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 Aug 25 to Aug 26
$100 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
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! (385 reviews)
"Was really great"

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2025

Quality Inn Alamosa
Comfort Inn & Suites Alamosa

Comfort Inn & Suites Alamosa

2.5 out of 5
6301 US HWY 160, Alamosa, CO
$110 nightly
The price is $125 total per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
$125 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
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! (1,003 reviews)
Great 1 night
"One night day was great. Comfortable bed, nice spacious room. I like the sink outside of the rest of the bathroom and they let me have a little later checkout very quiet I cannot even hear housekeeping vacuums in the morning!"

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2025

Comfort Inn & Suites Alamosa
Dunes Inn

Dunes Inn

2.5 out of 5
425 Main St, Alamosa, CO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$89 nightly
The price is $102 total per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
$102 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Alamosa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Nice place to stay in downtown Alamosa. Walking distance to multiple dining options."

Reviewed on Aug 21, 2025

Dunes 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.
Downtown Alamosa 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home

Downtown Alamosa 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home

Alamosa
Stay at this vacation home in Alamosa. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions San Luis Valley Museum and Little ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (69 reviews)
"Great stay. Well appointed and the parking was awesome. Having the garage available was something we never get in vacation rentals. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on Jul 22, 2025

Downtown Alamosa 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home
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! (145 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Aug 21, 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 WiFi, free parking, and free bicycles on site. Popular attractions Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (209 reviews)
Very clean rustic cabin
"Wonderful hosts, cabin with much charm, rustic, very clean Great time"

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Grandview Cabins & RV Resort
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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