A Traveler's Blog

Do you want to visit Alamosa like you know a local? Here is your chance! Enjoy the following feature articles written by a traveler enjoying some hidden (and not so hidden) treasures around the San Luis Valley.

3 Fall Favorite Coffee Stops

3 Local Coffee Houses- 3 Fall Favorite Flavors

Nothing says fall better than a seasonally flavored latte. Alamosa offers three great locally owned locations for that perfect fall brew (Coffee, Latte ). Below are three favorite fall favorites, but don't just take our word for it, go out and enjoy for yourself!

Pumpkin Marshmallow Latte

Blessed Brews Coffee Shop 2431 Main St.

The blend of pumpkin, white chocolate & cocunut is perfect for a crisp fall morning. Just a sip and you can almost imagine the crunching of leaves beneath your feet. Looking for something filling to pair with this latte? Check out their baked good section!

Blessed Brews close up fall

Iced Gingerbread Chai Latte

The Roast 420 San Juan Ave.

The mood and atmosphere alone will put you in the fall mood. From the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans to the unique gowler lights, the roast is a sure fall favorite stop. For those warmer fall days try this creation. Sweet & refreshing with a little flair!

The Roast reflection

Pumpkin Pie Latte

Milagros Coffee House 529 Main St.

On the corner of Main and State in Alamosa you might be inticed to explore the sounds and smells of Milagros Coffee house. A popular hangout for those roaming downtown Alamosa and a great stop for a break from shopping. Try the Pumpkin Pie Latte for that traditional twist on fall.

Milagros 2

All three coffee houses offer a variety of flavors for the fall season. Stop in and taste for yourself!

How to Spend 48 Hours in Southern Colorado (And Why You Should)

It takes just under four hours to make the drive from Colorado’s Front Range to Alamosa, but this hot spot in the San Luis Valley feels way farther from city life than that. Between the wide-open views of the valley, the craggy Sangre de Cristos, the mighty Rio Grande River, and one incredible national park and preserve, there’s no shortage of adventure to be had in and around Alamosa. For an off-the-beaten-path experience (and minimal travel time), Alamosa is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.

Where to Get Caffeinated

The jury’s still out about whether breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, but there’s no denying that coffee is crucial to fueling all-day adventures—and breakfast burritos don’t hurt, either.

For your first cup of the day, head to The Roast, the San Luis Valley’s newest local coffee roastery. The funky, exposed-brick interior shares the spotlight with the San Luis Valley Brewing Company, and also serves a handful of affordable breakfast items.

Looking for a sit-down breakfast? Head to Milagros Coffee House, easily the most popular morning hangout in town—and for good reason. It’s easy to find something on the menu for those with dietary restrictions—it can be tough to find soy milk and vegan breakfast burritos in smaller towns—and yet manages to retain its totally unpretentious atmosphere.

Where to Find Adventure

Whether you’re up for hiking, mountain biking, climbing, or even sandboarding, Alamosa is the ideal base camp.

The town is just 35 miles from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America—and the spectacular dunefield covers nearly 19,000 acres. Visitors to the park can hike up the dunes, camp in the dunefield, or head into the backcountry on the park’s Sand Ramp Trail. Those looking for novelty can rent a sandboard or sand sled and take a ride down the dunes.

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are also home to 10 Fourteeners—the Colorado nickname for peaks more than 14,000 feet in elevation—and many are appropriate for a long dayhike or an overnighter. The 14,345-foot Blanca Peak, the fourth-highest summit in the state, is a beautiful hike, but it's long approach makes it perfect for camping at Lake Como and hitting the summit the next day. Routes up the mountain are long, varying between 11 and 17 miles, and some are fairly technical; be prepared for high altitude and rapidly changing weather. For a mellower hike, head to Penitente Canyon, where there’s also a lifetime’s worth of sport climbing.

Alamosa also has the distinction of being on the banks of the 1,896-mile Rio Grande River. The Bureau of Land Management maintains the Rio Grande Recreation Area, about 45 miles southeast of town, which boasts excellent fishing and flatwater paddling opportunities.

