Blanca Wetlands
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
One of the most scenic BLM areas, the Blanca Wetlands is part of the Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area that covers more than 10,000 acres. Unlike some other BLM sites, there’s no overnight camping allowed within the wetlands. Fortunately, you can find plenty of dispersed options, and even a BLM developed campground nearby. The area is great for RVers who want to see some of the most beautiful natural sites that the U.S. has to offer. It’s also home to more than 150 species of birds. Keep in mind that roads leading to the Blanca Wetlands are gravel and dirt, so periods of heavy rain can make navigation tricky.
Quick Facts About RVing in the Blanca Wetlands
• RV Friendly: Yes • Max RV Length: Varies, but Class A not recommended • Camping Type: Nearby developed and dispersed options • Reservations: Yes • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None on-site • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Spotty at best • Pets: Allowed, but leashes required • Roads: Gravel and dirt • Best Season: Late summer through fall
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Excellent RV camping options for smaller rigs • Great for boondocking at nearby dispersed sites • Breathtaking sunrise views • Gorgeous sunsets overlooking Mount Blanca • Virtually limitless bird-watching opportunities, especially in the mornings • Fishing from the shorelines • Hiking trails for a range of skill levels
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Lake Como Trail
The Lake Como Trail is an out-and-back trail over rocky and complex terrain. It is a challenging trail that is likely to take at least five hours to finish on foot although ATVs are allowed. This trail has a lake at the end with remarkable views. Be careful of slippery rocks when it rains.
Length: 8.3 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Zapata Falls Trail
For something much less strenuous, check out the Zapata Falls Trail. This short out-and-bike hike takes you to Zapata Falls, which offers a cool place to relax during the summer. Dogs are allowed on the trail as long as they are leashed.
Length: 0.9 miles
Intensity: Easy
Wildlife Viewing
There is a great diversity of wildlife at the Blanca Wetlands, especially among birds. You might see a bald eagle or peregrine falcon, snowy plover, white-faced ibis, or any of the over 150 bird species that frequent the area. Mammals from chipmunks and rats up to coyotes, mule deer, and elk spend time in the wetlands as well. It's a gathering point for thousands of species of fauna and flora, some very rare, including the grasses and shrubs that make up the vegetation of the wetlands.
Fishing and Boating
Boating in the waters of the Blanca Wetlands is not permitted and is not practical, but there are opportunities for fishing that are easy to access thanks to how simple it is to reach the lakes. Bass and trout are the primary catches in the wetlands. Nearby bodies of water with great fishing include the Mountain Home Reservoir, which has rainbow trout and several varieties of pike, and the Rio Grande River, which is home to cutthroat trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and various other species.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
There aren't any Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in the Blanca Wetlands, but you can enjoy RV camping nearby in Alamosa. Cool Sunshine RV Park offers full hookups and spacious sites, and the Alamosa Economy Campground is easy to access off of US Highway 160. If you're in the area and search for "BLM camping near me," you'll find that the Zapata Falls Campground is also available for $11 a night.
Developed Campgrounds
You can be at the Zapata Falls Campground after a short drive up the gravel road that connects it to the Blanca Wetlands. Zapata Falls has 23 campsites, but only 12 are equipped for RV camping. There are no electrical hookups, but you can use a generator. However, it must be turned off during the campground’s designated quiet hours. Since space is limited, you do need to make reservations before camping at Zapata Falls. Cancellations incur a $10 fee. Individual rates are incredibly affordable, as you can book your campsite for only $11 per night.
Dispersed Camping
There are several dispersed camping options around the Blanca Wetlands, including Sacred White Shell Mountain, BLM Mt. Blanca Road, Great Sand Dunes, and BLM Near Great Sand Dunes Highway 150. Campers can stay in any of these areas for up to 14 days. Some of the access roads can be a bit tricky to navigate, so you’ll want to do your research based on where you plan to stay. Remember to adhere to the Leave No Trace principles that are standard across BLM campsites. None of the areas have water, sewer, or electrical hookups, so you’ll certainly need to be prepared before arriving, and take your trash with you.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: Excellent option for the Blanca Wetlands because of how easily they can navigate the gravel and dirt roads around the area. • Travel Trailers: Generally suitable, especially when there’s no rain in the forecast. • Fifth Wheels: Can be a bit tricky because of the gravel roads and limited spaces for turning around the wetlands. • Class A Motorhomes: Generally not the best option for this area because of the narrow gravel roads and limited spaces to turn. • Class B Motorhomes: A great fit for this destination because their compact size can handle all of the tight turns. • Class C Motorhomes: Typically a good option, especially if you choose one that’s on the smaller side, since washboards across surrounding roads can be tricky after some rain.
Free Camping 
There are no options for Bureau of Land Management free camping in the Blanca Wetlands itself. However, there are areas for dispersed camping in the vicinity of Alamosa. BLM Sacred White Shell Mountain is a great area for free camping. Those with a valid Colorado hunting or fishing license can also camp for free at the San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area.
