Pinon Flats Campground
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.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · group sites in Colorado · dark sky in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| RV, no hookups | 52 |
| Tent-only | 34 |
| Group tent areas | 3 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
89 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Group Loop | Group tent | Paved | Partial | 40 / 9 | Yes | Standard | |||
| B | Group Loop | Group tent | Paved | Partial | 40 / 9 | Yes | Standard | |||
| C | Group Loop | Group tent | Paved | 30 / 7 | Yes | Standard | ||||
| 002 | Loop 1 | RV | Back-in | 22 | Paved | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 003 | Loop 1 | Tent only | 20 | Paved | None | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 004 | Loop 1 | RV | Pull-through | 18 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 005 | Loop 1 | Tent only | 18 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 006 | Loop 1 | Tent only | 15 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 007 | Loop 1 | Tent only | 18 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standar | |||
| 009 | Loop 1 | Tent only | 15 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | The entrance fee for Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is $25 for 1-7 days. This fee is not included in the camping fee. Interagency passes are accepted at the entrance station. If you do not have an interagency pass, you may purchase pass in advance or pay upon arrival. |
| Dark sky | Inside Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
| Accessibility | Sites C, 010, 014, 051 and 1 more are listed accessible |
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. 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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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 (58 km).
| Nearest town | Mosca, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37.7447° N, 105.5066° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
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. 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
Fire nearby
- WildfireAspen Acres
30 mi from the campground · 102,007 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Kristi's Mountain Sports ↗ | 28.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 58 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Pinon Flats Campground Tour - INSIDE Great Sand Dunes National Park
Worth a stop
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.
- 0.8 miGreat Sand Dunes Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
- 1.5 miEntrance Station ↗Visitor center
- 9.1 miZapata Falls Day Use Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.7 miMosca Pass Trailhead - Trail # 883 ↗Rio Grande National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Great Sand Dunes Wilderness.
- inGreat Sand Dunes Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 32,643 acres
- 10.8 miSangre de Cristo Wilderness ↗Wilderness · FS/NPS · 219,891 acres
- 11.8 miBaca National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 85,815 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Superintendent's Residence, Great Sand Dunes National MonumentBuilding · Mosca · 1.5 mi
- Zapata Ranch HeadquartersBuilding · Mosca · 7.9 mi
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.
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.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Pinon Flats Campground?
Sites at Pinon Flats Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Pinon Flats Campground?
The entrance fee for Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is $25 for 1-7 days. This fee is not included in the camping fee. Interagency passes are accepted at the entrance station.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Pinon Flats Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Pinon Flats Campground have?
90 sites, including 52 RV sites without hookups, 34 tent-only sites, and 3 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Pinon Flats Campground?
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Pinon Flats Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Pinon Flats Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Pinon Flats Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Pinon Flats Campground?
Sites C, 010, 014, and 051 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 5 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Pinon Flats Campground good for stargazing?
Yes. Pinon Flats Campground sits inside Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Pinon Flats Campground?
Great Sand Dunes' wide range of natural features provides endless outdoor recreational activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Pinon Flats Campground?
Mosca, Colorado. Zapata Falls is just south of the national park off Highway 150.
Source: Getting there
What if Pinon Flats Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites (4.1 mi, first-come), Zapata Falls Campground (9.4 mi), and North Crestone Creek Campground (21.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby