Zapata Falls Campground

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

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

37 total sites

Tent Sites

37 sites

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 feet 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.

Number of accommodations: 37

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?

Report Incorrect Information

Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Zapata Falls Campground.

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
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
11, Loop: Tent Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
12, Loop: Tent Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
13, Loop: Tent Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
14, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
15, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
16, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
17, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
18, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
19, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
2, Loop: Tent Tent
15 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
20, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
21, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
22, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
23, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
24, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
25, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
26, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
27, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
28, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
29, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
3, Loop: Tent Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
30, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
31, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
32, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
33, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
34, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
35, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
36, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
37, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
38, Loop: RV Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
4, Loop: Tent Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
5, Loop: Tent Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
6, Loop: Tent Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
7, Loop: Tent Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
8, Loop: Tent Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
9, Loop: Tent Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (472)

What Guests Are Saying

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.

Review Summary

4.5
472 reviews
5
67.2%
317
4
19.5%
92
3
8.7%
41
2
2.5%
12
1
2.1%
10

Kevin S

Verified

December 8, 2025 Stayed at: 7, Loop: Tent

2

Very few sites had flat spots for a regular sized tent.
Most sites were very small, close together and on a slant. You could tell that they tried to level out a tent space for at least one of the lower sites but it still wasn't that flat.
Very little shade or privacy, and pretty windy because of that, but in november there was only 1-2 other groups with us so privacy wasn't an issue.
After seeing our original site we were lucky that there was barely anyone else there because we ended up buying a second site so that we could sleep on flatter ground.
However, our biggest problem with this campground wasn't the size or shapes of the sites. After moving to the second campground and beginning to set up camp we realized that our bear box was full of trash! Half drank hot chocolates, paper plates and fried chicken waste, and worst of all a literal loaded diaper. Gross. I don't blame any one else but the rude people who left the trash, but it would be nice it it had been cleaned between visits.
That being said, this campsite is only 20 minutes from great sand dunes and has an amazing view of the san luis valley. Also the sunset was amazing.

Justin M

Verified

December 6, 2025 Stayed at: 15, Loop: RV

5

We loved this little campground. Perched high up on the side of the mountain, we had excellent views to the west of the San Luis Valley. The camping spots were very well laid out, and the toilets were well maintained. The short hike to Zapata Falls was beautiful. We will definitely return!!

Charles W

Verified

November 28, 2025 Stayed at: 11, Loop: Tent

3

I liked the distance from the highway and fantastic hiking beginning immediately at my tent site and traveling either up a challenging ridge or around the established path to falls and lake beyond

We did have some noisy moments at night, someone driving through honking incessantly past midnight once and people walking into the wrong campsite talking loudly at 2am once

Campgrounds themselves are perfect for my needs overall otherwise

Ausra A

Verified

November 21, 2025 Stayed at: 18, Loop: RV

5

Great campground close to the dunes. One loop dedicated to tents and the other loop to RVs. All sites are right off the road. Some are better than others. We boondocked during the week with our travel trailer. Spot 21 up against the forest. Shorter trailers have more camp site choices. We have a 16’ teardrop. Paved road right up to campground loops. Campground offers Vaulted toilets, fire rings,
Trash cans, bear proof storage boxes and picnic tables. Very well maintained campground. Superior views of plateau and alamosa at night if you like looking at twinkly city lights. Or you can just turn around and look east to the mtns. Stars were bright. We stayed for two nights. Short hike to Zapata Falls. Dog friendly.

Emily B

Verified

November 17, 2025 Stayed at: 4, Loop: Tent

5

campground close to trail entrance, bathrooms adequate (no running water), decent views. Good option for being close to Great Sand Dunes. We drove to the park to see the stars due to some light pollution at the campsite.

Richard R

Verified

November 13, 2025 Stayed at: 17, Loop: RV

5

This is a hidden gem of a campground. We were in the last week in October and almost had the place to ourselves. The views were amazing, day and night. Bear boxes and secure garbage bins. Some of the cleanest bathrooms I’ve ever seen in a campground.
Did I mention the views? :)
We will definitely go back.

Richard S

Verified

November 12, 2025 Stayed at: 21, Loop: RV

4

Sites are spread out pretty well and site 21 was fairly level for my van. The view down into the valley was spectacular, especially at sunset and sunrise. Bathrooms were clean. One of the better BLM campgrounds we’ve stayed at.

Paula L

Verified

November 12, 2025 Stayed at: 25, Loop: RV

4

Beautiful views

Michelle K

Verified

November 11, 2025 Stayed at: 3, Loop: Tent

5

Great campground located close to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Incredible views! Clean vault toilets and nice sixed spaces.

Maksat J

Verified

November 9, 2025 Stayed at: 12, Loop: Tent

4

There wasn’t a source of water other than you would have to hike up and bring it yourself from the river.

Location Zapata Falls Campground

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

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.

Elevation: 2368 feet

Distance to downtown

40 mi drive to downtown Monte Vista (about 43 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


Last updated: September 10, 2026

Bureau of Land Management Logo
Managed by Bureau of Land Management