RV Rentals Near Blanca Wetlands Plan your next adventure
Planning your Blanca Wetlands BLM trip
Blanca Wetlands is a fun and unique place to visit. There are not many preserved wetlands in this part of the country, and each one is a haven for animals that you will not see anywhere else. Bring a camera, a guidebook, and a notebook so that you can mark down the species that you see during your visit. The total area of the preserve is about 10,000 acres, and each year, some areas have water added to them. Seek out the ponds and small lakes because that is where the most interesting sites will be.
It is a good idea to visit in spring or fall when the wildlife will be most active. The winter in the area is very cold, and even in the summer, the temperature can drop down to the 40-degree range. If you plan to stay past sundown or are considering BLM RV camping in the area, bring warm clothes regardless of the season. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
The Blanca Wetlands are relatively remote, so you should keep that in mind before you arrive. Also, there’s no overnight camping in the wetlands, which means you’ll want to leave yourself plenty of time to get to and from your RV. Nearby communities like Alamosa are the best option for stocking up before you get to your campsite. The nearest dispersed camping options don’t have sewage, water, or electricity, so you’ll want to plan accordingly. Cell service is spotty at best, so have backup options in place for navigation and communication.
Leave No Trace 
All BLM lands operate under the Leave No Trace rule. That means you cannot do anything to disturb the wildlife or the natural environment. You can't leave tire tracks, trash, or anything else that might have an impact on the land. This is especially important for a wetlands habitat because it has the ability to shelter many different kinds of species. The water, ground, plant life, and animal life all depend on each other for survival, and pollution or trash can disrupt the balance.
Blanca Wetlands Location
To reach the Blanca Wetlands, start out in the town of Alamosa, Colorado. Go east out of town on US Route 160, which is called Santa Fe Avenue within the town. In less than 10 minutes, you should reach County Route 116 on the left — make that turn. After another 10 minutes or so, you will reach an intersection where Twomile Road is to the right. The road winds around for a few more minutes, but signs will lead you to Blanca Wetlands.
Ready to visit Blanca Wetlands? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at the Blanca Wetlands
• Morning: Get up early and have a quick cup of coffee at your RV before making your way to the wetlands. Lots of birds are very active in the morning, so you’ll want to arrive early enough to see them in their natural habitat. • Afternoon: Bring your lunch with you so you don’t have to venture all the way back to your RV. Grab a map and check out some of the hiking trails, like the 0.8-mile Zapata Falls trail. • Evening: Take in a beautiful sunset view, but be sure that you leave in time to get back to your RV while there’s still some light.
Nearby Attractions
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve: About a 40-minute drive from Blanca Wetlands, this area is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, stargazing, and sand sledding. • San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area: About a 20-minute drive away, this wildlife area has incredible open-water views, quiet picnic spots, and seasonal boating opportunities. • Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge: About a 30-minute drive from Blanca Wetlands, the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, which is situated along the Rio Grande, has multiple walking trails and loads of bird-watching opportunities. • Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge: About an hour away, it’s a bit of a drive, but the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a massive wetland complex that’s home to large flocks of sandhill cranes that you can see if you visit during their typical migration season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need four-wheel drive? No, two-wheel-drive vehicles can typically handle the area’s gravel and dirt roads under normal conditions. Can I stay for 14 days? You cannot stay at the Blanca Wetlands for 14 days because the area does not permit overnight camping. However, you can stay at nearby dispersed campgrounds, such as Sacred White Shell Mountain, for up to 14 days. According to BLM rules, you can camp at any allowed area for 14 days within any 28-day stretch before moving at least 25 miles away. Can I have a campfire at The Blanca Wetlands? No, the Blanca Wetlands is a fire-free zone, so campfires are strictly prohibited. However, since overnight camping is not permitted within the wetlands, there’s little need for a campfire. Can I bring my pet to The Blanca Wetlands? Yes, pets are allowed on the trails at the Blanca Wetlands. However, there are some rules to remember. Most notably, dogs must be kept on a leash while in the developed areas of the Blanca Wetlands. How good is cell phone signal at The Blanca Wetlands? The cell service in the Blanca Wetlands is spotty at best. Some parts of the basin have no reception at all. As you get further from the basin, you’ll find better cell phone service. The BLM encourages visitors not to rely on cell phones for emergency communication or navigation while at the location. What is the best season to camp at The Blanca Wetlands? Late summer through early fall is the best time to camp at the Blanca Wetlands. Visiting between mid-July and the end of October allows you to miss the rainy season and see lots of wildlife. It’s important to note that the area is closed to the public from February 15 through July 15 for bird nesting season, so late winter through early summer isn’t an option.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
Camper vans, Class C motorhomes, and travel trailers are generally considered the best options for visiting the Blanca Wetlands. Renting an RV might be easier than towing your own, especially if you’re driving a long way to get to the Blanca Wetlands. Since most of the roads are unpaved, less experienced RV campers might find it easier to rent a camper van or smaller RV, especially if you’re expecting rain during your visit. Larger options might be a bit trickier to navigate, particularly if the roads become too muddy. Explore your RV rental options near the Blanca Wetlands, and get ready for your adventure today.