Pinon Flats Campground
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- Right now
- Taking bookingsSites offered on 15 of the next 15 nights read 16:52 UTC
- A night
- $20From, per site
- Sites
- 9089 on recreation.gov
The place
the agency’s own description · what’s there · 15 notices
In the agency’s own words
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is in the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado at an elevation of 8,175 feet. The dunes lie on the eastern edge of the valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Range. The dunefield is part of the nearly 150,000 total acres of the park and preserve that also protects alpine lakes, tundra, six peaks over 13,000 feet, ancient spruce and pine forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and wetlands. The park is part of a fragile, dynamic system that influences and sustains the tallest dunes in North America. Keep reading
President Herbert Hoover established the park unit as a national monument by presidential proclamation on March 17, 1932 through the Antiquities Act. The Works Progress Administration constructed the Superintendent’s Residence, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But otherwise, GRSA did not see a great deal of development during the New Deal. Park development did not occur in earnest until Mission 66. During this period, the NPS was able to construct a Visitor Center, the Pinon Flat Campground (88 sites), a picnic area, five comfort stations, six single family residences and a triplex, while also building or improving roads and trails through the park. The Visitor Center shows the motivation of the Western Office of Design and Construction to configure designs to corresponding regions using principles of “regional modernism.” Built in the Pueblo Revival style, the Visitor Center mimics adobe construction through modern materials and forms blended with traditional materials and forms seen during the CCC-era in Cecil Doty’s work. Following Mission 66, Congress designated nearly 91% of the monument as wilderness in 1976, which certainly limited the park’s ability to further develop visitor and administrative facilities. GRSA became a national park and preserve in 2000, which also included a transfer of land from the Rio Grande National Forest. The dunes have long stood as a landmark for travelers from ancient North Americans to Southern Ute, Jicarilla Apaches, Navajos, early explorers, gold miners, homesteaders, ranchers, farmers and migrant field workers, to you - today's park visitor.
Recreation
Great Sand Dunes' wide range of natural features provides endless outdoor recreational activities. The park is perfect for kids, who love exploring the dunefield on foot or by sled. Medano Creek, at the base of the dunes, is a popular place in the summertime. Kids and adults alike love to splash in the cool water. Many kid-friendly, ranger-led activities and a junior ranger program are available. Many miles of hiking and backpacking trails lead through the park's forests and alpine terrain, including the Mosca Pass Trail, Dunes Overlook/Sand Ramp Trail and Indian Grove Trail.
Facilities
Reservations are required to stay in Pinon Flats campground. The campground offers 88 campsites. The park recommends making a reservation in advance, especially for peak summer months from May through September. Private first-come, first-served camping is also available just outside the park boundary. For more information about camping, visit www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/camping.htm. Due to the historic design, the campground may not be able to accommodate all large, modern size vehicles. Most sites are small and unlevel, review photos and measurements carefully when choosing a site. During visitor center operating hours, you can see a park film, experience interactive exhibits, speak with a helpful ranger and visit the Western National Parks Association store. Kids of all ages can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet or participate in the Junior Ranger Explorer program.
Natural Features
Great Sand Dunes are the magnificent centerpiece of a natural system that includes high mountain peaks, sparkling streams, vast grasslands and lush forests. The campground is situated among pinon pines and sagebrush beneath the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Most sites have beautiful views of the snow-covered peaks. A wide variety of grasses and wildflowers can be found throughout the area, and mule deer are commonly seen in and around the campground.
Nearby Attractions
Zapata Falls is just south of the national park off Highway 150. A short but slippery 1/2-mile hike leads to a 25-foot high cascade. Simply driving to the trailhead provides an excellent view of the entire dunefield and San Luis Valley, especially at sunrise or sunset. San Luis State Wildlife Area is located at the western edge of Great Sand Dunes National Park. It features a large natural lake popular for boating, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing and fishing.
