Beach camping near Alamosa with horseback riding

Discover Alamosa—where sweeping dune fields and mountain forests are all in a day's adventure.

93% (193 reviews)

United States
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Colorado
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Alamosa

93% (193 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Alamosa

2 top beach campgrounds near Alamosa with horseback riding

92%

(280)

Campe Diem!

49 sites · RVs, Tents72 acres · CO

Do you want a large, private, uniquely situated, pet friendly CampSpot™ to yourselves or family with a BATHHOUSE where it can be so quiet and some days there are stars for as deep as you can see? We have about 300 of those days and nights. Usually can stay longer on Sundays! We are 72 acres of piñon trees, some small animal life and crickets tucked against a mesa just a few minutes from town. Bring your shoe prints! We have sandboards! $15 per day! We are approximately a 35 minute beautiful drive from the National Sand Dunes around Mt. Blanca. (14'r). 5 minutes from the Mountain Home State Wildlife Park and reservoir where you can fish swim chill cookout etc. You can bike, hike, Swim, jet ski or fish at the newly stocked reservoir. Firewood must be purchased at the campsite. Pet friendly!

Saved 7 times

Deorum Terra

4 sites · RVs5 acres · CO

The area comprising the SAN LUIS VALLEY and RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST has a rich and colorful history.Native American Paleo-Indian cultures, beginning with the Clovis and Folsom Complexes (11,000 years ago) were the first know inhabitants of the area. These and the following cultures of the Archaic Stage and the Ute Indians lived by hunting animals and gathering native plants found in the area.The Spanish began exploring the San Luis area during the late 1500’s. In an attempt to get people to settle the area, Mexico established numerous land grants within the Spanish territory. In 1770, Don Juan Baustista de Anza traveled through the San Luis Valley and over Poncha Pass in attempt to crush the Comanches who threatened the Spanish settlers.The valley remained largely unsettled until the area became the territory of the United States around 1850.The first permanent settlement in Colorado, known as San Luis de la Culebra, was established in 1851 on the Rio Culebra River on the Sangre de Cristo Grant.To protect the early settlers in the valley, Fort Massachusetts was established, north of San Luis, in 1852.La Loma de San Jose, near present Del Norte, was first inhabited by Hispanic families in 1859 that left the Santa Fe area. Irrigation ditches were constructed and farms established. More extensive farming activities began in the 1880’s near Hooper and the area near Monte Vista where large-scale irrigation systems were built.Gold and silver were discovered near Summitville in1870 which began the mining rush to the area. Other mining settlements followed at Bonanza, Creede, and along the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Del Norte, one of Colorado’s earliest cities, established in 1872, served as a supply point and gateway to the San Juan mining camps.In 1891, an Act of Congress authorized the establishment of Timber Reserves in order to conserve the nation’s timber, range and water resources. Portions of these established reserves were combined to form the RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST in 1908.Learn more about this land:The San Luis Valley of Colorado is the largest alpine valley on earth. The Valley floor is approximately 7500 feet above sea-level and surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks many of which are 14,000 foot tall. An amazingly beautiful and peaceful location in Costilla County, Colorado. Road frontage, great wildlife, and million-dollar views. Billions of stars visible here at night for the stargazers. The town of San Luis is the oldest town in Colorado, founded in 1851. 4x4, atv's, and dirt bikes do well here because of the ideal terrain. Flyfishing in the Rio Grande, boating, and tubing. Hiking on any of the nearby peaks. North America’s tallest sand dunes are a dramatic backdrop against the Sangre de Cristo mountains at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, where you can sandboard or sled down the naturally occurring dunes. A drive along Highway 17 leads to the UFO Watchtower, a quirky roadside attraction with information on the valley’s surprising number of unexplained sightings. Or, check out the Colorado Gators Reptile Park, home to several scaly creatures. Speaking of animals, the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a prime place to spot migratory birds GPS Center: 37.039464, -105.729561

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

This was taken (with a 400mm lens) in the parking lot at the store below the campground. The sand dunes sit on the west edge of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and so see some pretty awesome sunsets.

98%

(62)

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Crestone, Colorado

San Luis State Wildlife Area

Hooper, Colorado

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Beach camping near Alamosa with horseback riding guide

Overview

Experience a new side of Colorado when you camp near Alamosa. From the San Luis Valley, you're just minutes from dense forests and rolling sand dunes just begging to be explored.

It's easy to get stoked about Great Sand Dunes National Park. Outdoor lovers come from across the country to see the jaw-dropping dune field that covers 30 square miles. Hike the tallest dunes on the continent—the views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Blanca Peak are worth the climb.

Looking for an adrenaline rush? Try sandboarding or sand sledding down the dunes. (Get your rental gear in Alamosa). Afterward, cool down in refreshing Medano Creek. After a day in the dunes, pitch a tent on the sand—all you need is a backpacking permit. The park also boasts a developed campground, Pinon Flats.

Keep in mind the dunes can get swamped in the summer. For a less crowded alternative, check out San Luis Lake State Park. The secluded campground has RV sites and tent sites but remember to BYOW (bring your own wood).

For stunning views of the dune field, Zapata Falls Campground is your best bet. This rustic state camping area's 9,000-foot elevation promises sweeping vistas of rugged Colorado terrain. Keep in mind all sites are first-come, first-served.

On the other side of Alamosa, you find Rio Grande National Forest. Here, you can enjoy hiking trails and tent camping amid densely wooded hills. You can even catch some dinner at Terrace Reservoir.

Around Alamosa, a huge range of RV parks, rustic tent camps, and decked out cabins are available. Some are just steps from the Rio Grande, which cuts through the city. Whatever your camping style, it's easy to find the perfect spot within minutes of the area's state and national parks.

Wondering when to plan your trip? With its cool winters and mild summers, Alamosa draws campers year round. Visit in January to explore snow-dusted dunes, or get here in August for some of the best starry skies in south central Colorado.