The High Dune Trail on First Ridge is probably the most popular trail in Great Sand Dunes National…read morePark. The first dune you reach from the main parking lot, it's definitely not the tallest dune in the park but it leads to beautiful views of GSDNP. There are no trail markers for this hike - you'll cross the Medrano creek bed after leaving the parking lot and then follow the dunes and make your own way. Hiking in sand is definitely a more difficult experience, so do yourself a favor and take the shortest route to the top. While the trail is "technically" to the top of the dune, you can do some exploring at the top to get different views. And let me tell you, it is 100% worth it because it is so incredibly gorgeous from the top. This hike can get more intensive than you think - some of these hills are steep with the sand deep. There is absolutely zero shade cover, so you will be hiking in direct sunlight - wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen. On the same note, the sand can get INCREDIBLY HOT, so make sure to wear good hiking shoes to protect your feet. And pack a lot of water and snacks (remember, pack in, pack out!). We took about 3 hours for our full hike, but it will also depend on how many breaks you take and how equipped you are to hike in sand. These are the same dunes you'll see people sand-boarding and sand-sledding on. If you have the chance, rent a board and take part. It's a lot of fun! Overall, a great hike to introduce you to the sand dunes of the park. While there are some longer hikes that take you to taller dunes, we only had about 6 hours to spend in the park, and we also wanted to go sand-sledding. Super happy with this hike, the experiences, and the wonderful views of the park it gave us. Highly recommend!

Stopped to check out what appeared to be an abandoned park in the middle of nowhere on the way to…read moredunes. I found an abandoned park on the way to the dunes, with exceptionally clean, well stocked restrooms and picnic areas shaded against the worst of the NM sun. The plan when establishing the park: Nice place for locals to spend A Day At The Beach. Reality, the water becomes poisonous to fish, dries up quickly, and the beach is on the edge of a mud hole. Still, possibly worth hiding a tent on overnight...

Beautiful, scenic, peaceful place to relax & recharge!!! Note: This is no longer a Colorado…read moreState Park - "State Park Passes" do not grant admission!! The Park falls under the authority of the Colorado Parks & Wildlife, as a State Wildlife Area. We stayed here 3 nights in Aug. '25 - The Lake was completely dry, but park is still open & provides a nice restful stop for travelers near the Sand Dunes, with nice large campsites and 30/50a Electric!! John - the new camp host is extremely helpful & friendly, and works incredibly hard (all by himself!) to help insure the Park's future by making sure that all guests have the proper State Wildlife Area pass (or CO Hunting/Fishing license) to help support the ongoing capability of providing free electrical campsites to guests. Seniors can obtain an SWA Annual pass for $11.73 online at cpwshop.com (each guest needs a pass!). We can't thank our host John enough for his hard work & dedication to help keep this park open!!

In the brief, golden interlude when winter loosens its grip on southern Colorado, the great…read moreseasonal spectacle returns to Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. This is a sweet spot of the year, the weeks when migratory Sandhill Crane descend upon the San Luis Valley in numbers that feel almost biblical. For surrounding towns, it's a quiet boon: birders arrive with thermoses and binoculars. Life-size crane cutouts celebrate the moment affixed along Main Street, or 1st Avenue as locals know it. The valley briefly hums, and then pauses with delighted witness. If you can go now, while they're still there, do. At dawn the refuge opens in a soft hush, frost silvering the marsh grasses. Then the cranes begin to gather: thousands of them, wings flashing pale gray, their ancient, bugling calls carrying across the wetlands. The viewing pullout known as 8S is the place to linger. The cranes bow, leap, and wheel in loose companies while flocks of Canada Geese drift nearby with neighborly indifference. It is difficult not to feel you've stumbled upon something grand and improbably joyful. It is a wonder written in wings and wind.

The Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge entails a fairly vast amount of land in Southern Colorado…read more Its 14,804 acres is located in an area referred to as the San Luis Valley. Along with two other wildlife refuges in the Valley, Monte Vista "provides [a] crucial feeding, resting, and breeding habitat for over 200 bird species and other wildlife." For some reason, my significant other doesn't see as much wildlife as he used to. It could be because of that jerk farmer neighbor of his that speeds 85 miles-per-hour down the dirt roads and all other highways. Or just an influx of humans moving into the area over the years. Most recently my daughters & I awed at the geese flying in V-formation overhead. These huge birds honked loudly & proudly over the refuge and surrounding farm fields. Their calls are quite an amazing alarm clock, or an exceedingly annoying one, depending on your wakefulness mood. Lol. During the winter, the wind can cut through improper clothing and give your body a full chill. In fact, the wind blows quite a bit in this valley throughout the entire year. But when I was most recently here on September 3, 2023, the weather was balmy -- such a treat compared to the dreadful heat we were having in Southeastern New Mexico. If I had a nice camera, I'd attempt to capture the various species in existence, but I don't so I can't. There is a visitor center near E County Road 6 S on Highway 15. Haven't visited there yet but perhaps someday...

During Lunch on Day 1 of my recent Earthwatch Adventure we stopped at the base of the La Ventana…read more(Window) Natural Arch. It's more of a scramble than a hike to get up to the Arch itself and it's well worth the effort, even though I hadn't yet acclimated to the altitude. The last vertical steps are also a bit tricky and left me wondering if there were a safer way down via the other side. The payoff is to experience a stunning view of the San Luis Valley and observe a hundred+ year old pinon pine. The Natural Arch was formed by the action of wind, rain and weather on a volcanic dome. This eventually carved a large hole through the rock forming a complete circle. This place really reminds me of the old Star Trek (TOS) episode called "City on the Edge of Forever". I half expected that if I jumped through the portal that I would go back in time and meet Edith Keeler. In any event, it was certainly windy enough to blow me somewhere else within the space-time continuum. Yet on the other side, was rolling green landscape and a nice place to enjoy a sack lunch. And at the end of my stay here (and unlike Mr. James Tiberius Kirk), I was in no hurry to "Get the Hell Out of Here".

This isn't a business. It's a very beautiful natural feature from the largest volcano ever to…read morehappen, well, on earth. Go see it.

I love how cool they keep their facility...a lot of gyms are so hot and it makes for a miserable…read moreexperience. Memberships are very affordable in comparison to the other gyms in town. I highly recommend Alamosa Recreation Center, especially if you don't like to be in a crowded gym where you often have to wait on equipment!

Drove up from Taos (via Dallas) to checkout this course. I had high hopes this could be my next…read morego-to-course. Boy was I wrong. Wish I played a day after they mowed cause it was SUPER long.

Quick look rating: 4/5 Quality…read more The Monte Vista Golf Club is a nice little golf course. It is a small flat course that is pretty wide open. If you hit a bad shot, with it being so wide open, most people can get back on track pretty easily. The big plus to this course is that you can spank that little white ball and it will fly at this altitude! It can really help boost your ego! Brought my relatives here and they loved this little course. My little nephew really loved how far he could hit his golf balls! That was worth it's weight in gold! Now the course is north west of downtown Monte Vista and is a little tough to find, but much easer to use your GPS off of you smart phone. Fun little course!

Great environment! Lots of fun activities for littles to learn and enjoy, definitely recommend!read more

Montez Skate Park is unexpectedly situated in the center of Monte Vista, CO…read more While my daughters and I were there on June 29, 2024, we had the place to ourselves for a short while. Then a small group of boys about their age came over and started doing their thing... neighborhood kids. Lol. My girls didn't want to hang out with them. It has some really nice features for beginners. Restrooms nearby. Picnic tables and shade trees too. Get off your devices and go here now kids.