Charges & Cancellations
This is not a staffed facility. Campground hosts may be available for assistance. Visitors are responsible for knowing their site number and proceeding to the correct site after 2:00 PM. Early check in is not available. A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at the campground during their reservation, and does not cancel their reservation. Because this is an unstaffed location, the site will be held for the duration of the reservation and the visitor will not receive a refund for time not spent in the site. Due to the limited number of sites in Pinon Flats Campground, please cancel or change your reservation if you can not use it, so other campers have an opportunity to stay. Rules and Reservation Policies
What the agency tells you
You must have a reservation to camp at Piñon Flats Campground. First-come, first-serve camping is not available.
Choose your site carefully. If you arrive in camping equipment that is larger than the site, there will not be an alternative site available and you will have to find accommodation outside the park. All tents and gear must fit within established tent pads and/or within rock wall.
Maximum of 8 people, 2 tents, 2 vehicles per site. Not all sites fit 2 tents or 2 vehicles, a trailer counts as a vehicle. Please see each individual site details, warnings and need to know for specifications. There must be at least one adult (18+) staying in each site.
Everything else this campground posts · 12
There is no waiting list for campsites and staff cannot hold available sites at the campground.
Total combined length limit is 35 feet. RVs over 35 feet, or combined vehicle plus trailer length over 35 feet, are not allowed in the campground. Trailers, RVs, and Vehicles cannot block the road and must be parked on pavement.
Generator use is permitted only between the hours of 8-10am, 12-2pm, and 5-7pm.
Nothing can be attached to any trees or vegetation, to include hammocks, ropes, garbage bags, etc.
No showers, hookups or laundry facilities available in the park.
Never leave fires unattended! Extinguish fire with water, not dirt. Firewood gathering is prohibited; wood may be purchased at the camp store.
Utilize bear boxes at all times and keep campsite clean. No food, garbage, or cooking equipment may be left unattended. Picnic tables cannot be moved from one site to another.
Scooters, skateboards, and inline skates are not permitted in the campground. Drones are not permitted anywhere within park boundaries. Fireworks are prohibited.
Pets must be on leash at all times and not left unattended. Pick up after pets, dispose of waste properly.
Group sites are tent-only; no RVs or trailers allowed.
An entrance pass is required while in the park and is not included in the camping fee.
For emergencies, dial 911 from your cell phone.
Tents and rigs
- Sites
- 90 · 37 tent-only, 3 group
- Hookups
- None
- Longest rig
- 35 ft
- Paved pads
- All
- Accessible sites
- 5
- Pets
- Allowed
- Campfires
- Allowed, barring fire bans
- Shade
- 53 of 74 sites
Facilities
- Toilets
- Flush Toilets - seasonal
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- recreation.gov lists “Dump Station”
Around the campground
- On the water
- Lake, Creek
- Amphitheater
- Birding
- Educational Programs
- Evening Programs
- Hiking
- Stargazing
- Night sky · 142nd darkest of 522 in CO
- Bortle 2
6 of 178 site-nights open this Friday and Saturdayread 16:52 UTC
recreation.gov lists 89 of the 90 campsites the agency files here. The rest aren’t on its booking system, so a reservation won’t get you one.
OpenBooked
Watch for a cancellation
Full? Watch it.
One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
Tell me when the season opens
Watch for the season to open
One email when the season goes on sale, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We check once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time the agency has that season on sale.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.
Every line of the receipt · 18
What you actually pay
Derived by CAMPANAC: the agency’s published rate for this season, $20 a night, plus one $8 recreation.gov reservation fee for the booking. A weekend here means Friday and Saturday night, booked once. Optional charges (an extra vehicle, a second tent, a dump-station fee) are listed separately and aren’t in this total.
