The one we stayed at did not have views but we were able to stargaze as the location is pretty dark. To reach Zapata Falls Campground: (Trailhead at campground) From Highway 160, about 5 miles west of Blanca, turn north on Highway 150 and travel about 10.5 miles to BLM road 5415; turn east and travel another 2.5 miles to the campground entrance. At Zapata Falls campground, you're only 12 miles from Great Sand Dunes National Park where you'll enjoy gorgeous 360 views of the Dunes, San Luis Valley, and the San Juan Mountains. Hike one-half mile from the trailhead to Zapata Creek, wade upstream into the narrow cave to view the falls. The trail proceeds from the waterfall up South Zapata Creek to South Zapata Lake. Hikers often have to get wet to see this beauty, and they likely have to arrive early or on days off to avoid the crowds. Take this rock-studded, extremely steep dirt road 3.5 miles to the trailhead. Also, the road to the trailhead isn’t maintained in the winter, so access may be difficult at times. From Alamosa, take 160 east until the intersection to 150 heading north to the Sand Dunes National Monument. Zapata Falls ended up being a magical place. The campground is situated among pinyon pines, sagebrush, and wildflowers, beneath the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and of course—features a beautiful view of the Great Sand Dunes. While most passenger cars will do just fine on this road (4-WD is not needed), do expect your car to get a beating. None of us felt like setting up our tents, so the girls slept in the car while David and slept in sleeping bags under the stars. Just got back from the Dunes on Monday and it was fantastic. Winter is the best time to see Zapata Falls without getting wet, but instead of a flowing waterfall you’ll see a giant ice sculpture instead. The campground is open all year with 23 small RV and tent sites. Bathrooms are available at the parking lot. (The youngest national park is Pinnacles in California, established in 2013). Directions: To reach Zapata Falls Campground: From Highway 160, about 5 miles west of Blanca, turn north on Highway 150 and travel about 10.5 miles to BLM road 5415; turn east and travel another 2.5 miles . This campground will fill up, even in winter months (there are are only about 20 official spots to camp). This part of the trail is easy with only a mild elevation gain. Zapata Falls a Bureau of Land Management Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) is BLM. To reach Zapata Falls Campground: From Highway 160, about 5 miles west of Blanca, turn north on Highway 150 and travel about 10.5 miles to BLM road 5415; turn east and travel another 2.5 miles to the campground entrance. Before, getting to the Zapata Falls Recreation Area (you can't miss it, BLM has added a ton of signs and informational booths, just off highway 150) there is another . The trail is steep in many places.About 2.25 miles up the trail, North Fork South Zapata Creek Trail #868 begins. Because we talk about traveling a lot, we thought… why not share with you to help YOU travel more and make totally awesome memories, too? A guide to hiking and climbing Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks Follow this road to the parking area and campground. Zapata Falls is a waterfall located near the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on Bureau of Land Management land adjacent to Rio Grande National Forest and south of Great Sand Dunes National Park. 3. The campground usually fills up early on the weekends. This is a pretty uneventful part of the trail, but that’s OK, the only intention is to take you to the end of it. There is a USFS campground next to the Zapata Falls Trailhead. 4.6 - 5 Reviews ¢ . Found inside – Page 25Numerous observations around Cat Creek road in the Ponderosa pine ... In winter , one was seen at Zapata Falls , just off Forest in the Sangres 2-18-85 . Zapata Falls Campground Zapata Falls Campground. Zapata Falls is accessible in the winter when it turns into a frozen masterpiece of ice and snow. Found inside – Page 62Zapata Falls hides in a deep cleft in South Zapata Creek's narrow canyon east of the byway. Turn east on the marked dirt road at mile marker 10.5 and drive ... Zapata Falls Campground (area is unavailable) is located just below trailhead. From here until treeline the trail is uphill with . It’s less than half a mile to the creek. Fort Garland has tall shade trees, original adobe buildings, and a scenic view of 14,000 ft Blanca Peak. Found insideOn Medano Pass Primitive Road (4WD only) primitive campsites (21 sites, ... Nearby lodging