San Luis Lakes Campground
Dept. Fish & Wildlife
Write a Review 16399 Lane 6 N Hooper, CO 81136 719-587-6900 Official WebsiteGPS: 37.6772, -105.7331
Overview of San Luis Lakes Campground
A valid Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) hunting or fishing license is required for everyone 18 or older accessing any State Wildlife Area effective July 1, 2020. An annual hunting or fishing license can be purchased through a CPW authorized sales agent, by phone 800-244-5613, or online at cpwshop.com. For more information check out What You Need to Know Before Camping on Trust Land in Colorado.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by Linda on 10/18/2024
Longest RV Reported: 45 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Haznavy on 10/2/2021
Number of Sites 51
Pad Type asphalt
Elevation 7,513 ft / 2,289 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about San Luis Lakes Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 719-587-6900
DaveKiwi asked on 6/12/2021
I'm considering going to this campground on Mon night for 1 night so we can be close to the Sanddunes. Wondering if I...
Hollie asked on 6/10/2021
Do you have to have a permit to camp at San Luis State Wildlife Area - if so how do you get one?
camper-769027 asked on 3/19/2023
Is the needed fishing license per person or per RV/vehicle?
jknox asked on 9/15/2022
Can we safely unhook and leave our 5th wheel at the CG to visit Great Sand Dune NP? Thank you
Haznavy asked on 9/28/2021
Is the dump station open? We drove through and it looked open but, with no water service, thought I'd better ask. TIA
John asked on 7/4/2021
Does anyone know where I can fill up my water tanks near San Luis State Wildlife Area Campground? Thank you!
Reviews of San Luis Lakes Campground 95 people have reviewed this location.
“Still FREE for 2018, but . . . ”
Reviewed 4/9/2018
Nightly rate: | $1 |
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Days stayed: | 0 |
RV Length: | 26' (Class C) |
This great SWA will still have FREE electric hookups and an RV dump, but no water for 2018! However, to legally camp there you will need a valid Colorado fishing or hunting license. This is a new Parks & Wildlife Division policy for 2018 and applies to camping at all CO SWA's, not just this one. So, "know before you go."
Fanrgs would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Free Campsite close to the Sand Dunes”
Reviewed 11/11/2017
Nightly rate: | $2 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
RV Length: | 14' |
It doesn't get much better than this. It was an absolutely free electric campsite just 20 minutes from Great Sand Dunes National Park. We arrived mid-week with only 1-2 other campers in the entire park. There were hundreds of campsites, although some were blocked off. We were pleasantly surprised to see the restrooms were open. ... more
It doesn't get much better than this. It was an absolutely free electric campsite just 20 minutes from Great Sand Dunes National Park. We arrived mid-week with only 1-2 other campers in the entire park. There were hundreds of campsites, although some were blocked off. We were pleasantly surprised to see the restrooms were open. We saw a few rangers who were nice to us. Nights at San Luis State Wildlife Area were stunning. So many stars. We loved this place and will be back.
beckytalksparks would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Free dump and amazing views - What more could you ask for?”
Reviewed 11/7/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Easy to get to from the highway and plenty of sites at different elevations so each site has a beautiful view. Most sites are pretty level. Some are back in and most are pull-through with a covered picnic table and fire pits. Road coming into the park is dirt/gravel, but smooth and in the campground it's paved except for the sites a... more
Easy to get to from the highway and plenty of sites at different elevations so each site has a beautiful view. Most sites are pretty level. Some are back in and most are pull-through with a covered picnic table and fire pits.
Road coming into the park is dirt/gravel, but smooth and in the campground it's paved except for the sites are gravel/dirt and mostly level.
You can't beat the views of the mountains and the prairie. Super dark at night except for the glow of the stars and the moon.
I did see some small snakes, mostly slithering across the road into the brush. I don't know what kind they were, but I just stayed away. Lot's of places to get some exercise either walking, running, or riding your bicycle.
Because this is in a valley - it can get windy at times.
I travel full-time and work remotely so cell service is important. I have Verizon and had no issues even streaming movies at night.
