Amanda's Guidebook to the San Luis Valley
Sightseeing
The dunes are beautiful but I especially love the trails in the park/preserve! Go explore!
Park at the “horse trailer lot” right before the primitive road. Hike toward the dunes from there for a different view and fewer people. Look for deer and coyotes!
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Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
The dunes are beautiful but I especially love the trails in the park/preserve! Go explore!
Park at the “horse trailer lot” right before the primitive road. Hike toward the dunes from there for a different view and fewer people. Look for deer and coyotes!
In the winter the lake is frozen and beautiful. This is a great place to get a different view of the dunes with the mountains behind. Also good for letting dogs play and is usually not busy.
San Luis Lake
In the winter the lake is frozen and beautiful. This is a great place to get a different view of the dunes with the mountains behind. Also good for letting dogs play and is usually not busy.
Zapata Falls is just a couple miles up the road! When you turn off the highway, the road up to the trail/falls is rough and slow but totally worth it.
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Zapata Falls
Zapata Falls TrailZapata Falls is just a couple miles up the road! When you turn off the highway, the road up to the trail/falls is rough and slow but totally worth it.
A hidden gem with critters to watch and mountain views. A great spot to spend an afternoon or morning on the way to or from town.
Blanca Wetlands, BLM
A hidden gem with critters to watch and mountain views. A great spot to spend an afternoon or morning on the way to or from town.
UFO Watchtower
Colorado 17Quirky little stop not far from here!
A little bit of a drive past Alamosa but if you enjoy birding and beautiful places and drives, it’s worth the trip. Monte Vista does have a cute coffee shop, thrift store, and grocery/fast food.
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Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
6120 CO-15A little bit of a drive past Alamosa but if you enjoy birding and beautiful places and drives, it’s worth the trip. Monte Vista does have a cute coffee shop, thrift store, and grocery/fast food.
A little ways down a bumpy gravel road but it leads to a beautiful lake! 30-45 minutes from The Dunes Place and the Loft of the Dunes.
Watch for eagles, hawks, antelope, deer and elk as you drive.
Mountain Home Reservoir, Colorado 81133, l-Istati Uniti
A little ways down a bumpy gravel road but it leads to a beautiful lake! 30-45 minutes from The Dunes Place and the Loft of the Dunes.
Watch for eagles, hawks, antelope, deer and elk as you drive.
Beautiful drive about an hour from Alamosa. See mountains, enjoy the Conejos River, plenty of places to fish.
Just look on your phone maps and see all the forest service roads you can explore.
Or keep going up and over the pass into Chama, NM!
Elk Creek Campground
Forest 250 RdBeautiful drive about an hour from Alamosa. See mountains, enjoy the Conejos River, plenty of places to fish.
Just look on your phone maps and see all the forest service roads you can explore.
Or keep going up and over the pass into Chama, NM!
If you’re in the area for more than a night or if you are heading South on your trip, visit Taos!! The drive is beautiful through historic San Luis, CO and it’s just over an hour and a half to Taos from here!
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Taos
If you’re in the area for more than a night or if you are heading South on your trip, visit Taos!! The drive is beautiful through historic San Luis, CO and it’s just over an hour and a half to Taos from here!
Food scene
I haven’t had anything I didn’t like.
And you MUST get an empanada for dessert. Apple and cherry empanadas like you’ve never tasted.
Nino's Del Sol LLC
326 Main StI haven’t had anything I didn’t like.
And you MUST get an empanada for dessert. Apple and cherry empanadas like you’ve never tasted.
Milagros Coffee House
529 Main StLocal coffee and breakfast!
Thai House
Our favorite Thai food and sushi!
San Luis Valley Brewing Company
631 Main StCoffee, beer, food.
AMAZING ice cream creations run by fantastic people! You might even be served by one of Miss Koth’s former students :)
Frosty Acres Rolled Ice Cream
AMAZING ice cream creations run by fantastic people! You might even be served by one of Miss Koth’s former students :)
My Brothers Place
613 Main StreetA little bit of a drive but Del Norte is a beautiful Colorado town near lots of hiking. This brewery has good local craft beer and delicious pizza.
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Three Barrel Brewing Co
475 Grand AveA little bit of a drive but Del Norte is a beautiful Colorado town near lots of hiking. This brewery has good local craft beer and delicious pizza.
Papa Murphy's Take-n-Bake Pizza
SquarePeg Brewerks
625 Main StThe Purple Pig Pizzeria & Pub
624 Main StShopping
Places to get essentials or make emergency stops on your trip.
Walmart Supercenter
3333 Clark StSafeway
1301 Main StCity Market
131 Market StGood, inexpensive groceries
Walgreens
Newly built. If you are coming from La Veta Pass this will be the only store you will see between Walsenburg and Alamosa.
Dollar General
Newly built. If you are coming from La Veta Pass this will be the only store you will see between Walsenburg and Alamosa.
Gas
The Mosca Pit Stop
The nearest place to get gas. 20 miles from the National Park.
Loaf N Jug
Gas station as you head in to Alamosa.
Conoco
Fort Garland gas station on hwy 160 east of Blanca (at the western base of La Veta Pass).
City Market Fuel Center
Alamosa gas station in town by grocery store.
Pariri dwar il-belt
Kif tista' tmur minn post għall-ieħor
Don’t underestimate the roads in winter!
If you don’t have 4wd, be especially careful on the roads throughout the valley. It gets very windy and there are often wet/frozen patches along the highways. Take it easy, watch for wildlife, and listen to the Sand Dunes Visitor Center if the roads are snowy/icy. I tend to drive slow and be especially aware of the winds. Better safe than sorry!
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Sunscreen and Bug Spray
No matter the season, bring sunscreen and don’t forget to use it!!! Chapstick with SPF is also a must. Bug spray is important in the summer but probably worth packing anytime just in case. SUNSCREEN- we are closer to the sun here!
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40 minute drive to groceries
Plan ahead for shopping/groceries because you will be about a 40 minute drive to the nearest town.