The best cave campgrounds near Fort Garland, Colorado

Welcome to Hipcamp! Looking for a unique camping experience near Fort Garland, Colorado? With over 95 options specifically tailored for cave enthusiasts, you're in for an adventure! Explore caves and enjoy the rugged terrain of the area while staying at top-rated campsites like Los Vallecitos Retreat (58 reviews), Sand Dunes Base Camp (72 reviews), and Gonzo’s Grove (8 reviews). Prices start as low as $25 per night, with an average of $35 per night. You'll have access to popular amenities like showers, trash disposal, and campfires. Plus, you can engage in thrilling activities such as climbing, horseback riding, and wildlife watching. Get ready for an unforgettable camping experience!

73% (74)

Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Garland

Welcome to Hipcamp! Looking for a unique camping experience near Fort Garland, Colorado? With over 95 options specifically tailored for cave enthusiasts, you're in for an adventure! Explore caves and enjoy the rugged terrain of the area while staying at top-rated campsites like Los Vallecitos Retreat (58 reviews), Sand Dunes Base Camp (72 reviews), and Gonzo’s Grove (8 reviews). Prices start as low as $25 per night, with an average of $35 per night. You'll have access to popular amenities like showers, trash disposal, and campfires. Plus, you can engage in thrilling activities such as climbing, horseback riding, and wildlife watching. Get ready for an unforgettable camping experience!

73% (74)

Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Garland

1. Sand Dunes Base Camp

78%

(111)

8mi from Fort Garland · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

The San Luis Valley has a storied history in Colorado. Come experience this slice of virtually untouched 10,000-acre plot of land nestled against the legendary Fourteener Mt. Blanca! Taos, Alamosa, Hiking, Skiing and the Sand Dunes close by! Learn more about this land: Your own camping plot minutes from the Sand Dunes National Park Gates, at the base of Mt. Blanca (a 14’er)! Wake up to unobstructed million dollar views. Lovely area with lots of wildlife. Pulls campers from all walks of life and everyone seems to have a huge smile on their face. A little town with sundries is close enough for goods but far enough to forget you’re near civilization. The nights sky has an unobstructed view of the sky (no light pollution). Easy to get to and close to the sand dunes. If you have a large group we recommend booking both sites.

2. Rio Grande National Forest

85%

(27)

691 sites · Alpine, Colorado

Explore the many ecosystems of south-central Colorado in this massive national forest.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

3. Great Sand Dunes National Park

99%

(82)

47 sites · Crestone, Colorado

Come play in North America’s tallest sand box.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

4. Carson National Forest

91%

(40)

463 sites · La Madera, New Mexico

Come get lost in the wild, enchanted lands of New Mexico! One of five unearthly National Forests in this great state, Carson National Forest is open for business all year round, and never fails to bring the heat with magnificent mountain scenery and some seriously stunning natural features. If solitude is your muse than look no further! Cold mountain streams, ample trout fishing, and out of sight camping is sure to give you your fix. With over 1.5 million acres laden with high ridges, dense vegetation and some of the cleanest air you’re likely to find west of the Mississippi, Carson is simply the epitome of Southwestern frontier!

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Public campgrounds near Fort Garland

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

100%

(9)

Zapata Falls Campground

15mi from Fort Garland · 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!

99%

(82)

Pinon Flats Campground

22mi from Fort Garland · 47 sites · Tents, RVs · in Great Sand Dunes National Park

Nice flat spots. Hard to see the second tent closer to the creek, but that's part of what was nice about that spot.

75%

(4)

North Crestone Creek Campground

43mi from Fort Garland · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rio Grande National Forest

Beautiful lake covered in mist early morning

100%

(5)

Cabresto Lake Campground

47mi from Fort Garland · 9 sites · in Carson National Forest

100%

(2)

Cimarron Campground

47mi from Fort Garland · 36 sites · Tents, RVs · in Carson National Forest

McCrystal Campground

48mi from Fort Garland · 66 sites · Tents, RVs · in Carson National Forest

You don't get much better than camping on Rock Creek! So clean, fresh and serene! A place the locals hold dear and have great respect for the area...pack it in pack it out!

Rock Creek Campground

49mi from Fort Garland · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rio Grande National Forest

Junebug Campground

50mi from Fort Garland · 20 sites · Tents, RVs · in Carson National Forest

100%

(3)

Fawn Lakes Campground

50mi from Fort Garland · 11 sites · Tents, RVs · in Carson National Forest

100%

(2)

Alamosa Campground

50mi from Fort Garland · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rio Grande National Forest

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Kim

October 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Sand Dunes Base Camp

Tremendously gorgeous views! Very quiet area with pretty clear directions to site. A fire pit is available, we made s'mores and had a great time. Once we went to bed we did hear (likely) coyotes howling in the distance and with small critters rustling near the tent, nothing dangerous or unusual for the type of area. Definitely would recommend especially for the quick access to the Great Sand Dunes Nat’l Park!!