Alamosa Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Great Sand Dunes National Park featuring desert views and a sunset as well as a couple
Alamosa
Alamosa featuring signage
Del Norte showing signage
Great Sand Dunes National Park showing landscape views and desert views as well as a couple

Located just outside the natural beauty of Great Sand Dunes National Park, this small city makes a great base to explore Colorado’s San Luis Valley. 

Alamosa is the commercial and tourism hub of Colorado’s San Luis Valley, nestled between mountains and deserts. Experience some of the state’s most beautiful wilderness from this bustling city.

Alamosa is Spanish for “of cottonwood.” Admire these beautiful trees throughout the town and lining the shores of the Rio Grande River that snakes through the region.

In the 1870s, the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad brought commerce and a huge population increase to the area. The San Luis Valley History Museum presents the valley’s past, from its original Native American inhabitants and European settlement up until the late 19th century.

Alamosa is home to Adams State University, a small liberal arts college with about 3,500 students. Explore regional art and artifacts at the Luther Bean Museum, located in Richardson Hall on the university’s campus. See Native American pottery, weavings and other pieces of art.

Stop downtown at Firedworks Gallery, a local institution. Whether you are there to shop or just to browse, this contemporary art gallery has a wide variety of pieces on display and is well worth a visit.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is the San Luis Valley’s biggest attraction. Located just 34 miles (54.7 kilometers) outside Alamosa, this park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. Go hiking, beach sledding and camping.

See the region’s wildlife at Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge. This protected area largely consists of wetlands. Take the short hiking trail to look for birds, deer, coyotes and beavers.

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a popular bird sanctuary a 25-minute drive from downtown Alamosa. Trails and roads wind through the park. Each spring, visitors flock to the refuge to see scores of migrating sandhill cranes that stop here in their annual trip north.

As primarily desert region, the San Luis Valley gets little precipitation. Temperatures are rarely uncomfortably hot during the summer and it can get very cold a night. Rent a car to get around Alamosa and its surrounds with ease.

Best Western Alamosa Inn

Best Western Alamosa Inn

2.5 out of 5
2005 Main Street, Alamosa, CO
The price is AU$171 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$171
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Alamosa. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Good hotel"

Reviewed on 3 Aug. 2025

Best Western Alamosa Inn
Dunes Inn

Dunes Inn

2.5 out of 5
425 Main St, Alamosa, CO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$156 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$156
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Alamosa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"Thanks for good breakfast, parking & great customer service"

Reviewed on 7 Aug. 2025

Dunes Inn
Quality Inn Alamosa

Quality Inn Alamosa

2.5 out of 5
333 Santa Fe Avenue, Alamosa, CO
The price is AU$144 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
AU$144
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Alamosa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7/10 Good! (365 reviews)
"We had a decent stay overall. The staff was friendly and very helpful throughout our visit. No hot breakfast other than waffle maker. The property itself felt a little dated and could use some updates. Unfortunately, the kiddie pool, slide, and hot tub were out of order during our stay, which was ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

Quality Inn Alamosa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Downtown Alamosa 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home

Downtown Alamosa 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home

Alamosa
Stay at this vacation home in Alamosa. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions San Luis Valley Museum and Little ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (69 reviews)
"Great stay. Well appointed and the parking was awesome. Having the garage available was something we never get in vacation rentals. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Downtown Alamosa 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home
Cozy, peaceful home in quiet neighborhood. Permit #03015

Cozy, peaceful home in quiet neighborhood. Permit #03015

Alamosa
Stay at this vacation home in Alamosa. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Little Medano Creek and Pinyon Flats ...
10/10 Exceptional! (11 reviews)
Quick work trip
"Nice area, clean, quiet"

Reviewed on 3 Jun. 2025

Cozy, peaceful home in quiet neighborhood. Permit #03015
Rustic Rook Resort Great Sand Dunes

Rustic Rook Resort Great Sand Dunes

2 out of 5
13254 Lane 5 N, Mosca, CO
Stay at this campground in Mosca. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and a picnic area. Popular attractions San Luis State Wildlife Area and Colorado ...
9/10 Wonderful! (139 reviews)
Rustic Rook- great choice
"This was a wonderful trip with the family. The tent was such a fun experience. Good to get away from technology but was still able to access it if needed in the lobby. Breakfast burritos and s’mores ever night were something to look forward to. Close to the falls and sand dunes. Having bathrooms ..."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Rustic Rook Resort Great Sand Dunes
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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