GREAT SAnD DUnES COUnTRY
OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE OF ALAMOSA, COLORADO www.ALAMOSA.ORG | 1-800-BLU-SKYS what’s Inside
4 Activities 4 Great Sand Dunes national Park 6 Rio Grande Scenic Railroad 7 Cumbres & Toltec Railroad wELCOME 8 Splashland Hot Springs 8 Sand Dunes Swimming Pool Thank you for considering Alamosa, Colorado for your next 9 Cattails Golf Course adventure! 10 Colorado Gators 10 UFO watchtower Discover Alamosa and all it has to offer from the Great Sand 11 Zapata Falls Dunes National Park and Preserve to the Rio Grande Scenic 12 Alamosa Ranch & Open Space wildlife Viewing Area Railroad. The scenic vistas collide where the earth and heavens 14 Alamosa wildlife Refuge meet under a star- studded night sky. Recreational opportunities 14 Blanca wetlands are unlimited and the exhilaration of climbing the Great Sand 15 San Luis Lakes State Park and wildlife Area Dunes is unmatched. 15 Rio Grande national Forest 16 winter Activities Located in the center of the San Luis Valley, Alamosa is 16 Snowmobiling surrounded by natural wonders such as the rugged grandeur of 16 Ice Fishing the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo Mountain ranges, the rivers 17 Cross Country Skiing & Snow Shoeing and lakes teeming with trout, the crisp fall mornings, and bluest 17 wolf Creek Ski Area skies west of the Mississippi. 18 Farmer’s Market The history and culture of the San Luis Valley is both captivating 19 Shopping and compelling. Wander through historic Fort Garland, the Luther Bean Museum, or rejoice in the glory of the Stations of the Cross 20 History & Heritage Shrine in the nearby town of San Luis. 20 Alamosa Historic Downtown walking Tour 22 San Luis Valley Museum We encourage you to come and see for yourself all that Alamosa 22 Fort Garland Museum has to offer. Not too far away to make a weekend trip; or just far 23 Luther E. Bean Museum enough away to get away from it all, Alamosa is your vacation 23 Historic Engine 169 destination any time of the year. 24 Sangre de Cristo national Heritage Area 25 Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway 26 Arts 26 Shrine of the Stations of the Cross On the Cover 27 Murals “Great Sand Dunes National Park” 28 Creede Repertory Theatre 29 ASU Theatre Visitors Guide of Alamosa, Colorado. Published by: Alamosa 30 Sundays at Six Convention & Visitors Bureau, 610 State Avenue, Alamosa, CO 31 Art Around Town 81101 Editor and Publisher: Jamie Greeman & the Alamosa 32 Events otherwise 36 Lodging noted. 38 Camping - Zapata Ranch manner without the express written permission of the publisher. 40 Dining Guide by press time. The Alamosa Convention & Visitors 45 Town Map omissions. 46 San Luis Valley Map
© 2014 by Alamosa Convention & Visitors Bureau 610 State 48 Transportation 50 Out Of State reserved. 51 In Colorado
2 Official Alamosa Visitors Guide www.alamosa.org | 1-800-BLU-SKYS 3 TO SEE LIVE wEBCAM SHOTS OR TO FInD OUT MORE VISIT www.nPS.GOV/GRSA
Great Sand Dunes national Park 1199 Hwy 150 Mosca CO 81146 719-378-6300 www.nps.gov/grsa CTIVITIES Explore the tallest sand dunes in North America. A visit to
A the Great Sand Dunes is an unforgettable experience. The vast, sloping dunes overwhelm the landscape with their stark beauty. The area is a geologic cornucopia of grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes and tundra. Often called the the base of the dunes in the spring, warm and inviting. Build a sand marvel at the experience of climbing the many peaks of the dune and jump back down. CAMPInG For variety in your adventure, walk the shady trails in the trees The Great Sand Dunes is a great place to camp as well. Pinyon Flats or climb one of the six peaks over 13,000 feet, hiking along an Campground has 88 individual sites along two loops. Restrooms alpine lake. There is a challenging 4WD road up and over the top, too. Whatever your pleasure, the Great Sand Dunes is a diverse conifer trees for shade, while others are more out in the open with The park offers incredible opportunities for photography, especially in the evening when the shadows are long and the temperatures are cool. Loop 1 (44 sites) of the campground is open year round; one restroom is winterized. Most campsites have a capacity of six people, two tents, and two vehicles (including towed vehicles/ trailers). A 50% discount applies to Golden Age and Golden Access pass holders.
Loop 2 (sites 45-88) campsites are available by reservation May 15 - September 15, online at www.recreation.gov. There is also primitive camping along the Medano Pass Road.
SAnDBOARDInG For years, visitors have been sledding down the dunes in plastic toboggans, rounded saucers, and even cardboard. As most visitors soon found out, the saucers and cardboard did not work at all. Adventuresome and creative people soon developed boards from vegetated areas. The park does not rent or sell sandboards, but they can be rented at Kristi Mountain Sports, 719-589- 9759.
4 Official Alamosa Visitors Guide www.alamosa.org | 1-800-BLU-SKYS 5 FOR MORE InFO On OUR ACTIVITIES VISIT; ACTIVITIES www.ALAMOSA.ORG/THInGS-TO-DO/OUTDOOR-ACTIVITIES
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The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad excursion train ride takes TRAI FULL you through breathtaking mountain valleys and passes The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a proud remnant A
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