What do ancient camels, elk and 24,000 sandhill cranes have in common? In the San Luis Valley, each were or are dependent on the wetlands in Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge and the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge for survival. Here are six reasons why you should visit the refuges.

Here are the five best places to take a selfie in or near the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.  Looking for the most scenic spots in and near the Great Sand Dunes for your Instagram feed? Here are five places you’ll want to have on your list. 

Local Sculptor Huberto Maestas is nationally known for his larger-than-life sculptures. Visit his spectacular Stations of the Cross series dotting a hillside in the tiny town of San Luis, Colo. 

Shake the sand out of your shoes after a magical time at Great Sands Dunes National Park and hit the road to uncover the best Americana nearby.

If you’re planning to get away from the hustle and bustle of city living and want a quiet, nature escape, there’s no place better than the beautiful, affordable and uncrowded San Luis Valley.  Covering an approximate 8,000 square mile expanse, this alpine valley has endless opportunities for you to get away are find your “free”.  Discover the countless outdoor recreation options during the day under our expansive blue skies, and camp each night under a star-filled night sky (the Great Sand Dunes is now internationally recognized for the quality of its night sky). Don’t know where to begin?  Here’s some of our favorite places to camp in the San Luis Valley!

Colorado Farm Brewery in Alamosa, Colo., takes farm-to-tap to a new level as the only brewery in the world where every ingredient in its estate beers comes from the farm in which they brew.