OutReserve

Zapata Falls Campground

Blm San Luis Valley Field Office, Monte Vista, Colorado, United States

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

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

Campground Amenities

  • Pet Friendly
    Pet Friendly

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

Sites & Availability

37 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 10, Loop: Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 11, Loop: Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 12, Loop: Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 13, Loop: Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 14, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 15, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 16, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 17, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 18, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 19, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 2, Loop: Tent
15 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ 20, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 21, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 22, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 23, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 24, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 25, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 26, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 27, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 28, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 29, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 3, Loop: Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 30, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 31, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 32, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 33, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 34, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 35, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 36, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 37, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 38, Loop: RV
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 4, Loop: Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 5, Loop: Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 6, Loop: Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 7, Loop: Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 8, Loop: Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
⛺ 9, Loop: Tent
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night

Reviews (388)

Verified Only

What Guests Are Saying

Zapata Falls Campground offers stunning views and a great location near Great Sand Dunes National Park, making it an excellent choice for campers seeking solitude and nature. The facilities are well-maintained, with clean bathrooms and ample space between sites, allowing for a peaceful experience. While some campsites have uneven ground and limited privacy, the overall atmosphere and accessibility to hiking trails enhance the camping experience for families and nature lovers alike.

Review Summary

4.5
388 reviews
5
66.2%
257
4
21.4%
83
3
8.5%
33
2
2.3%
9
1
1.5%
6

Erik A

Verified

November 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: Tent

5

We had a wonderful stay on Halloween weekend! The campgrounds were pretty empty, everything was very clean. You wouldn't have known the previous following weekend were all booked solid. Great views and easy access hiking to the falls and Great Sand Dunes NP. Will be back annually.

John M

Verified

November 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: RV

4

Beautiful views, quiet, nice hike to falls, toilet facilities. I liked that I was able to take our dog on hike with us. Also appreciated not having to have reservations.

James H

Verified

October 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: Tent

4

Great location, great views

David H

Verified

October 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: RV

4

We had issues with recreation.gov finding this campground, to make reservations.
Once you arrive, the only indication of a campground is 2-miles after you pull off the road to Great Sand Dunes. The drive to the campground is 2-Miles & 1000Ft Vertical with a number of switchbacks. Our 25ft Trailer did OK, plenty of visibility on the turns for oncoming traffic.

Allison C

Verified

October 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: Tent

5

Great location and super quiet and peaceful. We loved walking from our site straight to Zapata falls. Only a 15 minute drive to the dunes.

Nathan E

Verified

October 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: RV

3

Beautiful views from much of the campground. Nice vault toilets. Most sites are spaced well. Several poor sites (cramped, unlevel). No water source. Sites are not marked as reserved. There was someone set up in our site. After waiting for them to return we had to drag their tents out of the site at dark.

Susan S

Verified

October 22, 2022 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: RV

5

Sites were spotless and a gorgeous sunset viewpoint. Right near the Great Sand Dunes

Renee K

Verified

October 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: RV

5

The spacing between the sites were extremely generous, level, incredible views & lack of campfires so that we could breath fresh mountain air. It was also very quiet. Loved it!!

Walter J

Verified

October 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: RV

5

Well maintained grounds with clean restrooms..

Nick J

Verified

October 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: Tent

5

Beautiful views and nice neighbors

Location Zapata Falls Campground

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

Latitude & Longitude: 37.6286 / -105.595

Elevation: 2368 feet

Map of Zapata Falls Campground location at Monte Vista, CO, United States
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Policies & Rules

Category About
General

• All recreation is at your own risk.
• The 3.5-mile road to the Zapata Falls Campground & Day-use Area is currently being upgraded and some minor delays may exist. 
• There is currently no drinking water in the campground or day-use area. Bring plenty of water and do not drink from streams or lakes.
• Check-in time is after 1:00 p.m. on the first day of the reservation.
• Check-out time is no later than 12:00 p.m. on the last day of the reservation. 
• If the reservation holder doesn't show up on the first day of the reservation, the campsite is released at check-in time (1 pm) the next day.
• There are no hookup services.  
• Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
• Fires are only allowed in BLM approved metal fire rings.
• Individual Tent Campsites are limited to 6 people, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles (plus 1 trailer) per site. 
• Only 1 RV/trailer per RV campsite.
• The Group Campsite is limited to 15 people, 5 tents, and 4 vehicles (plus 1 trailer).
• No overnight RV/trailer camping in day use parking areas.
• Food should be stored in the bear proof food storage lockers provided.  
• This is a high elevation campground. Be prepared to take cover during afternoon thunderstorms.  
• Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
• Pack it in, pack it out. In the backcountry, be prepared to carry out your garbage and dispose of it properly. Trash bins are located throughout the campground and day-use area.
• The half-mile trail to the falls is rocky and steep. Wear appropriate shoes to hike the trail and wade in the cold waters of the creek, which is the only way to reach the falls. 
• The waterfall and the area around it are on Colorado State Land Board property and subject to their regulations and restrictions.
• Water levels will rise during spring run-off sometimes causing dangerous swift water. Be careful. Use caution along the riverbank. During winter beware of ice.
• Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the Zapata Falls and South Zapata Lake trails and in the U.S. Forest Service’s Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. Motorized travel is allowed only on designated roads.
• Be considerate of others and share the trail.
• Always keep pets under control.

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