Alamosa Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Great Sand Dunes National Park showing desert views and a sunset as well as a couple
Alamosa
Alamosa featuring signage
Del Norte showing signage
Great Sand Dunes National Park which includes desert views and landscape views as well as a couple

Located just outside the natural beauty of Great Sand Dunes National Park, this small city makes a great base to explore Colorado’s San Luis Valley. 

Alamosa is the commercial and tourism hub of Colorado’s San Luis Valley, nestled between mountains and deserts. Experience some of the state’s most beautiful wilderness from this bustling city.

Alamosa is Spanish for “of cottonwood.” Admire these beautiful trees throughout the town and lining the shores of the Rio Grande River that snakes through the region.

In the 1870s, the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad brought commerce and a huge population increase to the area. The San Luis Valley History Museum presents the valley’s past, from its original Native American inhabitants and European settlement up until the late 19th century.

Alamosa is home to Adams State University, a small liberal arts college with about 3,500 students. Explore regional art and artifacts at the Luther Bean Museum, located in Richardson Hall on the university’s campus. See Native American pottery, weavings and other pieces of art.

Stop downtown at Firedworks Gallery, a local institution. Whether you are there to shop or just to browse, this contemporary art gallery has a wide variety of pieces on display and is well worth a visit.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is the San Luis Valley’s biggest attraction. Located just 34 miles (54.7 kilometres) outside Alamosa, this park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. Go hiking, beach sledding and camping.

See the region’s wildlife at Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge. This protected area largely consists of wetlands. Take the short hiking trail to look for birds, deer, coyotes and beavers.

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a popular bird sanctuary a 25-minute drive from downtown Alamosa. Trails and roads wind through the park. Each spring, visitors flock to the refuge to see scores of migrating sandhill cranes that stop here in their annual trip north.

As primarily desert region, the San Luis Valley gets little precipitation. Temperatures are rarely uncomfortably hot during the summer and it can get very cold a night. Rent a car to get around Alamosa and its surrounds with ease.

Comfort Inn & Suites Alamosa

Comfort Inn & Suites Alamosa

2.5 out of 5
6301 US HWY 160, Alamosa, CO
The price is ₹9,410 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹9,410
₹10,765 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Alamosa. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,020 reviews)
"The walk- in shower was an added bonus."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Alamosa
Best Western Alamosa Inn

Best Western Alamosa Inn

2.5 out of 5
2005 Main Street, Alamosa, CO
The price is ₹7,670 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
₹7,670
₹8,775 total
29 Jul - 30 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Alamosa. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
"Though this Best Western looks aged and outdated, our room looked like it had been recently remodeled with clean paint and a new (although eerily squishy) tub insert. To help you make plans, here’s more: Half the rooms are on the second floor with no elevator. If you can’t manage hauling luggage ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

Best Western Alamosa Inn
Quality Inn Alamosa

Quality Inn Alamosa

2.5 out of 5
333 Santa Fe Avenue, Alamosa, CO
The price is ₹7,232 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹7,232
₹8,093 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Alamosa. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.2/10 Good! (326 reviews)
"Staff was awesome and room was great. Would recommend to everyone."

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Quality Inn Alamosa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rustic Rook Resort Great Sand Dunes

Rustic Rook Resort Great Sand Dunes

2 out of 5
13254 Lane 5 N, Mosca, CO
Stay at this campsite in Mosca. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and a picnic area. Popular attractions San Luis State Wildlife Area and Colorado Gators ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (134 reviews)
"its good property for over night stay"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

Rustic Rook Resort Great Sand Dunes
Grandview Cabins & RV Resort

Grandview Cabins & RV Resort

3 out of 5
0613 Highway 149, South Fork, CO
Stay at this 3-star cabin in South Fork. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and free bicycles on-site. Popular attractions Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (203 reviews)
Rustic vibes with modern amenities
"These cute cabins were just right; beds were comfortable and had different pillows to choose from, kitchen had basic items necessary for mealtime, shower was quaint and clean. We enjoyed the swing on the front porch and the hot tub. The Wi-Fi worked great, we never had any issues. The host was helpful ..."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2025

Grandview Cabins & RV Resort
Chinook Cabins & RV Park

Chinook Cabins & RV Park

3 out of 5
29668 W Hwy 160, South Fork, CO
Stay at this 3-star cabin in South Fork. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Wolf Creek Anglers and Rio Grande Club are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (269 reviews)
"Outstanding little cabin. So clean, tidy and well equipped. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on 7 Jun 2025

Chinook Cabins & RV Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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