Alamosa, CO

Travel Guide

Great Sand Dunes National Park showing a sunset and desert views as well as a couple
Great Sand Dunes National Park showing desert views
Alamosa showing signage
Del Norte showing signage
Great Sand Dunes National Park showing 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 kilometers) 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.

Quality Inn Alamosa

Quality Inn Alamosa

2.5 out of 5
333 Santa Fe Avenue, Alamosa, CO
$89 nightly
The price is $100 total per night from Oct 26 to Oct 27
$100 total
Oct 26 - Oct 27
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Alamosa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7/10 Good! (442 reviews)
Easy check in friendly staff

Reviewed on Oct 15, 2025

Quality Inn Alamosa
Comfort Inn & Suites Alamosa

Comfort Inn & Suites Alamosa

2.5 out of 5
6301 US HWY 160, Alamosa, CO
$84 nightly
The price is $96 total per night from Nov 15 to Nov 16
$96 total
Nov 15 - Nov 16
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Alamosa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,019 reviews)
The breakfast was substandard.

Reviewed on Oct 18, 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Alamosa
Best Western Alamosa Inn

Best Western Alamosa Inn

2.5 out of 5
2005 Main Street, Alamosa, CO
$99 nightly
The price is $113 total per night from Oct 30 to Oct 31
$113 total
Oct 30 - Oct 31
Total with taxes and 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 our 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 Oct 13, 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.
Rocky Mountain Views, sleeps 6 in a quiet country setting

Rocky Mountain Views, sleeps 6 in a quiet country setting

Alamosa
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Alamosa. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Little Medano Creek and Pinyon ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (81 reviews)
Easy in and out ,just two of us and we slept well.Great restaurants in town. Came for the Dunes

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2025

Rocky Mountain Views, sleeps 6 in a quiet country setting
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 WiFi, 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 Oct 14, 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 campground in Mosca. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and a picnic area. Popular attractions San Luis State Wildlife Area and Colorado ...
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 Oct 2, 2025

Rustic Rook Resort Great Sand Dunes
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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