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? Let us know

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

Chris F

Verified

July 23, 2024 Stayed at: 14, Loop: RV

5

This place was very clean and had a great view of the sunset. One of the highlights of our stay. You have a view of the Great Sand Dunes near the camp entrance. The camp hosts were awesome!

Laura L

Verified

July 19, 2024 Stayed at: 3, Loop: Tent

5

Beautiful site— gorgeous view of the valley. Water would be nice but we were warned so brought plenty.

john e

Verified

July 17, 2024 Stayed at: 18, Loop: RV

4

wonderful view, bathrooms very clean

[email protected] O

Verified

July 17, 2024 Stayed at: 17, Loop: RV

5

Sweet campground right next to Zapata Falls hike. There isn't any shade at this campground, so it was pretty quiet during the hot afternoon. Folks starting rolling in, in the later afternoon and the sunset was amazing. Nice spread out sites with clean pit toilets. Definitely would return.

Keli J

Verified

July 17, 2024 Stayed at: 25, Loop: RV

4

I loved this place high up on a ridge overlooking the valley. The sites are nicely spaced out, and quite affordable, but of course that’s because you’re dry camping. Very close to Great Sand Dunes National Park

Nick M

Verified

July 15, 2024 Stayed at: 14, Loop: RV

4

Nice secluded campground far away and significantly higher elevation from the highway. The sites are generally right on the loop road but are well spaced from each other. I didn't have any trouble with noise from other campers. The two bathrooms are situated on the lower side of the loop with steep shortcuts to traverse from the upper side. If you tend to need the bathroom during the night, you may want to stick to the lower side. The views were spectacular with stunning sunsets across the valley. The lower parking lot to the falls got busy early every day we were there and can make traffic a bit heavy on the drive up from the highway. Overall, a quiet convenient base camp for exploring SDNP.

John G

Verified

July 15, 2024 Stayed at: 25, Loop: RV

5

If you want to go to the Great Sand Dunes and see an amazing sunset, this is the place. It is very basic. They provide dirt and a vault toilet. If you want to camp way above everything and see spectacular magic hour sunsets and sunrises, camp here. Highly recommended. It is very high in altitude and the drive is steep.

Julie R

Verified

July 15, 2024 Stayed at: 16, Loop: RV

5

The site was small but what a view! And the camp host was very nice and maintained the place clean

Christopher B

Verified

July 13, 2024 Stayed at: 18, Loop: RV

5

Loved it. Quiet and perfect.

Alexa P

Verified

July 11, 2024 Stayed at: 19, Loop: RV

3

Beautiful views from the campground! Arrived to find people occupying our site who said they assumed it was first come first serve (there were signs saying otherwise). The campsite was very odd... the picnic table was up a steep rocky hill, and the fire ring was at the bottom of the hill next to the road/parking spot. Both our kids fell down on the hill at least once! We ended up just setting up our chairs by the fire pit, which was between our rv and the hill. There was easy access to the Zapata Falls trail from the campground. I think we would have enjoyed it more if we had a different site.

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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