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

Rahel K

Verified

July 18, 2026 Stayed at: 17, Loop: RV

4

We were amazed by the stunning far views! Almost looks like the savanna in Africa. The falls were pretty too! Always busy, even in the evening. (We went in July). It's definitely a hot spot, not much shade, but the views make up for that. We will come back.

James C

Verified

July 17, 2026 Stayed at: 12, Loop: Tent

5

Good views of the San Luis Valley / Dunes. Clean and accessible campsites. Dirt road around camp is a little rough so plan accordingly with the vehicle you bring

Sara S

Verified

July 9, 2026 Stayed at: 12, Loop: Tent

5

It was our baby’s first camping experience, so having all the amenities was crucial. Felt safe and thoroughly enjoyed the view. Sincerely thankful.

Mary M

Verified

July 9, 2026 Stayed at: 31, Loop: RV

5

Wonderful views and close access to the trail to the falls.

Amanda F

Verified

July 7, 2026 Stayed at: 13, Loop: Tent

2

Overall this was a pretty terrible campsite. Our tent was right next to the road along with table and hang out area. We could get stakes driven into the ground in the area or tent could fit so we had to use rocks to secure the tent because it was windy and there's no protection from the wind at all. I think if you have a camper these sites are fine but I wouldn't tent camp at this campground again.

Julia K

Verified

July 6, 2026 Stayed at: 30, Loop: RV

1

So disappointed!! I booked the tent site #13, the view looked great, and it had indeed a great view, but couldn't enjoy it because of the super strong wind. But most of all, where were we supposed to install our tents?! This site is absolutely not adapted for tents, there is no flat spot!! We ended up having to book an RV site (got lucky that there was one left there), having, of course, to pay twice as we couldn't get a reimbursement for the first one on the day of.

Raymond L

Verified

July 5, 2026 Stayed at: 23, Loop: RV

5

Very nice sites with great views. No hookups.

ARI M

Verified

July 4, 2026 Stayed at: 24, Loop: RV

5

Spectacular views await atop the switch backs that lead to this camp, complete with a parking area for a quick hiking trail with a gorgeous hidden water fall at the end (water crossing involved). Facilities and amenities well stocked and taken care of. Plentiful space within each campground.

A short 30 minute drive to great sand dunes from here!

Sarah R

Verified

July 4, 2026 Stayed at: 13, Loop: Tent

3

It was so windy my tent broke. Bring bug spray, the gnats in the evening are annoying. The view was phenomenal. Would try a different campground next time.

Douglas B

Verified

July 3, 2026 Stayed at: 17, Loop: RV

5

Nice area. Great views. No issues. Very basic campground but that's the point. Hike to falls is close. Great views of the sand dunes to the north, large valley to the west/south, and a 14,XXX to the east.

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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Managed by Bureau of Land Management