StoryChasing.com would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Free Camping with Mountain Views in every direction”
Reviewed 10/12/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Jumping jack rabbits! We loved this place, the sunset was gorgeous. It was a short drive to the Sand Dunes National Park. Easily accessible with our airstream, nice level spots with FREE 30 amp hookup. Did I mention that it was free?! Very remote and scenic, would definitely recommend!
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Fabulous Views, Level Sites AND Free Electricity!”
Reviewed 10/9/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 1 |
RV Length: | 29' |
The San Luis Valley is renown for their potatoes and UFO sitings. But if you're headed to one of the most unique national parks in the nation, and don't want to spend money on a campsite, San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area is perfectly placed to enjoy everything the valley has to offer! Access is very easy from Highway 17, which th... more
The San Luis Valley is renown for their potatoes and UFO sitings. But if you're headed to one of the most unique national parks in the nation, and don't want to spend money on a campsite, San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area is perfectly placed to enjoy everything the valley has to offer!
Access is very easy from Highway 17, which the locals call "The Cosmic Highway." You can take your chance at contacting alien beings at the UFO Watch Tower, a few miles north (on Highway 17) of your turnoff onto Lane 6N going east (just follow the signs towards Great Sand Dunes National Park). After 7.4 miles you will see San Luis Lakes on your left.
If you were to stay on Lane 6N past the wildlife area, you will eventually find the entrance to Great Sand Dunes National Park, where you can play on 600' tall sand dunes (bring your rock skis or rent a board on the way into the park), dip your toes in Medano Creek, or hike up to Zapata Falls.
Come back to San Luis Lakes and pick one of 51 level campsites with a view of the dunes, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains behind them, and after dark, a night sky that is dotted with a million stars that are never seen from the city. Each campsite has free electricity, a covered picnic table with protection from the westerly winds, and there vault toilets at the entrance to the area. The sites themselves handle rigs of all sizes and there is a dump station located onsite, but no water. Because there are no trees, only shrubs and ground cover, the location is great for solar!
Our campsite overlooked the lakes, the shores of which were covered with vibrant gold rabbit brush. In the background, the sand dunes languished beneath the mountain peaks as alpenglow arrived long before the sunrise the next morning.
I had good AT&T reception and passable Verizon coverage, as well, so work could have been accomplished if I hadn't been so enamored with the scenery! I'll definitely be back for more exploring!
PhotoTrippingAmerica would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Spectacular views and free electricity ”
Reviewed 10/1/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
RV Length: | 28' |
Great location near the Sand Dunes National Park with free electricity. Large pull thru and back in sites. 20 mins from SDNP 30 from Alamosa for Walmart visits. If your plans take you into Piñon Campground in Sand Dunes-you must have an RV less than 25ft. Verizon signal 3 bars.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Free Campground”
Reviewed 9/17/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
Site Number: | 3 |
RV Length: | 42' (Class A) |
As other reviewers noted, this area changed from a State Park to a State Wildlife Area recently, so it is still listed in many guides as a State Park. This campground has undergone some changes since we were last here in 2009. The only staff presence here now is the campground hosts who stay in the centrally-located administrative ... more
As other reviewers noted, this area changed from a State Park to a State Wildlife Area recently, so it is still listed in many guides as a State Park.
This campground has undergone some changes since we were last here in 2009. The only staff presence here now is the campground hosts who stay in the centrally-located administrative building. The gate entrance/fee station is no longer manned.
Tall RV's need to be aware that the entrance at the gate station is only 13' 2" high. Taller RV's will need to enter the park through the exit lane on the left. The height numbers are fading and difficult to see at night.
Services:
The park has up to 50amp electrical and a dump station - that's it! There is no water at the park, either potable or non-potable. According to the camp hosts, the water quality tested poorly and the water here was shutoff because there were not funds to make the required changes. Therefore, you MUST bring your own water here. Since there is also no water at the dump station, it is not possible to clean out hoses after dumping.
