Zapata Falls Campground
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
If you’d love to relax by a hidden waterfall nestled in the mountains, take your RV to Zapata Falls Campground, a remote Bureau of Land Management (BLM) site in the heart of San Luis Valley, Colorado. Located at a 9,088-foot elevation in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, near the Rio Grande National Forest, it’s accessible from Colorado State Highway 150 via a two-mile-long dirt road. While you camp, you can enjoy picnicking, bird watching, horseback riding, rock climbing, and panoramic views of the Great Sand Dunes. Reserve a site for your RV or enjoy dispersed camping for free on BLM public lands nearby.
Quick Facts About RVing in Zapata Falls Campground
• RV Friendly: Limited • Max RV Length: 50 feet, but driving a compact RV is recommended. • Camping Type: Primitive developed campgrounds and dispersed camping on nearby BLM lands • Reservations: Yes, available online • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Good for most carriers • Pets: Allowed if leashed • Roads: The rough dirt access road has steep uphill climbs, sharp switchbacks, and a 1,000-foot elevation gain. • Best Season: Summer and early fall
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Access to the gorgeous Zapata Falls • Proximity to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve • Glowing, dramatic sunsets and dark-sky stargazing • Great for RVers who enjoy quiet, primitive camping • Excellent and varied outdoor recreation • About half an hour away from small-town civilization in Alamosa, CO
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Zapata Falls Trail
Zapata Falls Trail is a short out-and-back trail. You will meander along a stream for the whole track and then find yourself at a waterfall between rocks. An overlook provides the perfect spot to take pictures of the waterfall. Length: 0.87 miles Intensity: Easy
South Zapata Lake Trail
With an elevation gain of more than 3,000 feet, you will enjoy the stunning view of two small alpine lakes at the end of this out-and-back trail. Length: 9.7 miles Intensity: Difficult
Blanca Peak and Ellingwood Point via Zapata Falls Trail
Start your day early to finish this extended out-and-back trail by evening. On your way, you will pass Sangre De Cristo Wilderness before enjoying great views of Blanca Peak and Ellingwood Point. Length: 14.8 miles Intensity: Difficult
Zapata Falls Campground Trail
Consider this route if you want an easy hike. This loop trail takes you through the campground and its meadows and is excellent for bird-watching. Length: 1.1 miles Intensity: Easy
Fishing
There are plenty of fishing opportunities near the Zapata Falls Campground BLM site. Visit South Zapata Lake, known for its threatened greenback cutthroat trout. Medano Creek is 1.5 miles from the BLM site, and you can catch rainbow and brook trout. You must have a valid fishing license for all fishing activities in Colorado.
Climbing
Little Bear Peak
At over 14,000 feet, Little Bear Peak has routes of different difficulty levels, and you can spend up to four hours reaching the summit.
California Peak
Visit California Peak, and you will discover numerous routes ranging from easy to challenging. The summit is 13,855 feet high and provides impressive views of the Sangre de Cristo Range.
Wildlife Viewing
Zapata Falls Campground is home to wild animals, such as coyotes, elk, deer, and rocky mountain bighorn sheep. Visitors have spotted birds like raptors, eagles, hawks, songbirds, and waterfowl.
Picnicking
Near Zapata Falls Campground offers picnickers a unique opportunity to soak up the beauty of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Campers can reserve one of two designated picnic sites, both equipped with grills, covered shelters, and tables. You can make beautiful memories as you bask in large grassy areas surrounded by wildflowers and evergreen trees.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
BLM RV camping at Zapata Falls Campground is available. Visitors can choose from various camping opportunities, including tent sites, RV sites with utility hook-ups, and unique yurts. Amenities include free WiFi access, restrooms, hot showers, and well-maintained grills. There is also an amphitheater where experienced naturalists conduct educational programs. Other Bureau of Land Management campgrounds include Blanca RV Park, Mosca Campground, and Escape Dunes.
Developed Campgrounds
Zapata Falls Campground is a minimally developed BLM site with an improved access road, pit/vault toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, and bear-proof storage lockers. There are no RV hookups, water spigots, or dump stations onsite. Smaller, higher-clearance RVs and tow vehicles are much easier to manage on the steep access road than larger motorhomes. Driving a large RV and traveling in wet weather is not recommended. The camping fee for Zapata Falls Campground is $11 per night, and you can stay for up to 14 consecutive days. You must make a reservation. Leashed pets are allowed. Be sure to bring in all the food, water, and supplies you need and to leave no trace when you exit the area.
Dispersed Camping
Free BLM dispersed camping is allowed near Zapata Falls Campsite on public lands along the valley floor near Blanca Peak Road (BLM Road 5410) off Highway 150. Dispersed camping is not allowed within the Zapata Falls Recreation Area or anywhere within a one-mile radius of the developed Zapata Falls Campground. Campers must park their RVs within 150 feet of a designated dirt road or trail; creating new campsites off-road is illegal. There are no amenities available, so be sure to bring emergency supplies like a full-sized spare tire, an air compressor, and plenty of food and drinking water. Abide by “leave no trace” principles and pack up your waste when you go. For more tips, read our guide on RV water fill and dump stations.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
When you’re traveling to Zapata Falls Campground, smaller, off-road capable RV classes tend to be easier to maneuver along the rough, steep access road. Standard 2WD vehicles can navigate the road if they move very slowly. In general, large motorhomes are poorly suited to traveling over the road's switchbacks and washboards. Camper Vans: A compact, high-clearance, 4WD camper van is an excellent choice because it can handle the access road's rough terrain and tight turns. Travel Trailers A travel trailer is an acceptable option if you’re dispersed camping in the valley basin and plan to leave your trailer at the site and then drive your tow vehicle to Zapata Falls. Fifth Wheels: A fifth wheel is too cumbersome to travel the access road, but it can be an acceptable option if you leave it at your campsite and visit the recreation area in your tow vehicle. Class A Motorhomes: Class A motorhomes are not the best choice for a trip to Zapata Falls Campground. They can easily get stuck, and their luxury finish and accoutrements may get damaged on the access road. Class B Motorhomes: A Class B motorhome can be ideal for your trip if it's compact and nimble. A small, 4WD, high-clearance vehicle can usually make the drive up the access road without much trouble. Class C Motorhomes: Class C motorhomes are only a good choice if you plan to camp near the highway; they are not well-suited to climbing the dirt access road to Zapata Falls Campground or navigating its switchbacks.
Free Camping 
Bureau of Land Management free camping is possible around Zapata Falls Campground. The geographical area has several dispersed camping sites like Wild Horse, Spring Creek, and White Oaks Campground. All campers should practice "Leave No Trace" principles to ensure that future visitors can also enjoy their outdoor experience.
RV Rentals Near Zapata Falls Campground Plan your next adventure
Planning your Zapata Falls Campground BLM trip
Pack comfortable outdoor gear like hiking boots and layered clothing when visiting Zapata Falls Campground. You can also purchase a Colorado State Fishing license at the site, valid for the entire year. The BLM reserves the right to close certain areas because of hazardous weather and other conditions. Visitors should plan accordingly because the area's climate can be cold and wet. The nearest town is Alamosa, which is about a 30-minute drive away. Here you can find supplies, groceries, and other amenities. Before heading out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
Travelers to Zapata Falls Campground will need to rely on stores in Alamosa, CO, for supplies. The town, located about 30 minutes from the campground, has full-service RV parks and dump stations, plus hardware, camping, grocery, and pet stores and suppliers. Although cell phone service is available, traveling with offline GPS and paper maps is a good idea. Check the National Weather Service forecast for weather updates near Alamosa. For information about road conditions, contact the San Luis Valley BLM Field Office at (719) 852-7074 or check state highway updates via COtrip Planner. The Alamosa County Sheriff's Office and the Alamosa Volunteer Search and Rescue (AVSAR) coordinate emergency and search and rescue operations.
Leave No Trace 
When visiting Zapata Falls Campground and other BLM locations, please remember to "Leave No Trace." This includes packing all your trash, disposing of pet and human waste responsibly, respecting wildlife, and not disturbing vegetation. You must clean up after your pet and not leave any food out overnight. This site is a fantastic place to explore, and by following these simple guidelines, you can help keep it wild and beautiful for generations to come.
Zapata Falls Campground Location
Zapata Falls Campground is a few minutes from San Luis Valley in Alamosa, Colorado. It is approximately seven miles from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. From Highway 160, take Highway 150 and continue for 16 miles and then take a right and join Lake of the Falls Parkway to reach the campground. Address: 1313 U.S. Hwy 160 E., Monte Vista, CO 81144 Ready to visit Zapata Falls Campground? 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 of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, enjoying 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 Zapata Falls Campground
• Morning: Get up before dawn, make coffee, and watch the sun rise over the Great Sand Dunes. Eat breakfast at camp, then take an early hike on the South Zapata Creek Trail. • Afternoon: Return to the campground for lunch, then find the trailhead for the 0.5-mile (1-mile round trip) hike to Zapata Falls. Be prepared to walk through cold, rushing creek waters flowing within a rock crevasse as you move toward the hidden 30-foot waterfall. After you get back from your hike, drive about 15 minutes north to try sandboarding at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve or take time to relax in your RV. • Evening: Cook dinner at your campsite and watch the sun paint the landscape in gold and pink hues. Pull on your jacket as temperatures drop, lie back, and enjoy an exceptionally clear view of the Milky Way.
Nearby Attractions
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve: This park features gigantic sand dunes that rise to 741 feet high, alpine lakes, and a seasonal beach creek framed by mountain peaks. It’s about a 10-minute drive from the campsite, down Highway 150. • Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center: History buffs will enjoy learning about the 9th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers and legendary frontiersman Kit Carson as they tour the site’s five original adobe buildings built in 1858. Exhibits showcase the people who experienced daily life and operations at the fort. • UFO Watchtower: This roadside attraction, 40 minutes northwest of Zapata Falls Campground, is a legendary UFO hotspot with an observation deck and a mystical healing rock garden. Psychics have also identified two energy vortices on the property. While you visit, you can leave a message for otherworldly visitors and find alien memorabilia at the dome-shaped gift shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gear do I need for a visit to Zapata Falls Campground? For a visit to Zapata Falls Campground, you’ll need sturdy water shoes, hiking shoes or boots, warm layered clothing, and rain gear, plus food, extra drinking water, sunscreen, emergency supplies, and hygiene items. Is high altitude a factor when visiting Zapata Falls Campground? Zapata Falls Campground is in a high-elevation area with summer temperatures that can reach the mid-70s Fahrenheit during the day and fall into the 30s and 40s at night. Travelers driving up from a low-elevation area may experience altitude sickness, so allow enough time to let your body adjust to lower oxygen levels after you arrive. You’ll also need to pack extra water and sunscreen to avoid dehydration and sunburn. Can I have a campfire? When Stage 2 fire restrictions are active across Zapata Falls Campground, wood and charcoal campfires are prohibited. Portable gas- or propane-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heaters with an on-off switch/valve are always allowed. Fire rings with grill grates are available, but you must bring your own firewood or charcoal and cooking supplies. Is it difficult to hike to the main waterfall at Zapata Falls Campground? The hike to the main waterfall is short and fairly easy, although you'll have to navigate rocky terrain, slippery spots, and near-freezing water as you climb uphill toward the site. Is the Zapata Falls Campground ADA Accessible? The Zapata Falls Campground is partially ADA accessible and has a designated accessible group camping area. It also has accessible vault toilets with concrete ramps with handrails on both sides.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
When you’re planning a vacation to Zapata Falls Campground, renting the right RV will ensure you enjoy every aspect of your trip. A compact, high-clearance, 4WD Class B camper van is the best choice for your off-road adventure. Driving a smaller rig also makes it easier to explore other destinations in Colorado, including the Great Sand Dunes National Park Preserve and the Rio Grande National Forest. To book your vehicle, browse RV rentals in Alamosa ahead of your journey to Zapata Falls Campground.