“This is not a staffed facility. Campground hosts may be available for assistance. Visitors are responsible for knowing their site number and proceeding to the correct site after 2:00 PM. Early check in is not available. A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at the campground during their reservation, and does…” · this campground’s own no-show terms
Who keeps the booking fee
The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →
How we know this receipt · 6
recreation.gov availability, read 16:52 UTC · rules read Sep 9, 2026 · rates Sep 10, 2026 · How we know all this
The sites
90 sites · which ones have room · the site map
The sites, ranked
from 89 mapped sitesAll 90 sites
The price is derived by CAMPANAC, not published per site: the per-night rate this campground publishes for each site’s own site type. 89 of the 90 sites listed carry one, and a site whose type has no published rate sits out of the price rather than being called free.
Measured shade is NLCD Tree Canopy Cover 2024 (USDA Forest Service / MRLC) read at the site’s own coordinate, 27% canopy or more, and only for the sites the agency gave no Shade value. It never changes the agency’s own shaded count beside it.
| Group Loop | A | group tent only area nonelectric | 170 ft | 3,446 ft | $65–$80 | ||
| Group Loop | B | group tent only area nonelectric | 170 ft | 3,506 ft | $65–$80 | ||
| Group Loop | C | group tent only area nonelectric | yes | 222 ft | 3,718 ft | $65–$80 | |
| Loop 1 | 001 | type not stated | 35 ft | 3,379 ft | |||
| Loop 1 | 002 | rv nonelectric | 22 ft | 56 ft | 3,474 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 003 | tent only nonelectric | 18 ft | 56 ft | 3,480 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 004 | rv nonelectric | 18 ft | 48 ft | 3,554 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 005 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 48 ft | 3,583 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 006 | tent only nonelectric | 15 ft | 47 ft | 3,654 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 007 | tent only nonelectric | 18 ft | 47 ft | 3,697 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 009 | tent only nonelectric | 70 ft | 3,777 ft | $20 | ||
| Loop 1 | 010 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | yes | 48 ft | 3,802 ft | $20 |
| Loop 1 | 011 | rv nonelectric | 18 ft | 48 ft | 3,850 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 012 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 48 ft | 3,911 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 013 | tent only nonelectric | 15 ft | 48 ft | 3,931 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 014 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | yes | 94 ft | 4,007 ft | $20 |
| Loop 1 | 015 | tent only nonelectric | 15 ft | 67 ft | 4,089 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 016 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 67 ft | 4,156 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 017 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 47 ft | 4,297 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 018 | rv nonelectric | 30 ft | 47 ft | 4,327 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 019 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 54 ft | 4,280 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 020 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 47 ft | 4,337 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 021 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 47 ft | 4,322 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 022 | tent only nonelectric | 15 ft | 51 ft | 4,272 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 023 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | 51 ft | 4,228 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 024 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 51 ft | 4,177 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 025 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 55 ft | 4,080 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 026 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 55 ft | 4,074 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 027 | rv nonelectric | 15 ft | 54 ft | 4,012 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 028 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 54 ft | 4,016 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 029 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 46 ft | 3,949 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 030 | tent only nonelectric | 18 ft | 46 ft | 3,945 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 031 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 62 ft | 3,883 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 032 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 79 ft | 3,805 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 033 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 69 ft | 3,583 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 034 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 69 ft | 3,583 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 035 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 54 ft | 3,497 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 036 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 34 ft | 3,459 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 037 | tent only nonelectric | 18 ft | 51 ft | 3,434 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 038 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 34 ft | 3,426 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 039 | rv nonelectric | 30 ft | 35 ft | 3,364 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 040 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 35 ft | 3,355 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 041 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 49 ft | 3,399 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 042 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 49 ft | 3,351 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 043 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 42 ft | 3,398 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 1 | 044 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 42 ft | 3,359 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 045 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 132 ft | 3,578 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 046 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 77 ft | 3,674 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 047 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 77 ft | 3,702 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 048 | tent only nonelectric | 15 ft | 72 ft | 3,757 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 049 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 73 ft | 3,843 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 050 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 72 ft | 3,826 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 051 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | yes | 64 ft | 3,914 ft | $20 |
