to recent heavy rainfalls, we recommend using a 4WD or AWD vehicle to access Stephens Campsite. Hidden in the heart of Blanca, Colorado, the 25ft×60ft campsite is the perfect private sanctuary for those seeking an authentic wilderness experience. Feel free to bring your RV/Camper and enjoy our spacious site. It serves as an ideal basecamp for 14er hiking adventures, only 20 mins from Lake Como Rd. Currently, it accommodates Campers/RVs and tents, operating as a "PACK IN PACK OUT large campsite." Parking is convenient, with space for one large RV/camper truck and two cars. While the road leading in might be a bit rough for about a quarter mile, it's manageable. We've personally cleared the main road for easier access. Moreover, Smith Reservoir State Wildlife Area, offering great fishing, is just 15 mins away, with the town of Blanca and the main highway a mere 10 mins away. The Alamosa recreational center, providing hot showers and full gym access for $5 with a day pass, is approximately 30 mins from the campsite. The area boasts zero light pollution, making it perfect for stargazing with views stretching up to 100 miles. We're continuously improving the site, with plans for a custom fire pit, benches, and picnic tables, ensuring it remains a special place for all to enjoy.

More to explore nearby

100%

9 ratings · 5 reviews

Recommends

· June 2021

Beautiful campsites with nice views, perfect place to stay when visiting the Sand Dunes National Park.

Erin B.

4 years on Hipcamp

October 2017

I loved it here! Not crowded at all, quiet and every spot had a good view it seemed. Clean bathrooms are a plus too! Make sure you have water and other things before you head up the dirt road.

Ian P.

8 years on Hipcamp

September 2017

One of our favorite camping spots. Great views of the San Juan valley and the Dunes can be seen to the north after a 5 minute walk. Plan on a twisty dirt road to get in and start climbing a bit in elevation. The Zappata falls are a quick hike but there is plenty more trail for people who would like to make a day trip into the mountains.

Kate M.

8 years on Hipcamp

June 2017

Wonderful place close to one of my favorite places to visit, the Great Sand Dunes. This campground is relatively new so all sites and facilities are really nice. The views across the valley looking at the Dunes are incredible. Hiking to Zapata Falls and in the surrounding area is well worth the trip. When you turn off the highway heading to the campground the vegetation is really sparse but the road climbs quite a bit so you end up camping in an area with pinon and juniper trees. Hiking up to the falls gets you into pines.

Kate G.

8 years on Hipcamp

December 2016

Awesome campground 10 minutes outside the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The Zapata Falls are a 1/2 mile from the campground and make a great quick hike before heading to the dunes.

Ryan R.

10 years on Hipcamp

LocationZapata Falls Campground, Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado, United States

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What this place offers

Campfire allowed

Pets allowed

No showers

Toilets

No potable water

Picnic tables

No sewage hookups

No electric hookups

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View of the sunset and the coming storm from our awesome campsite!

Zapata Falls Campground

24 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rio Grande National Forest

If you want unimpeded views of the dunes, look for sites on the west side of the loop. The only downside is most of these sites don't have trees for shade, so bring a canopy if you don't want to bake!

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