Mountain biking, too, has grown exponentially in the San Luis Valley; tons of new bike trails are being built each year. Penitente Canyon is home to more than a dozen trails. The Stone Quarry Trails, recently improved thanks to efforts by nonprofit stewardship group Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, are a blast for beginner/intermediate cyclists.

Where to Unwind

Not much tastes better after a long day of adventure than a cold, locally brewed beer. When you’re done exploring for the day, head to the San Luis Valley Brewing Company, which features six standards and a couple of rotating taps, all made in-house. The menu also includes homemade sausages, along with great burgers and sandwiches—and delicious “hoppy hour” specials.

Thanks to its location in Southern Colorado, Alamosa is also home to several authentic Mexican restaurants. El Super Taco has an extensive salsa bar and great value; Calvillo's has a well-earned reputation for excellent green chili, which is really saying something around here.

Where to Get a Good Night's Rest

If you’re looking to pitch a tent (or park an RV), head to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, where you’ll be just steps from the action—and the incredible views. With 88 sites (half reservable, half first-come, first-serve; both $20/night), Piñon Flats Campground is the place to be. If sites are full (or, come October, closed), head to the primitive Zapata Falls Campground ($11/night), maintained by the BLM, which is open year-round.

Not pitching a tent? Head to the Great Sand Dunes Lodge, just minutes from the national park, where you’ll get a prime view of the dunes and the gorgeous Sangre de Cristos. For a full-value experience, make reservations at Zapata Ranch—a working cattle and bison guest ranch, owned by the Nature Conservancy—and become immersed in the San Luis Valley’s rich agricultural scene.

Originally written by RootsRated for Alamosa CVB.

Great Sand Dunes Activities

Sandboarding and Sledding

For years, visitors have been sledding down the Great Sand Dunes in plastic toboggans, rounded saucers, and even cardboard. As most visitors soon found out, the saucers and cardboard do not work very well whatsoever. Adventuresome and creative people soon developed boards specifically made for sand, featuring extra slick bases. These new boards are the ideal tool for surfing down the dunes. Sandboarding, sledding, and skiing are permitted anywhere on the dunefield away from vegetated areas. The park does not rent or sell sandboards, but they can be rented at Kristi Mountain Sports, (719) 589-9759.

Did you know? The oldest rocks in the park are metamorphic (biotite schist and gneiss) estimated at 1.7 billion years old, making them some of the oldest rocks within the National Park System!

Beach and Sandbox

Experience the beach like nowhere else on earth, surrounded by majestic mountain peaks and the stunning beauty of the dunes. Medano Creek, also known as "Colorado's Natural Beach", is a popular seasonal stream enjoyed by all ages. The creek runs intermittently—depending on the season—at the base of the dunes. Expect the most water in late spring and early summer. Bring beach toys, sunblock, and plenty of drinking water. Click here to view more on current creek conditions.

Hiking In The Great Sand Dunes

Explore any part of the 30 square mile dunefield you wish; there are no designated trails in the sand. A dunes-accessible wheelchair is available for free loan at the Visitor Center. In summer months, plan to hike the dunes in morning or evening to avoid 150F degree sand temperatures or thunderstorms. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is open 24-hours-a-day, every day of the year. You can hike on the dunes at any time and explore any part of the 30 square mile dunefield you wish; there are no designated trails in the sand.

There are a variety of other hiking options as well; forested trails, alpine trails, grasslands, and wetlands. The region's geology and biology make it unique among our national parks and a fascinating place to explore. You can choose a day hike or stay overnight in the backcountry. Find everything you need to know to plan your excursion here.

Sleeping on the Great Sand Dunes and Camping Nearby

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is open 24-hours-a-day, every day of the year. A free permit from the Visitor Center is required if you plan to camp on the dunes at night. Free backcountry permits are also required for overnight backpacking trips originating in the national park. Inquire at the Visitor Center for site availability, current conditions, and your permit. Please note that permits must be obtained in person during Visitor Center hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in the summer; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the fall, spring, and winter. Permits are not available in advance, or after Visitor Center hours. Plan to use Leave No Trace guidelines.