| Loop 2 | 052 | tent only nonelectric | 15 ft | 57 ft | 3,967 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 053 | tent only nonelectric | 15 ft | 49 ft | 3,995 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 054 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 49 ft | 4,029 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 055 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 52 ft | 4,121 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 056 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 52 ft | 4,136 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 057 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 47 ft | 4,214 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 058 | tent only nonelectric | 15 ft | 47 ft | 4,215 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 059 | tent only nonelectric | 25 ft | 53 ft | 4,267 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 060 | rv nonelectric | 30 ft | 78 ft | 4,319 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 061 | rv nonelectric | 15 ft | 138 ft | 4,455 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 062 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 53 ft | 4,663 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 063 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | yes | 36 ft | 4,689 ft | $20 |
| Loop 2 | 064 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 36 ft | 4,691 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 065 | rv nonelectric | 30 ft | 86 ft | 4,601 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 066 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 51 ft | 4,676 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 067 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 62 ft | 4,632 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 068 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 53 ft | 4,571 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 069 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 52 ft | 4,575 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 070 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 52 ft | 4,535 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 071 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 55 ft | 4,524 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 072 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 59 ft | 4,425 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 073 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 58 ft | 4,373 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 074 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 77 ft | 4,319 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 075 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 58 ft | 4,321 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 076 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 67 ft | 4,218 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 077 | rv nonelectric | 35 ft | 67 ft | 4,228 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 078 | tent only nonelectric | 18 ft | 53 ft | 4,134 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 079 | rv nonelectric | 25 ft | 53 ft | 4,121 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 080 | rv nonelectric | 30 ft | 59 ft | 4,054 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 081 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 59 ft | 4,022 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 082 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 87 ft | 3,912 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 083 | rv nonelectric | 30 ft | 49 ft | 3,791 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 084 | tent only nonelectric | 24 ft | 49 ft | 3,787 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 085 | tent only nonelectric | 25 ft | 51 ft | 3,734 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 086 | rv nonelectric | 30 ft | 51 ft | 3,708 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 087 | rv nonelectric | 20 ft | 66 ft | 3,649 ft | $20 | |
| Loop 2 | 088 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | 66 ft | 3,584 ft | $20 |
25 of 90 listed
Getting there
the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Where it is
Backpacking Campsites in the Dunes or ForestGreat Sand Dunes National Park · 2.8 mi
Medano Pass Primitive Road CampsitesGreat Sand Dunes National Preserve · 4.1 miZapata Falls CampgroundSan Luis Valley Field Office · 9.2 mi
Zapata Falls CampgroundSan Luis Valley Field Office · 9.4 mi
Duncan CabinRio Grande National Forest · 11 miNorth Crestone Creek CampgroundRio Grande National Forest · 21 miFrom Highway 160, turn north on Highway 150 and follow for 16 miles to the entrance of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Continue 5 miles north on the park's main road to reach the campground entrance.
From Highway 285, turn south onto CO-17 and follow for 36 miles (58 km). Turn east onto Lane 6 and follow for 16 miles (26 km) to Highway 150. Turn north onto Highway 150 and follow for 2.6 miles (4 km) to the entrance of Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Continue 5 miles (8 km) north on the park's main road to reach the campground entrance.
The weather
the next four days · the thirty-year normal
Next four days, and the thirty-year normal
Forecast
NWS forecast for Gardner, CO
Typical weather
Typical October night 33°F, day 60°F.
Coldest month of the year: typical January night 11°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.
Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more
A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.
The land, and who answers for it
what threatens it · who answers for it
Roadless country, and what’s coming for it
You’re camping on ground somebody wants. We track the threats and the comment deadlines.
Who answers for this land
Pinon Flats Campground is in Colorado’s 3rd congressional district. Its representative, Jeff Hurd (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →