San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area

Formerly, San Luis State Park, San Luis State Wildlife Area offers exceptional views of San Luis Lake, the Sand Dunes, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. If camping around the area, San Luis offers modern campgrounds, which are generally less crowded than at nearby Great Sand Dunes.

Located just around the corner from the Great Dunes, near Alamosa, San Luis State Park is a visual gem. The main attraction is camping and motorboating at the lake, which has attracted visitors since the 1920s. Nearby, the Zapata Falls has a primitive campground, which is about a 1/2 mile hike to a waterfall.

Activities at San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area

San Luis State Park Campground — Campsites are nice and scenic, with lots of jackrabbits around.

Biking: There are four miles of wide, gravel trails.

Boating: Motorboating, personal watercraft, sailing, water skiing, and windsurfing are popular when the 890 surface-acre lake is at normal water levels. The lake is open to hand-launched boats.

Camping: There are 51 walk-in sites with electrical hookups, sheltered tables, fire grills, nearby water hydrants, and a dump station.

Fishing: Open year-round for trout fishing, water levels permitting as it sometimes dries out.

Hiking: Share with bike trails or try nearby Zapata Falls for a short hike, or hike up the Sand Dunes for an exhausting morning or afternoon. Take in views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains along the way.

Hunting: Big game, waterfowl, and small game is permitted during established seasons in the wildlife area north of San Luis Lake. The wildlife area is closed annually from Feb 15 until July 15.

Swimming: Not permitted in the lake.

Water Skiing: Permitted if water conditions exist.