options include the primitive Zapata Falls Campground (BLM Monte ... Get there early for awesome sites with amazing views. The sign and road for Zapata Falls will be on your right. There are 2 pull-thru RV spots, but the road up to Zapata is pretty bumpy. The campground sits at 9,000 feet at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. I had never seen anything like it. Passenger cars are fine, as there is no problem with clearance. Overview. High clearance isn’t required but can be useful around some of the rougher patches. The campground sits at 9,000 feet at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Directions: To reach Zapata Falls Campground: From Highway 160, about 5 miles west of Blanca, turn north on Highway 150 and travel about 10.5 miles to BLM road 5415; turn east and travel another 2.5 miles . Viewing the falls requires fording . Hiking to Zapata Falls and in the surrounding area is well worth the trip. A group of people, all looking for something more in their lives, and all they have in common is their Italian evening class... The Italian evening class at Mountainview School is like hundreds of others starting up all over the city. By late summer and early fall, the creek will have likely receded enough to avoid getting uncomfortably wet and cold. We're adventurous, so we asked the ranger at the Great Sand Dunes what else was worth seeing in the area. From the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center, drive south on the entrance road. Hikers will often have to get wet to see this beauty, and likely will need to arrive early or on off days to avoid the crowds. South Zapata Lake Access. Mesa Verde National Park Highway 150 to the Great Sand Dunes National Monument in Southern Colorado seemed empty, remote and lonely. Getting to Zapata Falls. I'm wondering if the rattling and jarring to the Ollie is worth the trip. No phone at the campground; BLM office number is 719-852-7074. Zapata falls has a lower trailhead which any car can access. Found inside – Page 10... and Zapata Falls 10 road miles away , have been considered by the State of Colorado for development as camp and picnic recreation areas . This campground offers activities like fishing, horseback riding and hunting. Zapata Falls Trail is a unique hike in south-central Colorado, often referred to as a “hidden Colorado gem.” The trail is short but adventurous and leads to a 25-foot waterfall. To reach the road to the campground from the Great Sand Dunes National Park, travel about 7 miles southwest on Highway 150. This is a rough road made up of exposed rock, potholes, and washboard. South Zapata Lake Access. Zapata Falls Campground. The campground is located on BLM road 5415, seven miles southwest of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Zapata Falls SRMA. You will take a left off Hwy 150 when you see the sign, and you'll go approximately 3 miles up a dirt road before reaching the Zapata Falls Recreation Area. The trail is popular during all for seasons but tends to be at its busiest around the time Medano Creek is flowing (late spring) when the park attracts the most visitors. Unfortunately, Zapata Falls is a popular destination and was swarming with people around 3 pm, when we decided to visit. Outlines economical options for family camping vacations, sharing irreverent, anecdotal and practical guidelines for families with very young children while explaining how to select gear and address needs with a minimum of stress. Found inside – Page 272Trail Ridge Road, 221-34; highlights, 221; history of, 221-24; listings, 234; map, ... 19 Weminuche Wilderness, 28, 30 West Chicago Creek Campground, 210, ... Zapata Falls Campground is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Campground in the Sangre de Cristo mountains overlooking the San Luis Valley. Most cars tackle the rough and rocky route to Zapata Falls for Zapata Falls, a relatively short but technically complicated hike/wade to an enclosed waterfall. The closest services are in downtown Alamosa located 30 miles to the west. Zapata Falls Campground in Rio Grande National Forest, Mosca Colorado - Page 2. The unpaved road from the highway to the campgrounds gains 1,000 feet in 3.6 miles and is rough in places. Places near Zapata Falls Campground, Highway, Mosca, CO, USA: 36 Cottonwood Loop Twin Peaks California Peak Blanca Peak North Zapata Ridge High Dune Piñon Flats Campground 8th Street Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve Mosca Campground Blanca 7th St, Blanca, CO, USA Mount Herard Duncan Mesita Road Cleveland Peak Blueberry Peak Road . Shocking and