The Spanish Peaks region of southern Colorado holds numerous gems to discover. Between the towns of Walsenburg, La Veta and Trinidad, reside a myriad of cool campgrounds and dispersed campsites to enjoy on your quest.
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains begin south after the Front Range Mountains end around Pueblo. The Sangres continue south past Walsenburg and Trinidad and into New Mexico. Much of the wilderness around lies within the San Isabel National Forest. Everything from lakes and rivers to ghost towns and backcountry roads await you in southern Colorado.
Camping nearby in either Walsenburg, La Veta or Trinidad make a great base from which to explore. All three towns are connected via the Highway of Legends, a national scenic byway. The region makes for a great Colorado camping road trip.
List of campgrounds by Trinidad, Walsenburg and La Veta, CO, in order or proximity:
Camping near Trinidad
Trinidad is a scenic and historic Colorado city of more than 8,000 residents nestled at 6,010′ near the New Mexican border. It’s both the most populous city and county seat of Las Animas County. Whatever amenity you may need, whether it’s a Walmart or fast food, you can find it here. There are a few RV campgrounds in town, but the real jewel is Trinidad Lake State Park.
Cawthon Park Hotel and RV Park
If you’re not a fan of highway noise, Cawthon Park Motel and RV Park might be the quiet refuge you are seeking. Although this spot is a bit older and offers few frills, it’s a good place to stop for a quiet night on your way through the area.
- Closest Town: Trinidad (1mi)
- Specs: 41 30/50 amp pull-thru RV and trailer sites, motel and cabins available
- Amenities: Bath house, laundry, WiFi
- Reservations: Yes. call 719-846-3303
- Address: 1701 Santa Fe Trail, Trinidad, CO 81082 (Map)
- Directions: From Trinidad, take W Main Street southwest until you reach Santa Fe Trail, then take a left. Continue down this road for almost one mile, then the RV park will be on the right.
Tower 64 Motel and RV Park
Tower 64 is one of the smaller RV parks in the Trinidad area, but its convenient location and full hookup sites are great for a night’s stay while passing through. If you would rather have a solid bed to sleep on, the motel also offers comfortable rooms to get a few hours of shut-eye.
- Closest Town: Trinidad (3mi)
- Specs: 14 pull-thru and 7 back-in 30/50amp RV and trailer sites
- