Alamosa, Colorado sits in the heart of the San Luis Valley. Spain claimed this valley until 1821. The first group of permanent settlers came to the area in 1850. In 1870, gold and silver were found near Summitville. This discovery began the mining migration to the San Luis Valley. Farming, ranching, timber and the railroad also significantly influenced the valley's settlements. A narrow-gauge train brought settlers to a protected bend in the Rio Grande River. A large grove of cottonwoods shaded this area. This area soon became a tent city. In the blink of an eye, this tent city became a rail center and was called Alamosa. This small town was founded in 1878. It was given the name Alamosa because it means "cottonwood grove" in Spanish.
Many of the original buildings in the town were brought in as whole units. These buildings were transported on flat railroad cars. From 1878 to 1890, railroad tracks were laid in all four directions from Alamosa, making it the center of the San Luis Valley. It became home to Adams State College in 1921. Today, it is known as a teaching institution as well as a degree-granting college.
Alamosa has a population of over 9,800. The downtown area takes you through a wide array of architectural styles, including commercial brick, Mission Revival, late Victorian and Art Deco. You will want to visit the Historic Engine 169 at Cole Park. While at this park, you may enjoy the walking trail along the Rio Grande River. The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad takes visitors on a 1900s train car for a unique Old-West experience. This ride takes you to either La Veta or Fir Summit. While in town, you can also explore the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, Blanca Vista Park and the Colorado Gators Reptile Park.
Campgrounds Near Alamosa, Colorado
Haggard's RV Campground is near Pueblo, two and a half hours northeast of Alamosa. It is located in a remote, flat area. However, the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains can be found to the west. This campground is located next to Highway 50 and has a heated pool and Wi-Fi. It also has back-in and pull-through sites with full hookups and 30/50-amp connections.
Grape Creek RV Park near Westcliffe, two hours northeast of Alamosa, features picturesque views of the Wet Mountain Valley and Sangre De Cristo Mountains. It is remote, surrounded by rolling plains. This campground provides a variety of amenities, including pull-through RV sites. It also has dumpsters, potable water and a dump station. All the sites have full hookups. You can also spend time in the clubhouse and use the on-site laundry facilities.
Bighorn RV Park is near Coaldale, an hour and 40 minutes northeast of Alamosa. It offers easy access to various skiing areas during the winter. It is located near the Arkansas River in the Bighorn Sheep Canyon. This campground provides shaded RV parking with enough room for slide-outs on both sides. Every site has water and electricity. The level sites also have sewer hookups available.
State Parks Near Alamosa, Colorado
Twenty-five minutes northeast of Alamosa, San Luis State Park, also known as San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area, covers 3,317 acres. Acting as an overflow area for Great Sand Dunes National Park, this state area hosts visitors worldwide. Located off Highway 152 near Mosca and Hooper, this area is famous for camping, hiking, boating, swimming, fishing and windsurfing. When camping here, you must bring your own potable water, ice and firewood. The hunting in the area includes deer, dove, ducks, waterfowl and more.
You can find Lathrop State Park between Alamosa and Walsenburg on U.S. 160, an hour and 10 minutes northeast of Alamosa. This 1,460-acre park is Colorado's first state park. It has two lakes, Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake. Martin Lake is perfect for waterskiing, power boating and sailing. Horseshoe Lake is better suited for canoers, sailors and kayakers. You can find a variety of fish in both lakes, including catfish, walleye, trout, bass and bluegill. The Archery Practice Range draws visitors for no-fee archery practice. The 3-mile, closed-loop Cuerno Verde Trail circles Martin Lake. The 2-mile Hogback Trail is for hikers only.
Covering 152 miles of the Arkansas River, the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area spans multiple cities. Mountain bikers love this area, which is approximately an hour and a half north of Alamosa, because of its challenging terrain and unique scenery. The park has an extensive hiking/biking system, including various wetland boardwalks, bridges, fishing trails and wildlife viewing spots. The area is excellent for riverbank or boat fishing. Gold panning is also a traditional activity in this area. You can stand on the banks of the Arkansas River to find your fortune. Other popular activities include horseback riding, OHV, rock climbing and snowmobiling.
National Sites Near Alamosa, Colorado
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument can be found in Teller County, two hours and 45 minutes northeast of Alamosa. This national site was created to protect a rich fossil deposit in 1969. Behind the visitor's center, guests can find a collection of massive, petrified redwood tree stumps. The visitor center has a variety of exhibits showcasing insects, leaves, seeds, mammals, birds and fish fossils. It also features a film about the park. The park film is 18 minutes long and provides insight into the national monument and its hidden treasure. The area contains eight interconnected hiking trails covering over 15 miles. You can also find an 1878 homestead in the area.
Located near Gunnison, two and a half hours northwest of Alamosa, the Curecanti National Recreation Area is on the Gunnison River. It covers 43,095 acres and has various developed campgrounds. These campgrounds require a reservation. You will have only limited cellphone service while camping in the area. Curecanti consists of three reservoirs that are well-known for salmon and trout fishing. It also offers a variety of scenic drives, including Soap Creek Road, Red Creek Road and Rainbow Lake Road. Bird-watching is also a popular activity because of the diverse habitats, which include woodland, water and canyon. Robins, woodpeckers, herons, sandpipers, magpies, hawks and bluebirds are the most popular species.
Manhattan Project National Historical Park near Los Alamos, New Mexico, two and a half hours southwest of Alamosa, was designed to commemorate the Manhattan Project. It was a research project during World War II that led to the development of nuclear weapons. This national site is one of three units. The other two units are located in Tennessee and Washington. This park is home to Ashley Pond, where you can view wildlife, have a picnic or enjoy being outdoors. The trail network includes the Kwage Mesa Trail, a 4.3-mile trail offering spectacular views. You should also explore the visitor center and local museums while in the area.
National Forests Near Alamosa, Colorado
If you are looking for gorgeous mountain scenery, you can find it in the 1.5 million acres of Carson National Forest in New Mexico, two and a half hours southwest of Alamosa. This forest features a massive hiking trail system, which includes 70 Moto Trail, Bear Mountain Trail and Capulin Trail. It provides RV camping in four areas: the Agua Piedra Campground and Group Shelters, Canjilon Lakes Campground, Echo Campground and Trout Lakes Campground.
The Rio Grande National Forest includes over 1.8 million acres in the San Luis Valley, an hour and 50 minutes northwest of Alamosa. While most of the campgrounds here offer RV camping, none provide electric, sewer or water hookups. With climbing, OHV and nature viewing opportunities, this forest has a wide variety of entertainment options. Hunting, fishing and horseback riding are other excellent choices.
In western Colorado, three hours and 10 minutes northwest of Alamosa, you can also visit Gunnison National Forest. This forest consists of over 1.6 million acres. Monarch Mountain is a world-famous ski resort mountain. Harman Rocks also bring visitors from all over to this national forest. You also have a wide array of RV camping options in this area. These options include Big Creek Campground, Cement Creek Campground and Big Blue Campground.