controversial when it was first published in 1939, Steinbeck's Pulitzer prize-winning epic remains his undisputed masterpiece. Found insideIn Ada, award-winning author Sue Rainsford has created an utterly bewitching heroine, one who challenges conventional ideas of womanhood and the secrets of the body. “A triumph of imagination and myth-bending…equal parts beauty and ... The sign and road for Zapata Falls will be on your right. Camping near Zapata Falls. Upload Photos View 49 Photos. Each spot has a picnic table and fire ring. 10.7 miles north (about 3 miles before the Monument) there will be a dirt road heading east toward the Sangre De Christo Mountians. The next segment of the trail involves traversing the creek to a 25-foot waterfall that’s hidden inside a cave. Hidden falls are totally wild, I agree, but no thanks. As an intimate look at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and the San Luis Valley, this book reveals a desert place as seductive and sobering as existence itself. If staying overnight at Zapata Falls Campground, arrive early for a prime spot with uninterrupted views. It begins at the end of BLM Road 5415 (the Zapata Falls road) and ends at South Zapata Lake. The hike consists of two parts. If you're driving through Colorado, this park is definitely worth making a stop.Here's why: Great Sand Dunes graduated from a national monument in 2004, making it our second youngest national park! Bring bug spray if you’re visiting during the mosquito season. (Dogs must be kept on leash.). South Zapata Trail #852 access is open to hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding, but mountain biking is strictly prohibited. To reach the road to the trail from the Great Sand Dunes National Park, travel about 7 miles southwest on Highway 150, Map showing recreational areas. fun things to do when visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park, The 8 Best Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, High Dune Hike – Great Sand Dunes National Park (With Kids), Junction Creek Campground – Durango, Colorado (Pros/Cons). 9000 feet elevation sounds nice and cool. This is actually on BLM land in the Rio Grande National Forest, but it is a paid campground. Your email address will not be published. I parked my truck just before the campground entrance and was on the trail at 6:30am. Great, little rocky hike to Zapata Falls at the base of . We are a family of 4 who loves to travel and explore places both new and old. First, a wide rocky path brings you to a creek (South Zapata Creek) where the trail comes to a dead end. The campground is located on BLM road 5415, seven miles southwest of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Located in the San Luis Valley near the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Alamosa County, it's about three hours from Colorado Springs; Five hours from Fort Collins and four hours from Denver. ; They exist because the valley in between the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges is the perfect pocket . Found inside – Page 5... Cold Creek Medano Pass Primitive Road Castle Creek Dunefield Sand Creek ... Big Spring Creek Pinyon Flats Campground Mosca Creek 583 Mosca Pass Great ... Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Hearing Impaired: 719-852-6271. A locked padlock) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. The upper trailhead is accessible by 2WD vehicles as well, but conditions could potentially change that on certain days, or during winter months. Take that until you come to the loop, off of which there will be the hiking path to get to the falls. Open year-round; bumpy dirt access road is not snowplowed in winter, but many vehicles drive on it, packing down the snow. It offers sweeping views of the San Luis Valley, the San Juan . Not a terribly limited parking situation, but given the popularity of this hike, parking can fill to capacity surprisingly quickly here. The road to the Zapata Falls campground is a short and rocky drive, making the ride for cars with all-wheel drive much easier. Though the waterfall is only a short distance up the creek, it isn’t visible from any portion of the trail or even from the creek bed itself. The elevation of the campground provided spectacular views of the sand dunes and a short hike gave access to the base of the frozen Zapata Waterfall. Primitive camping is available just down the road from the parking lot at the. Enjoy Zapata Falls(20 feet high wall cascade waterfall) by taking a hike from the Zapata Falls recreational area that is located nearby from the Great . Falling