Pinon Flats Campground

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Pinon Flats Campground is located in Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in southern Colorado. The huge dunes are the tallest in North America and comprise about 11 percent of an enormous sand deposit that covers more than 330 square miles.

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.

Reservations are required to stay in Pinon Flats campground. The campground offers 86 campsites. The park recommends making a reservation in advance, especially for peak summer weekends and holidays. 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.

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.

Need to Know

• 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 may not be another site available.

• There is no waiting list for campsites and staff cannot hold available sites at the campground. 

• Only 8 people per site. There must be at least one adult (18+) staying in each site.

• Maximum of 2 vehicles per site.

• No showers, hookups or laundry facilities available in the park.

• Nothing can be attached to any trees or vegetation, to include hammocks, ropes, etc.

• Firewood gathering is prohibited; wood may be purchased at the camp store.

• Utilize bear boxes at all times and keep campsite clean. Picnic tables cannot be moved from one site to another.

• Firearms and fireworks are prohibited.

• Tents are allowed on RV sites ONLY if all tent options have been reserved. Please check the tent sites first before you book a RV site.
• RVs over 35 ft may not be able to negotiate the campground without damaging RV or vehicle.
• An entrance pass is required while in the park and is not included in the camping fee.
• Pets are allowed. They must be kept on a leash and under physical control at all times. Pets may not be left unattended.

• Group sites are tent-only; no RVs or trailers allowed.

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.

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.

Contact Information

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11500 Highway 150 Mosca CO 81146

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 1-877-444-6777

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From 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. Turn east onto Lane 6 and follow for 16 miles to Highway 150. Turn north onto Highway 150 and follow for 2.6 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.

Available Campsites

• Site 042, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 066, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 055, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 053, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 084, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 070, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 068, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 041, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 077, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 060, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 071, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 083, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 080, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 065, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 081, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 061, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 062, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site B, Loop Group Loop, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 075, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 082, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 063, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 048, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 064, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 074, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 050, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 052, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 088, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 056, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 087, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 085, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 076, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 072, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 073, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 067, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 051, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 059, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 078, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 054, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site C, Loop Group Loop, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site A, Loop Group Loop, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 079, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 040, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 069, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 057, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 086, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 058, Loop Loop 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop Loop 2, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop Loop 1, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop Loop 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric

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