OutReserve

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

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
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

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

Reviews (392)

What Guests Are Saying

Zapata Falls Campground offers stunning views of the San Luis Valley and nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers. The campground is well-maintained, featuring clean bathrooms, spacious sites, and easy access to scenic hiking trails, including a short hike to the falls. While some sites may be sloped and privacy can vary, the overall experience is enhanced by the serene environment and excellent amenities, making it a highly recommended destination for camping enthusiasts.

Review Summary

4.5
392 reviews
5
66.1%
259
4
21.4%
84
3
8.7%
34
2
2.3%
9
1
1.5%
6

Lois V

Verified

May 2, 2022 Stayed at: 4, Loop: Tent

5

Perfect site for Eurovan camper or tent. Quick trip to the Great Sand Dunes. Quiet with friendly campers!

Jeffrey B

Verified

May 2, 2022 Stayed at: 14, Loop: RV

4

Nice size site with really good views. The fire pit was completely full and needed work to use.

Katy C

Verified

April 23, 2022 Stayed at: 2, Loop: Tent

5

Nice, spread out campsite. Very close to a super easy and short trail to the falls, or a long hike to a lake. Also very close to the national park.

Shawna A

Verified

April 2, 2022 Stayed at: 12, Loop: Tent

4

Such a beautiful location! The sites are nice and don’t feel squished together. Campsite is well maintained. It’s up quite a rough road so make sure your car can handle it!

Daniel V

Verified

March 28, 2022 Stayed at: 8, Loop: Tent

4

Beautiful and quiet spot with amazing views. Right next to the roughly half mile trail to the falls. Just be careful when it’s frozen. It’s very easy to take a fall.
Biggest complaint was that the trash was piled up for the entire three days that we were there. I know it was during off-season but the camp host was there at least once during our stay.

Last thing, know where your campsite is in relation to the TWO bathroom stations that are currently set up. Site 17 would be perfect for views and bathroom access.

Morgan W

Verified

March 27, 2022 Stayed at: 3, Loop: Tent

4

Nice camping spot with awesome views. Perfect location with the falls and dunes right there. Though when we went, the trash was overflowing in several spots and the vault toilets were in need of cleaning. There was also barely any toilet paper left (luckily we brought our own).

Jonathan T

Verified

March 26, 2022 Stayed at: 22, Loop: RV

3

Beautiful campground with vastly improved access road but very poor trash removal and general cleanup.

Tim D

Verified

March 10, 2022 Stayed at: 18, Loop: RV

5

Fantastic view from an off-the-main road campsite. Very clean- bathrooms and site. Many thanks.

Joshua H

Verified

February 28, 2022 Stayed at: 8, Loop: Tent

5

I’ll be back…

Adam B

Verified

February 13, 2022 Stayed at: 8, Loop: Tent

5

Stayed here in early February. Was cold and snowy but not enough to keep us from hiking around and beyond the frozen falls and staying the night here. Beautiful place with great views and close to the GSDNP.

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.

Latitude & Longitude: 37.6286 / -105.595

Elevation: 2368 feet

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: June 4, 2026

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