ice may be a hazard in spring. After all, we don’t remember the sights nearly as much as we remember the experiences. Without much light on the road it was difficult to see the turn for the Zapata Falls Campground. Access to this waterfall entails a mildly steep 0.5 mi (0.80 km) hike. The access road is well marked south of the GSDNP entrance, a short drive but bumpy ride will get you to the trailhead. Zapata Falls Campground is first-come, first-served, and fills most nights during Medano Creek's flow in May and June. The falls and stream were frozen at the surface but liquid water still flowed between the ice and rock beneath. This hidden gem is roughly 14 miles from Piñon Flats Campground. Photo by: Brittany Woiderski. A resident of the San Luis Valley examines the unusual events that have occurred there, including the strange rumbling noises coming from underground, a crystal skull found on the Baca, and the truth about the UFO sightings. Original. Approx 4.5-5 mi north and there will be a road on the east side of the highway that leads up to Zapata Falls Trail. Zapata Falls Campground. It is a 'vehicle shaker' with lots of bumps in the road, so plan on extra time and slow speeds. Another popular option is the Zapata Falls campground. Write a Review. Found inside – Page 690The worthwhile trek up Zapata Falls , just outside of the Two cowpokes sat ... 150 , follow the about the origin of the majestic gravel road for 342 mi . to ... The views at the campground are very nice, but the road going there isn't so great. Viewing the falls requires fording . San Luis State Wildlife Area is located at 16399 Lane 6 North Mosca, CO 81146. The campground has just 23 tent or small RV Camp spots. To view the falls, hike one-half mile from the trailhead to Zapata Creek, going up an old roadbed and wade upstream into the narrow cave to view the falls. There shoudl be a sign indicating the road to Zapata Falls. I can't say for sure, but I think those individuals took Blanca Road instead of Zapata Falls Road. The 4WD road to the correct trailhead was a little rough in the beginning with a lot of softball-bowling ball sized rocks, but after the first mile or so it smoothed out. Found inside – Page 542WICHITA FALLS - Continued WICHITA FALLS AV PARK - Continued No tents . ... then 1 mi Won gravel road hookups , many seasonal sites , 13 pull - thrus , a / c ... This text explores the natural history of Texas and more than 2900 springs in 183 Texas counties. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the endemic flora and fauna, human history of indigenous lifeways, and diverse settlement patterns that have shaped the region. The routes featured consistently form up each year and are primarily hard-water pathways. The focus of Colorado Ice is on the ascents-less traveled, but also included are the most popular and well-known ice climbs in the state. Found insideYou can feel proud that your purchase of this book supports the people who need it most, giving them the tools to make healthy and delicious food. An IACP Cookbook Awards Winner. Watch for falling rocks. The falls has a drop of 30-foot (9.1 m). This campground has breathtaking views of Great Sand Dunes National Park to the north and San Juan mountain range on the other side of the valley. Zapata Falls is a great campground for a quiet getaway where you can enjoy the serenity of nature. (Dogs must be kept on leash.) No drinking water. Take Hwy 160 to Ft. Garland and then Blanca. Camping is free during the off-season and a fee during peak time. Description. It is a 'vehicle shaker' with lots of bumps in the road, so plan on extra time and slow speeds. Zapata Falls Campground. It's located 10 miles south of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The hike to Zapata Falls from the parking lot is an easy 1-mile out-and-back trek. Your email address will not be published. Zapata Falls is located seven miles from Great Sand Dunes National Park. Just past a defunct trail . Except for the winter season, wear shoes that can get wet, and keep them on at all times in the creek. The South Zapata trail is 4.8 miles long. The South Zapata trail is 4.8 miles long. There are probably about two dozen spots in the designated parking lot plus several parking spaces around the lot and along the road. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Take the Zapata Falls Trail to start. Zapata Falls is not only a bucket list destination hike on its own, it’s also one of the many fun things to do when visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park which ultimately brings even more crowds. In the summer, the water in the creek is still generally cold and raging, which makes Zapata Falls the perfect place to cool off after visiting the sun-baked dune field of the nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The falls has a drop of 30-foot (9.1 m). Take the Zapata Falls Trail to start. Rio Grande National Forest, 1803 W. Highway 160 To view the falls, hike one-half mile from the trailhead to Zapata Creek, going up an old roadbed and wade upstream into the narrow cave to view the falls. Unfortunately, Zapata Falls is a popular destination and was swarming with people around 3 pm, when we decided to visit. Zapata Campground Loop Mosca, CO 81146 719-852-5941 Official Website. It begins at BLM Road 5415 (the Zapata Falls road) and ends at South Zapata Lake. Before you head to Zapata Falls to see this marvel yourself, here are 5 things you should know that will help you prepare for this hike: Type: Out-and-backDistance: 0.9 miles (round trip)Difficulty: Easy/ModerateTrailhead: Near Mosca, ColoradoTrail map: View mapFee: No. Watch for falling rocks. Found insideFrom hiking with infants to navigating RV camping in state parks and camping in national parks—these outdoor lovers have tried it all, and See You at the Campground is a beautifully illustrated camping book for adults packed with personal ... It's quite a drive to hike Zapata Falls, and you may want to do more than just hike. The road up is fairly steep and VERY rocky. The campground is located on BLM road 5415, seven miles southwest of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. The trail that leads to the creek is nothing exciting, and the road to the trailhead is pure hell. It’s generally best to plan on coming early in the morning or later in the afternoon, but who knows, you may just get lucky. Zapata Falls Campground - San Luis Valley Zapata Falls Campground is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Campground in the Sangre de Cristo mountains overlooking the San Luis Valley. Please see the Campbase map for an accurate campground location. The 30 foot high waterfall cascades within a narrow chasim. Use caution on a spring Zapata Falls hike. He advised us to drive and hike up to experience the Zapata Falls. Nice BLM CG with a couple vault toilets and camp host on site. When you turn off the highway heading to the campground the vegetation is really sparse but the road climbs quite a bit so you end up camping in an area with pinon and juniper trees. Zapata is a small gated community nestled into the foothills of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains . Zapata Falls: rare birds and an option to tour the tallest dunes on the continent Zapata Falls is in the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. After taking a nap, we went on a short hike to Zapata Falls. After one U-turn, we ventured up the 3 mile dirt road and found one of the last campsites around 10pm. VERY rough road (2.8 miles) getting to it. In the spring, with all the snowmelt forcing its way down, the creek swells up and reaching the falls requires wading through frigid raging water, all while navigating slippery rocks. If you have time, one can hike star dune(5 Hour roundtrip) - the tallest dune in America. During the wintertime, the falls freeze, converting it into a really neat ice climbing site. It costs $11 per night and is pretty close to the entrance to the Great Sand Dunes. Just on the west side of Blanca look for State Route 150 north. They can be contacted via phone at (719) 587-6900 for pricing, directions, reservations and more. Colorado, Great Sand Dunes Oasis Campground is located just thr.. Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes National Park is located at 8,200 fee.. Colorado, Piñon Flat Campground, Great Sand Dunes National Pa.. Colorado, Piñon Flat Group Campground, Great Sand Dunes .. Colorado, Mosca Campground San Luis Lake State Wildlife Area. Aug 30, 2021 - Four-wheelers, van campers, popups, and other motorized travel and living solutions for the ultimate road trip and overlanding adventures. South Zapata Falls Trail. Open year round; bumpy dirt access road is not snowplowed in winter, but many vehicles drive on it, packing down the snow. The turn-off onto Zapata Falls Road (BLM Road 5415) can be found approximately 7 miles southwest of Great Sand Dunes National Park, along State Highway 150. The footage above is only available thanks to my husband who was crazy kind enough to go all the way. On top of that, the water of South Zapata . However, it is well worth the trip. 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