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.

Best Western Alamosa Inn

Best Western Alamosa Inn

2.5 out of 5
2005 Main Street, Alamosa, CO
The price is ¥14,765 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
¥14,765
¥16,890 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
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 our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Tv remote sucked"

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Best Western Alamosa Inn
Quality Inn Alamosa

Quality Inn Alamosa

2.5 out of 5
333 Santa Fe Avenue, Alamosa, CO
The price is ¥13,115 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
¥13,115
¥14,675 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & 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! (373 reviews)
Comfort Inn: Like A Comfortable Old Shoe
"The Comfort Inn is convenient for travelers heading to the Great Sand Dunes or the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway. It’s been around for years. I wasn’t that thrilled with the food, but that wasn’t why I stopped there, the breakfast buffet was blah."

Reviewed on Aug 13, 2025

Quality Inn Alamosa
Dunes Inn

Dunes Inn

2.5 out of 5
425 Main St, Alamosa, CO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥13,100 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
¥13,100
¥14,987 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & 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! (1,005 reviews)
Hidden Gem
"Skip the big name hotels next time you are in Alamosa. This hotel is older, but has been updated, is extremely clean, and well maintained. The entire staff is extremely friendly and helpful. The brick walls in the room were a huge hidden bonus to help prevent unwanted noise from any neighbors. ..."

Reviewed on Aug 15, 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! (142 reviews)
"Very comfortable bed; Fantastic view of Great Sand Dunes Np and mountains; Amazing night view of sky and stars"

Reviewed on Aug 10, 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! (207 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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