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 ₹7,400 per night from 15 Nov to 16 Nov
₹7,400
₹8,465 total
15 Nov - 16 Nov
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! (1,019 reviews)
The breakfast was substandard.

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Alamosa
Quality Inn Alamosa

Quality Inn Alamosa

2.5 out of 5
333 Santa Fe Avenue, Alamosa, CO
The price is ₹7,835 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
₹7,835
₹8,767 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
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 ...
7/10 Good! (442 reviews)
Easy check in friendly staff

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2025

Quality Inn Alamosa
Best Western Alamosa Inn

Best Western Alamosa Inn

2.5 out of 5
2005 Main Street, Alamosa, CO
The price is ₹8,669 per night from 30 Oct to 31 Oct
₹8,669
₹9,918 total
30 Oct - 31 Oct
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. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,017 reviews)
One night stay. More of a motel setup. Basic room, clean & comfortable. Breakfast was your normal fare for a Best Western. Pool and hot tub looked clean, but we didnt use either. We had a room near the front, which came with road noise, but died down as it got later. All in all a nice stay for a ...

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Best Western Alamosa Inn
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.
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! (212 reviews)
It was a great place and they were accommodating

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2025

Grandview Cabins & RV Resort
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (154 reviews)
The staff were so nice and the cabana was clean and roomy. The only thing to watch out for are the bugs that get inside, but that’s just because of the location and completely understandable. Also, dining options are about a 20 min drive, again due to its location. But just keep that in mind when ...

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2025

Rustic Rook Resort Great Sand Dunes
Riverside Meadows Cabins

Riverside Meadows Cabins

3 out of 5
2 Dodge City Road, South Fork, CO
Stay at this 3-star cabin in South Fork. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Wolf Creek Anglers and Rio Grande Club ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (200 reviews)
Had a wonderful time at Riverside Meadows Cabins. Relaxed, comfortable and friendly. We'd stay here again. R&K

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

Riverside Meadows Cabins
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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