Originally a national monument, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve was established in its current state in 2004. Today, the park encompasses some 44,000-plus acres, 19,000 of which are covered by the dunefield, and the adjacent preserve protects nearly 42,000 more. True to its name, Great Sand Dunes is…
With a watershed of more than 180,000 square miles, the Rio Grande is one of the most vital rivers in the American West. Its headwaters are in the alpine terrain above history-rich Creede, Colorado, and it flows nearly 1,900 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. Of all those miles, though,…
It takes just under four hours to make the drive from Colorado’s Front Range to Alamosa, but this hot spot in the San Luis Valley feels way farther from city life than that. Between the wide-open views of the valley, the craggy Sangre de Cristos, the mighty Rio Grande…
Sandboarding and Sledding For years, visitors have been sledding down the Great Sand Dunes in plastic toboggans, rounded saucers, and even cardboard. As most visitors soon found out, the saucers and cardboard do not work very well whatsoever. Adventuresome and creative people soon developed boards specifically made for sand, featuring extra…
The Importance of Tourism Travel & tourism is a $1.3 trillion industry in the U.S. generating $100 billion in tax revenue Colorado welcomed a record 55.1 million visitors in 2010, a 6.1% increase over 2009 and the highest total number ever reported. Great Sand Dunes National Park welcomed…
Day One Head for the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve! The best part of this giant sand box is the beach! Every year, snow runoff creates a warm, clear creek across the sand. It’s better than the beach because it’s so clean and runs from the base of…
Did you know that the Navajo consider Blanca Peak to be one of four sacred mountains that comprise the borders of their native lands? Or that many southwestern tribes consider the San Luis Valley to be the birthplace of their people, a spiritual place they’ve termed “Sipapu?” Did you know…
Grab your binoculars and head out for a day of bird watching. But first, don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch. There are great lunch options around Alamosa; both City Market and Safeway feature delicatessens, and plenty of other lunchtime favorites! Blanca Vista Park Just north of downtown Alamosa, bird…
For the diehard fisherman or woman, the San Luis Valley is the place to be, especially in the wintertime! Begin your fishing expedition in Alamosa with a cozy night’s stay at one of our lodging properties, and fill up on a hearty meal. Before turning in for the night, stock…
Load up your sleds, jump on 1-25 and head south to Hwy 160, taking you into the San Luis Valley and some of the best undiscovered areas for amazing snowmobiling. Stay the night at one of our lodging properties, and get a good night’s rest. After a hearty breakfast, head…