There are three loops - A, B, and C. Only loops B&C have vault toilets available. The bathhouse is closed.
The sites are very nice with shelters, tables and fire rings on concrete pads. Parking is mostly gravel but a few sites have pavement parking pads. A majority of sites are pull-through and they are well-spaced.
Location:
This campground is in a great location with spectacular views of the Great Sand Dunes and the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The National Park is a short ~30 minute drive. Alamosa is also about 30 minutes away.
We certainly hope this park stays open but it appears funding is a problem. It's not clear whether there will be any maintenance on the park going forward or what it's ultimate status will be. However, at present, given the price, this campground is the best value around.
We had decent cell access with Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile though both AT&T and the Verizon towers got congested and slowed down most evenings. We test T-Mobile but didn't use it. For Sprint this is a roaming area.
The Free Five would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great stay!”
Reviewed 8/3/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
RV Length: | 40' (Fifth Wheel) |
This used to be a State Park but is now a State Wildlife Area. It was very quiet while we stayed here. At first there was only one other rig. Then in the evening more came. It accomodates everything from tents to large rigs (we have a 40' fifth wheel). I don't know how many sites there are but quite a few. We had a great view of ... more
This used to be a State Park but is now a State Wildlife Area. It was very quiet while we stayed here. At first there was only one other rig. Then in the evening more came. It accomodates everything from tents to large rigs (we have a 40' fifth wheel). I don't know how many sites there are but quite a few. We had a great view of the lake and Great Sand Dunes NP from our site. There is electric hookup but no water. Pit toilets for those who need them. There is a dump station but no water to rinse. You can get a water fill in the NP. Easy to find and easy access once you are in the wildlife area. Gravel roads are good. The camp host, Gabriella, was super nice and helpful!
Rich Travels would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Can't beat the price with power ”
Reviewed 7/24/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 18 |
RV Length: | 27' |
Yep, it is free camping with electric hookups! Great views of the mountains and dunes and a whole lot of peace and quiet.
Van-Tramp would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“It's real. Free electric!”
Reviewed 6/30/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | 15 |
RV Length: | 22' (Travel Trailer) |
I got the skinny about what is up with this campground. It's free because of some political stuff involving the water not passing a use test and the cost of getting the water potable was too high so there's no water anymore. The state decided to turn it into a free campground. What a shame! For them. This campground is extremely well p... more
I got the skinny about what is up with this campground. It's free because of some political stuff involving the water not passing a use test and the cost of getting the water potable was too high so there's no water anymore. The state decided to turn it into a free campground. What a shame! For them. This campground is extremely well planned and huge. There is electric at every single site. The reservoir nearby provides hydroelectric power so the state left it one since it costs them nothing. They are honoring reservations until July 1 when they had them booked until and after that it is first come first serve, which is basically was anyway. The camp ground host was so nice and grateful to stay here. Almost all the sites are PULL THROUGH! what??? And huge. This place is very easy to access. Verizon had ok service. ATT not so much. Strangely, TMobile had the best signal of any of the three.
There's so much around here. Great Sand Dunes National Park. There are a number of hotsprings. There's a spiritual town called Crestone. Interesting town. Google it.
We made mug cake every night in the microwave because we could.
borntobenomadic would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“NOT ACTUALLY FREE”
Reviewed 8/3/2019
Nightly rate: | $36 |
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Days stayed: | 0 |
Listed as a free Campendium site. However, any adults 18-64 require a $36 annual CWP pass in order to camp. Don’t get into town after hours or you’re not getting this, as they’re only available at local agent’s offices, and you’re not staying here without it, as Camp host is checking passes and does not sell them on site. Should have... more
Listed as a free Campendium site. However, any adults 18-64 require a $36 annual CWP pass in order to camp. Don’t get into town after hours or you’re not getting this, as they’re only available at local agent’s offices, and you’re not staying here without it, as Camp host is checking passes and does not sell them on site. Should have read more than the first reviews, otherwise we would have figured this out before we got here
Karen would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- picnic area
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- dump station
- laundry
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
Pets
- pets
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