5 Amazing Activities for Nature Lovers Near Alamosa, CO
Like many RV parks in Colorado, Cool Sunshine RV Park is blessed to be located in close proximity to so many amazing natural wonders. From mountains and waterfalls to enormous sand dunes, we’ve got everything nearby.
This makes Alamosa a wonderful place to experience travel trailer parks. Whether you’re a frequent RV camper or this is your first time, there are plenty of activities nearby to make your adventure a truly memorable one.
If you love getting outdoors and spending some quality time in nature, look no further than Alamosa and the surrounding area. Here are some of the top activities for nature lovers that are easily accessible from the town and local campgrounds, including our own Cool Sunshine RV Park.
1) Snap Some Photos at the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge
Depending on what time of year you visit this park, you have the opportunity to see different kinds of impressive wildlife. Springtime is the most popular season for one big reason.
The refuge is especially known for the thousands of Sand Hill Cranes that appear in March – the sound they make while calling to each other is unforgettable. There’s even a crane festival hosted in March in Monte Vista that offers tours of the area to catch glimpses of the birds.
Although the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is especially recognized amongst bird watchers, it’s also a sanctuary for all lovers of nature. Photographers love snapping pictures of the grazing livestock, dramatic backdrops, and many species of birds.
2) Try Out Some Sand Sports at the Great Sand Dunes
Ever heard of sandboarding? What about sand sledding? Or sand skiing?
The Great Sand Dunes National Park offers unique opportunities for nature lovers to experience the dramatic landscape in a whole new way. There are boards and sleds made specifically for sand, and people travel from around the country to slide their way down the large dunes.
Whether you’re a nature lover who is interested in Great Sand Dunes National Park camping or snapping photographs of the alien national park, you have to give some of these sports a try. Sandboarding, sledding, and even skiing are allowed anywhere on the dune field, as long as it doesn’t damage vegetated areas.
For sand sporting equipment rentals, head to Alamosa. There are several services that offer boards in the town, which is only 40 miles away from the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center.
3) Fish on the Rio Grande River
Whenever fishermen/women visit the San Luis Valley, Colorado, they know that Alamosa has some great fishing locations in the vicinity. There are more than 1,400 streams, rivers, reservoirs, and lakes, including the Rio Grande.
Anglers are especially giddy to try out the fishing in the area for rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and the Rio Grande cutthroat. If you’ve been looking to try your hand at catching any of these, you’re in luck!
Don’t forget to fill out a fishing application and grab your license before you head out to the river. Visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife site to learn about all of the important information and regulations.
4) View the Magnificent Zapata Falls
Described as one of the best-hidden gems in Colorado, Zapata Falls is a secluded 25-foot waterfall. Snow melts from the San Juan Mountains in Colorado and flows through the landscape, becoming the Rio Grande and pouring over the side of the rocky crevasse that creates Zapata Falls.
People from all around the state, as well as other states, travel to the Alamosa area to hike the trail to the hidden waterfalls. The hiking trail is a short half-mile from the visitor parking lot, but be prepared to wade in the chilly waters of the creek to get a full view of the falls.
If you’re looking for accommodations at a Zapata Falls campground, most people would probably recommend staying near the town of Alamosa. There, you’ll have access to stores and restaurants if necessary, but you’ll still be conveniently located to the Zapata Falls recreational area.
5) Meet Some Toothy Friends at the Colorado Gators Reptile Park
Supposing you ever take the time to visit our Cool Sunshine RV resort near Alamosa, you must head to the Colorado Gators Reptile Park. For $20/person (or $10/child), you can check out this educational facility to learn about the history of gators in the area, as well as how we can better protect them through recycled resources.
Gators aren’t the only animals kept on the property. You can also learn about tortoises, fish, snakes, iguanas, and more. The park specializes in taking in unwanted exotic pets, so you never know what kind of cool reptiles you’ll come across while visiting!
If you’re really feeling brave, there’s even an alligator wrestling class or a reptile handling class. These both provide hands-on experiences for the nature lover that likes to get up-and-personal with the local wildlife.
These classes cost $100+ per visitor, but they provide some once in a lifetime experiences. Make sure to schedule any wildlife interactions far in advance to make sure that they don’t sell out ahead of time.
In Conclusion
Probably one of the top reasons you love RV parks and campgrounds is because they combine the comfort of home with the adventure of nature, and we want to make that easy for you.
Here at Cool Sunshine RV Park, we encourage all of our guests to get out and truly explore the surrounding areas. There are so many opportunities to engage with nature, from sports like fishing and sandboarding to more peaceful experiences like photographing wildlife in the refuge park.
If you have any further questions about Alamosa, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team!