View of Great Sand Dunes NPP from Zapata Falls CG
Zapata Falls Campground1
Zapata Falls Info
Zapata Falls Recreation Area Map & Info
Zapata Falls Campground

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

About Zapata Falls Campground

A short drive up the gravel road that leads to the Bureau of Land Management’s Zapata Falls Campground (CG) will let visitors to the area see the San Luis Valley and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve from a whole new perspective. The campground offers bird’s-eye views of the valley floor below, the San Juan Mountains to the west, the adjacent Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and several 14er’s and many other towering peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range that Zapata Falls CG sits on — not to mention spectacular sunrises, sunsets and night skies!   Zapata Falls CG has 23 single campsites, 1 group site and 1 camp host site nestled among piñon pines along two one-mile long loops. The sites on one loop are designed for tent campers. Parking spurs on the second loop vary a little in length but in general can handle RVs, towed campers, or other configurations of vehicles up to about 50 ft long.   A new trailhead in the campground supplies a link to the South Zapata Creek Trail and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. A second trail, next door to the campground in the day-use area, leads visitors on a mildly steep half-mile hike to Zapata Falls, which gives the campground its name.

Available sites

37 total sites

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 1 to Oct 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

37 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 10, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 11, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 12, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 13, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 14, Loop: RV Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 15, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 16, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 17, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 18, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 19, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 2, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 20, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 21, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 22, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 23, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 24, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 25, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 26, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 27, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 28, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 29, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 3, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 30, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 31, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 32, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 33, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 34, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 35, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 36, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 37, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 38, Loop: RV Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 4, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 5, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 6, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 7, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 8, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 9, Loop: Tent Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews

502 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Zapata Falls Campground offers stunning views of the San Luis Valley and the Great Sand Dunes, with clean and well-maintained facilities, including restrooms and spacious campsites. The short hike to Zapata Falls is highly recommended, providing a beautiful experience for families and hikers alike. While some campers noted issues with wind and insects, the overall atmosphere is peaceful and the camp hosts are attentive, making it a great base for exploring the area.

Based on guest feedback

4.5

Overall rating

Based on 502 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 67.3% (338)
4 stars 18.9% (95)
3 stars 8.6% (43)
2 stars 2.6% (13)
1 star 2.6% (13)

Showing 502 reviews

W M

Verified

October 6, 2026 Stayed at: 17, Loop: RV

Steep access road but worth the climb! There are some campsites with incredible views. The sites are well spaced for privacy and it was very quiet.

Helpful

Kay E

Verified

October 6, 2026 Stayed at: 21, Loop: RV

The sites were a bit too close so there was little privacy.

Helpful

Jennifer R

Verified

October 6, 2026 Stayed at: 36, Loop: RV

The new road and the new camping spaces overlooking the Great Sand Dunes are awesome!! very well constructed.

Helpful

Shyloh B

Verified

September 29, 2026 Stayed at: 10, Loop: Tent

The campsite was clean and spacious. Everything was easy to access or locate. Definitely bring extra blankets because the wind never stops blowing and it can get chilly!! We hiked the trail to Zapata Falls, bring rubber boots for that hike! The sunset views were beautiful!! It is a short trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park, which you can glimpse a peak at from the campground areas. If you are looking for a nice campsite to stay on your adventure this year or the next, think about adding this place to your rest stops.

Helpful

Patrick M

Verified

September 23, 2026 Stayed at: 35, Loop: RV

Beautiful campsite, great views. Great new-looking picnic table/fire ring area, well maintained.

Helpful

Tyler C

Verified

September 22, 2026 Stayed at: 17, Loop: RV

Great spot, great views, great hosts! Clean bathrooms too!

Helpful

Kristin C

Verified

September 22, 2026 Stayed at: 9, Loop: Tent

It was such a lovely surprise to learn about this campground just outside of Great Sand Dunes national Park. Very well maintained and clean. Well spaced sites that allowed for more space and privacy. I will be sure to stay there again!

Helpful

Beverly R

Verified

September 22, 2026 Stayed at: 13, Loop: Tent

EXCELLENT campground! The view was beautiful so high above the San Luis Valley. There was a spectacular sunset.

Helpful

Roy H

Verified

September 20, 2026 Stayed at: 37, Loop: RV

Every thing was perfect.

Helpful

Christopher R

Verified

September 18, 2026 Stayed at: 36, Loop: RV

Great campsite with incredible views of Great Sand Dunes N.P.! A perfect base for any activities in the San Luis Valley.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Zapata Falls Campground

Blm San Luis Valley Field Office, Monte Vista, CO 81144 United States

Elevation: 2,368 ft

Nearest town

Monte Vista, CO - 40 mi

About 43 min to downtown

Highway access

Zapata Falls Campground is accessible via US Highway 160, which is approximately 20 miles to the north, and State Highway 150, which is about 12 miles to the east.

Near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

The closest entrance is: Great Sand Dunes Entrance Station

Approximate drive: 9.6 mi · 16 min

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

1PM

Check out time

12PM

General

  • • Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 24, 2026

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Explore Monte Vista, CO

Population: 4,141

Nearby city: Pueblo, CO

Approx. 69 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 7,664 ft

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