This place is amazing! I always wondered how we have a Gator and Reptile Park in Colorado and…read moreunderstanding that it is because the geothermal well provides 87F water year-round. Upon entering, we were greeted by Matt who welcomed us with the biggest smile and asked us to share our experience that we had in the Crocodile Rescue in Zambia. Matt and the other employees are so passionate about all the rescued animals at the Park. We were greeted by another employee who explained that all the animals have either been confiscated by law enforcement, given up by their owners, or simply found (the giant iguana was found sitting in a tree by a man walking a neighborhood). All the animals have pasts that aren't the best but they get to live the rest of their lives in a sanctuary getting the proper care they deserve. The Park is vast and there are plans to make it even larger. What I thought would take only 30 minutes took well over 2 hours. I am a kid at heart and also love photography so this was best way to spend our early afternoon. I absolutely adore the staff!! They are amazing and are passionate, which shows in their personalities and how they light up talking about all the different animals.

I was really, really taken with this place. It was really cool to see the gators and the snakes and…read moreemu, and just all the critters that have been rescued. I was really glad to see that there's a place like this that supports those critters but also saddened by how many had been pets at one time. It was a great place to support would definitely go back. We all enjoyed our visit. I recommend buying food to feed the gators, cause I was really fun.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is otherworldly and honestly one of the most unique landscapes to be…read moreexperiences in North America. It's a bit of a smaller park in terms of trails and not going to be like RMNP so make sure you know what you're getting into. We planned our trip for May when the creek is usually flowing and the dunes are optimal for sledding. Unfortunately for us we hit a patch of bad weather and it was drizzling our whole day spent here. Additionally the park is experiencing a dry spell and the creek that is usually flowing in May was still dry. C'est la vie! We still had a blast climbing the dunes, letting the kids play in the sand, and taking in the views. To be honest the views are the best part - it's incredible to see these dunes and learn more about the history of the landscape in this region of Colorado. We didn't get to sled as the conditions were not ideal for it but we plan on someday returning and doing the full experience. If you're on the fence about coming here it's well worth a visit!

We stopped at Great Sand Dunes National Park during a scenic drive to Durango and were impressed by…read moreits unique landscape. The massive dunes set against the surrounding mountain range create spectacular views unlike anything else in Colorado. The visitor center was well maintained, with clean restrooms, an informative museum, and had a short film highlighting the dune ecosystem. There is also a large gift shop, though prices were on the higher side. While I would not consider it a destination on its own, it is absolutely worth a stop if you're traveling through this part of the state. Note: No vehicles of any type are allowed on the dunes.

A great hot springs/pool in the area. Perfect for kids and the adults who constantly have to get in…read moreand out of the water. This is improved by the fairly lax safety they got going on here. No one cares who is on the slides or how many kids are at the bottom. Diving board? Sure, jump off it while kids are swimming in the deep end. There were lifeguards there if things got truly bad, but the hands-off approach allowed a good amount of appropriate youthful riskiness. And the heat of the water ensures you will all be relaxed and mellow by the end of it all. It's more expensive than a typical city pool, but it's nicely heated by the hot springs.

This is a hot springs public pool that's really great for children and families. Affordable prices,…read morethree slides, two diving boards. It's close to town and easy to get to. You can bring in snacks, but there's also a snack bar available. I only gave three stars because the lifeguard situation is not what it should be. There is at least 60 people in the pool, with all slides and diving boards open.. and there is only one lifeguard out who is sitting in a deck chair only half paying attention to anything. There's so many little kids, that there's lots of parents close by to keep an eye on their kids and those around them.. but the slides are a little dang mess. There are kids jumping in on top of each other because they aren't clearing underneath. This is such a great spot, I wish they would just beef up that aspect and it would be perfect.

Hidden gem I discovered on Google Maps while staying at an Airbnb in Crestone and driving into the…read moremain town. I was walking my two huskies and came across a few picnic areas and people who were camping. It was fun to walk along Willow Creek, even in the dead of winter. Lots of open spaces to enjoy the beautiful sunset. In case you're wondering and want to see photos!

Great leadership and care for the community! What a pleasure…read moreto live in such a well managed community.

We purchased 5 acres sight unseen would not recommend to most people. We did our research first…read more Forbes Park (Named for owner Malcolm Forbes) is about 13,000 acres and has about 5,000 acres of meadows, forests, streams, beaver ponds and lakes in protected common lands donated by Mr Forbes. Views of the San Isabel mountain are spectacular. The dream is someday to build on our lot as a summer getaway from the Phoenix heat. We just picnicked on out lot and a deer ran though on a game trail......not something you see every day. Tons of retired people.....that had big careers in a past life....... so tons of politics and infighting over mundane details, we have learned now toss all publications and enjoy are land. Younger generations are breathing fresh life into the area and new homes. We love our little slice of heaven.

This ranch is absolutely amazing. From the accommodations, to staff, to the view and location this…read moreplace is 5 stars! I hope to be able to go back soon. Highly recommended!

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!

Wow....... A big let down to be honest. Tee boxes were extremely hard and not well maintained, the…read morefairways were patchy and lacked a lot of green work. Now on to the greens..... extremely sandy and played way too hard and fast. Overall the course isn't well maintained gonna need some work. If you come out for a round golf ask about the greens before hand.

Can't say enough good things about this course. John in the pro shop is extremely friendly and…read morewilling to help you in any way he can. The layout of the course will keep you entertained and tested whatever your skill level may be. And the greens are in great shape. Played here mid-April and they are rolling fast and true. This is the university's course and the golf teams take great care of it (they actually fix their divots!). If you're in or around the Alamosa area, do yourself a favor and spend the $40 bucks on a great golf course!