Medano Pass Primitive Road (high-clearance 4WD vehicles required) roadside camping is only permitted at 21 marked, numbered campsites in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve (part of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, beginning 5.2 miles from where the pavement ends in the National Park). These sites are indicated with a brown post and camping symbol and are free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. All 21 sites fill on summer holiday weekends, and often on other summer weekends.

Camping Reservations:

Piñon Flats is a National Park Service campground located one mile north of the Visitor Center, open April through October. You can make a reservation here.

88 Individual sites
3 Group Sites
Restrooms with sinks, flush toilets, and a sink for dishwashing
Each site has a fire grate and picnic table
Some sites have large cottonwood or conifer trees for shade, while others are more out in the open with smaller piñon trees
A few sites can fit RVs up to 35 feet in length
No hookups
Individual campsites have a maximum capacity of 8 people, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles (including towed vehicles/trailers).
A 50% discount applies to senior pass and access pass holders.

Nearby Camping:

Oasis Campground - located just outside the national park entrance. 90 sites total: RV sites with full hookups, tent sites, and camping cabins. Showers, laundry, restaurant, and store on site. Open April through October. Follow the link or call 719-378-2222.

Zapata Falls Campground - primitive campground on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, located 11 miles south of the park Visitor Center, at 9000 feet in elevation. Spectacular views of the entire dunefield and valley. No water; pit toilets; fire rings at each site. $11 per night. Open year round; dirt road is not plowed in winter, but many vehicles drive on it, packing down the snow.

San Luis State Park Campground - located 15 miles west of Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center. 1-800-678-2267 for reservations, 719-378-2020 for ranger station in summer. Hookups are available. No trees in the campground. Lake is absent in dry years. Wetland area closed to the public for nesting season February 15-July 15.

Sand Dunes Swimming Pool and Campground - privately owned facility located 30 miles west of Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center, 2 miles north of Hooper, CO. RV sites with hookups, tent sites, cabins, geothermal swimming pool, organic produce, salads and hot food items. Open year round, 719-378-2807.

KOA Alamosa Campground - 34 miles from Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center, 4 miles east of Alamosa. RVs, hookups, tents, cabins. Open warmer months only. Reserve: 1-800-562-9157 Info: 719-589-9757.

Economy Campground - 35 miles southwest of Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center, 3 miles east of Alamosa. Full hook-ups, dump station, open year round, showers, go cart course, pets welcome. 719-589-5574

Cool Sunshine RV Park - located 36 miles southwest of Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center, in the city of Alamosa. RV sites with hookups and tent sites, outdoor games, artificial putting green and within walking distance of Alamosa's downtown. 719-992-9105

Blanca RV Park - located 27 miles from Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center. in town of Blanca. 719-379-3201.

UFO Watchtower and Campground - located 32 miles from Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center, located north of Hooper on Hwy. 17 Open year round. 719-378-2296.

Photography

If you find yourself passing through the San Luis Valley in winter, perhaps on your way to a ski resort or playing in the backcountry, the Great Sand Dunes are an excellent choice for a rewarding photo shoot.

The dunes are one of those rare places for outstanding photography on any given day under all conditions. Start with whatever camera you have available including digital and cell phone cameras. It's simply a matter of seeing the shot and fearlessly shooting at will. Sometimes out of a hundred pictures three or four absolute treasures will emerge. With today's digital technology it is easy to do that, so fire away!

Sky Gazing

Sunrises, sunsets, galaxies, and clouds that morph and dance across brilliant blue skies provide an ever-changing backdrop to the dunes. Dazzling and magical are accurate descriptive terms of the sky over the dunes.

No light pollution! The Great Sand Dunes provide excellent conditions for star and moon viewing. Star viewing is best on moonless nights. Star charts are available at the Visitor Center.