Zapata Falls Campground

I had campsite #4 booked. I new in advance there was room for two tents. However, upon arrival, we immediately realized that neither clearings would be large enough for any of the 3 tent options we brought. The campsite was entirely too small for a spot that allows two cars and two tents. Luckily, a friend in the group we camped with had an extra rv reservation for someone who could not attend. We were able to set up our two tents there instead. It was quite disappointing that the spot I'd paid for and booked couldn't accommodate what it was advertised to. Fortunately, we had the other spot to use. But tent camping in the tent camping site would have been nice as it was surrounded by trees and softer dirt vs the gravel at the rv spot.
Aside from that, the bathrooms were well maintained and the campsite was very clean.

As a newer campground the spaces are reasonably spaced (not too close) and the vault toilets are new and work as intended without much of any odor. The views over the valley are fantastic. This is a great starting point for the Sand Dunes, where you really want to enter before 10 am if the creek is running, or if it is hot out (hot sand= burnt skin).

I also recommend going over to the hot springs in Hooper (go early if it's hot out, as the water is hot in all pools- they open at 10 a.m. but closed on Thursdays), the Gater Farm was much better than I expected and totally worth it especially with kids, and don't miss renting sand boards at the Oasis for sledding or boarding down the dunes. The Oasis also has most of your basic needs like ice, and the food was reasonably good for a small cafe.

An after- dinner hike to Zapata Falls is the best timing in the summer to avoid heat and crowds (you can walk from the campground). It's a shortish, rocky, uphill hike, but you will be in frigid, rocky water at the end if you want to see the falls, so a change of shoes is recommended.

Lastly, if you're going to want to take the rugged road out onto the sand within the park you will need to let some air out of you 4WD tires, so you'll want an air compressor to get them back to normal.

We loved our spot which was at the top of the campground and had views of the whole valley. It was nice to be close to the Great Sand Dunes.

We really enjoyed our stay. The view was amazing, the space was level and easily accessible. The hike to the falls was fairly quick and the trail maintained. The area is quiet and peaceful.

Campground has awsome views and is close to Sand Dunes National Park. Clean vault toilets and campsites. We stayed in site 3.

Spacious spots with a good amount of privacy from neighbors. Cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen in my life!

Incredible views of the valley! 35ft 5th wheel fit just fine with the truck along side. The fire pit, bear box, and picnic table are up a small hill. If mobility is an issue or may be differently to enjoy. Absolutely we'll be back!

Large campsite with room for 3 tents. This campsite felt very private but none of the areas to set up our tent were close to flat and we had to put rocks under the picnic table to make it flat too.

Beautiful site and campground with an amazing view.

The road up to the campground and trail is paved and in good condition. We had a pull-beside site. Nice campground with stellar views. Vault toilets were clean. We enjoyed our stay!