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
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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

Susan C

Verified

September 26, 2025 Stayed at: 24, Loop: RV

4

Very peaceful and nice views of the valley - great if you are happy dry docking or tenting. The road up is paved, but narrow and very winding. The RV spaces are only sort of level - and I certainly would not be excited to bring up a long trailer or 5th wheel. We were in site 25 and because we had a quite short trailer (about 17'), we could back in at one end - and that was significantly more level than attempting to "pull through" the long way. Several of the tent sites you have to climb a bit from where you park your car to get to the table, bear box, fire ring, and tent pad. And it is rocky terrain. So long as you go in expecting it to be a bit rustic and want that quieter, off the grid experience, it's great. If you're looking for lots of amenities, to for one of the RV parks in the valley.

Mary B

Verified

September 25, 2025 Stayed at: 18, Loop: RV

5

Beautiful campsites, the falls were so cool.

Robert C

Verified

September 24, 2025 Stayed at: 14, Loop: RV

5

Mid September stay. We had beautiful weather. Clean, quiet and great views. Easy hike to Zappata Falls.

Pete H

Verified

September 19, 2025 Stayed at: 14, Loop: RV

3

Do not like the $8 fee for booking

Danny B

Verified

September 16, 2025 Stayed at: 12, Loop: Tent

5

Great campground with amazing views of the valley and surrounding mountains, especially from sites 12 and 13. Site 12 provided great shade for both the tent and table areas. Very clean campsites and bathrooms. Pads to set up tents might be a little small for some. We have an REI Basecamp 4 and it took up about 95% of the area. Definitely want to set up guylines for your tent too as your on a pretty exposed mountainside. Wind wasn't bad while we were there but still better safe than sorry.

Blake B

Verified

September 16, 2025 Stayed at: 16, Loop: RV

5

Very pleasant and well kept campground. Hike to falls was nice.

Kevin T

Verified

September 15, 2025 Stayed at: 21, Loop: RV

5

Great views! Clean pit toilets, appeared trash cans were emptied regularly. Would visit again.

Kerry S

Verified

September 14, 2025 Stayed at: 14, Loop: RV

5

Beautiful

Bart J

Verified

September 14, 2025 Stayed at: 23, Loop: RV

5

We stayed in Site 23 with a 27-foot Airstream TT and it was spectacular. Views from the campground of the valley and Great Sand Dunes NP was gorgeous. Site was long and very private, but many sites there are just along the road and you have to do stairs to get to picnic table, fire ring, etc., so check out the pictures of the site before booking. Very inexpensive, pit toilets were as expected. Road up is windy but paved until you get to the campground, which is small so not a lot of driving once there. Zapata Falls TH is right there and only 1/2 mi easy hike to get to it, but you will probably get into ankle deep water to see the full falls. Don't miss Great Sand Dunes NP, it is very extraordinary. No campground hosts present, but none needed for us anyway.

kelly m

Verified

September 14, 2025 Stayed at: 16, Loop: RV

5

High altitude, dry camping. Sites are small on a hill overlooking the valley.
Water available. Waterfall hike in camp. Not close to much else but the sand dunes.

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

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