FAQs
From the stunning landscapes of the Great Sand Dunes National Park, to therapeutic hot springs, sparkeling waterfalls, and wild lands teeming with thousands of birds, Alamosa has so much to choose from. You could do a little sand surfing, ride a historic steam train, enjoy some authentic food, and enjoy some of the best star gazing to round out the many things you can see or do while visiting the Alamosa area. Did we mention there are alligators in the middle of Colorado? Yes, we said alligators.
Stay a while and experience Colorado’s wide open spaces of the Mystic San Luis Valley.
Winter does not put a stop to the fun and enjoyment that comes from visiting the Alamosa area. Think of snowshoeing on the massive sand dunes of the Great Sand Dunes national park. Bird watching is a year round activity, but at Christmas there is a special event bird watching event hosted by the Audubon Society. You have not seen anything until you see Zapata Falls freeze into a surreal ice structure. If nordic skiing in snowey meadows and through the trees of the Rio Grande National Forest is your thing, then the Big Meadows Ski Trail the foothills of the San Juan Mountains is the perfect winter time activity.
Summers in the Alamosa area are warm and dry, and the majority of the year is dry. Alamosa may not get much rain during the year, it does however gets a beautiful blanket of snow during the winter months. As the area is over 7500 feet above sea level, nights year round can be quite cool and the days can quickly warm up, so dress accordingly. The Great Dune National Park sands can get pretty hot, so make sure you protect your pets tender feet.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the great features of Colorado and is open year round. A key feature of the San Luis Valley, the dunes rise up to 750 feet above the valley floor, the tallest in North America. The shift sands are protected and life here is protected as a national preserve, and hikes here are like walking in an alien world. Sandboarding is very popular. Visitors can rent sandboards and sand-sleds boards in the nearby Alamosa. The night skies are a must for astronomy buffs, where the light noise is low and the views are stunning.
Stopping by the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center will help the visitors understand how the Great Sand Dunes were formed, as well as educating the guests about the flora and fauna in park.
The tallest sand dune, rises almost 750 feet from the valley floor and is the tallest sand dune in North America.
Camping is a great option when visiting the Great Sand Dunes National Park, with established tent and limited RV camping, or venture out into the dunes and camping right under the stars. Just make sure to get your permit first from the Forest Service ranger.
Last but not least, in 2019 the National Park was designated an international Dark Sky Park, providing unparalled star gazing.
The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is not currently operating, but you can still witness some of its history in town. The Alamosa Depot houses our Welcome Center, and one of the vintage steam locomotives is on display in downtown Alamosa.
Yes, the Great Sand Dunes National Park receives an average of 35 inches of snow each year. Located in a high desert, the park receives less precipitation than most other areas of Colorado.
Yes, you can, but coordination with the National Park Service is required. Weddings and other special events may take place outside the wilderness boundary of the dunefield, on the close side of Medano Creek, as long as they do not hinder other visitors’ enjoyment of the park.
No, all motorized vehicles are restricted from the National Park area to protect the unique plants and wildlife.
Yes, Alamosa has two car rental agency options. The San Luis Valley Regional Airport houses Country Car Rentals. Visit their website here or call (719) 588-2562 to learn more about their rates, hours and availability. Alamosa Car Rentals also operates in Alamosa via the Turo app. Call (719)937-3400 or visit their website here to see what is available. You can also book using the Turo app.
Yes, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are available but may not be the most reliable options. The most reliable taxi service is Little Stinkers and can be reached at (719) 589-2500.
Yes, there is a dump station located at the Sand Dunes Oasis right outside of the GSDNP. In Alamosa, there are several dump stations. Dump stations can be found at the Base Camp Family Campground, the KOA, Cool Sunshine RV Park, Wright Valley Oil, Loaf and Jug and the Maverick.
The road to Zapata Falls is bumpy and steep. We recommend a high-clearance vehicle and driving slow. Occasionally, the road may require 4 wheel drive in deep snow.
Yes, arrangements can be made ahead of time to rent specialized wheelchairs from the Great Sand Dunes National Park Visitors Center.
There are two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located at our Colorado Welcome Center in Downtown Alamosa. The Welcome Center is located at the historic railroad depot at 610 State Ave, Alamosa, CO 81101.