Zapata Falls Campground

Good place! I believe the cost was $11/night. The tent-camping sites were well-kept, each with a fire pit, a picnic table, and a bear-proof box. The view of the Great Sand Dunes and the surrounding mountains was nice. The drive from the main road was long and a bit rough; but didn't require 4wd. If I'm ever camping in that area again, I would gladly revisit this site.

(Stayed here late April 2015)

How we managed to pull a 34' 5th wheel up this mountain and not break anything, I'll never know.

The road up to this campground from the valley is steep and washboard, though the road is wide. Pulling our 5'er, it took us about 30-45 minutes to reach the campground. We'd heard that the campground was free in the off-season (Nov-May), which I can confirm. I think we saw a ranger roll through in a jeep once, but no one checked to see if we had paid.

The views of the valley to the West were spectacular. There's easy hiking access to Zapata Falls (partially frozen when we were there), as well as another trail that leads up into the mountains for a few alpine lakes.

We made a single day trip to Great Sand Dunes, but wouldn't leave the campground again simply because the drive in/out was so rough.

Being at 9,000+ft, be careful of snow in the late Spring. We had a random snow storm dump about a foot on us one night. Brrrr!

One more thing: I've heard our experience (off-season) was very different than on-season. People have reported a loud and busy campground during the summer. Your experience may vary.

It takes about 5 hours to drive 3.5 miles up the mountain on the long and winding washboard road, but the views and nice quiet campground are the best in the area. I have camped here in November and in August, both times were nice and quiet. The trail to Zapata Falls is a nice little hike. Blanca Peak is a gorgeous mountain and the views of the valley, the bison roaming on Zapata ranch and the sand dunes are great. The national park is well worth it, such a unique landscape. Bonus: There are some damn good tacos in Alamosa at Mi Taquito and you will see more signs for Alligators than you will in the Everglades. No really.

Great views, had campground all to my self off season, free off season.

Well worth it to take short hike back to Zapata falls.

Stayed here one night but wish we would have stayed here for three. First the bad part road in is three miles of hell we pulled our 13' camp up here and took us one hour but with out trailer can do it in about 30 minutes. At this time of year camp ground was quit star are mazing and the view of valley and great sand duns just as amazing ! No WiFi sorry did not use phone. All camp sites are clean with picknic tables, firer rings and bear box for food. Pit toilets are vary clean and well stocked with toilet paper. They also have a day use area for picknics right by trail head to Zapata Falls it's a short hick and worth it to see. There are four things that made this place vary cool to stay at Zapata Falls, Great sand duns, Star gazing and views of mountains / valley. Sorry a little late with review we stayed here first week in October.

The best thing about a campground like this is taking a long morning visit to the long drop. Though I arrived just after the campground host had finished stocking up the TP, the toilet was a Jackson Pollock of the previous night’s best efforts. The amount of available paper, however, was ample to craft a cushy, clean throne topper and the breeze flowing upward was minimal (though if we’re all being honest, who doesn’t like a nice backdraft?) One door didn’t lock and, never one to be on the receiving end of voyeurism, I opted for the lockable unit. I had plenty of time to reflect on life’s greater meaning before someone came a-knockin’. Hand sanitizer applied, it was back to the big ol’, very well separated campsite (#4) to enjoy the serenity this place would afford if I hadn’t brought my crazy loud children. “Daddo,” one of them said upon my return, “I have to poop.” No problem, I have the experience necessary for such an expedition. The best side effect of the vault setup though by far is how clean the sites are, since jackamaroles don’t have a reason to dig a hole and not bury their toilet paper in it.

Drove up to the site without the camper and it was awful. It’s unpaved, so go on an empty bladder! 3+ miles of rocks.

BLM Sign welcomes you in. Road is horrible. We pulled off only 1/2 mile in at 1st switch back and slept great.

Like the other reviews say- the road up to the campsite is NO JOKE! But we took it slow pulling our teardrop trailer and it is 100% worth the drive up. All of the sites have great views of the valley and the hiking nearby to Zapata Falls and to the alpine lakes are awesome. Clean bathrooms and good spacing between sites. We will definitely be back!

This was a great campground for views! The road up was bad as everyone else said. We aired our tires down to make the ride a little better and it helped. It was slow going pulling a popup camper up the road. Be prepared with no water anywhere close. The weather would change very quick and the wind got very violent at our site. Vault toilets were kinda rough but useable.