Best National Parks Near La Junta, CO
Great Sand Dunes National Park can be found 150 miles west of La Junta near Alamosa, CO. This national park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. The park has a diverse landscape that includes tundra, alpine lakes, forests, grasslands, and wetlands. You can hike, backpack, sandboard and horseback ride. The visitor center offers a history of the area. During the spring, you can play in the seasonal Medano Creek that rushes at the base of the dunes.
About 239 miles north of La Junta, the Rocky Mountain National Park is home to a range of mountain environments such as alpine lakes and meadows. This park has over 300 miles of trails, which are perfect for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. The park has a variety of scenic drives that take you from subalpine forests to over 12,000 feet in elevation. The park is home to bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, and other wildlife. Rocky Mountain National Park has numerous campsites that can accommodate RVs less than 40 feet.
West of La Junta, about 283 miles, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park exposes visitors to steep cliffs, old rock, and craggy spires. The Gunnison River carved this spectacular canyon over the last 2 million years. The park offers scenic drives, hiking trails, wildlife watching, and fishing. In September, you can explore and discover the night sky during the annual Astro Fest held in the park.
Popular State Parks Near La Junta, CO
Forty-one miles from La Junta, CO near Hasty, CO, John Martin Reservoir State Park draws various visitors due to its uncrowded boating, waterskiing, and amazing wind water sports. Anglers from shore or boat can catch bass, crappie, walleye, catfish, and perch. You can view the spectacular bald eagles as well as almost 400 other bird species in this park. The Lake Hasty Campground can accommodate any size RV, trailer, or motorhome with 109 sites.
A 69-mile drive from La Junta will take you to Lake Pueblo State Park. This state park is considered a hot spot for fishermen. It has over 4,600 acres of water enjoyed by bass, walleye, channel catfish, wipers, and trout. Biking, boating, hiking, jet skiing, hunting, and horseback riding are some of the available activities in this state park. The park has three campgrounds including the Arkansas Point Campground, Juniper Breaks Campground, and Northern Plains Campground Complex. Most of these sites offer electrical hookups, picnic tables, paved parking pads, and fire rings.
Near Kenton, OK, Black Mesa State Park is about 119 miles south of La Junta, CO. About 30 million years ago, this area was coated by black lava rock giving the area a unique look. The park has 1,600 acres with 23 rare plants and eight rare animal species. In this park, you can hike to Oklahoma’s highest point. The wildlife in the area includes black bear, bobcat, mule deer, big horn sheep, cougar and antelope.
Must-see Monuments and Landmarks Near La Junta, CO
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site is 8.6 miles from downtown La Junta, CO. This national site holds a trading post that operated in the 1830s and 1840s. The fort was abandoned in 1849 when a cholera outbreak hit the local Plains Indians. The fort offers a large parking area for RVs. Once you have parked, you will have about a 10-minute walk to the reconstructed fort. You can visit the bookstore, take a self-guided tour, attend a ranger program, or explore independently.
A short 90 miles from La Junta, the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site was the area where the US Cavalry attacked 1,000 Cheyenne and Arapaho Native Americans. The Cavalry massacred over 150 peaceful Native Americans. This site honors the deceased in a Repatriation Area while providing wildlife and bird-watching opportunities.
Capulin Volcano National Monument is located 124 miles from La Junta near Capulin, NM. Vehicles over 26 feet and trailers are prohibited on Volcano Road, but the visitor center has an appropriate parking area. The visitor center also offers a film detailing the eruption of Capulin. Inside the center, you will also find a bookstore, exhibits, and a touch table.
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks & Campgrounds
Haggard’s RV Campground is about 50 miles from La Junta in Pueblo, CO. This site offers visitors a fantastic view of the Rocky Mountain peaks. Some of the amenities of this site include a heated outdoor pool, Wi-Fi, 30- and 50-amp connection, full hookups, and both pull-through and back-in sites.
Another nearby campground is the Pueblo KOA Journey. This site provides a playground, nature trail, geocaching, 24/7 laundry, cable TV, pedal-kart rentals, and more. This campsite is close to the El Pueblo Museum, which chronicles various human events from prehistoric times through 1900.
Colorado City KOA is just a few miles from Pueblo, CO. This KOA gets you out of the city. Still, it keeps you close enough to explore Bueller’s Children Museum, the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk, the Pueblo Zoo, and the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum. They offer a variety of amenities, including a playground, heated pool, and fitness center.
RV Dump Stations Near La Junta, CO
The Pilot Flying J Travel Plaza is 98 miles from La Junta in Limon, CO. This dump station is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is only $5 if you have a Flying J or Pilot Flying RV J card. Without a card, they charge $10.
Pueblo West Kwik Stop-Shell in Pueblo, CO, offers a free dump station. This service is available year-round. This site offers a car wash but does not have any potable water.
Lake Pueblo State Park also offers a dump station close to Pueblo, CO. You have to pay the park an $8 entrance fee and a $10 dumping fee.
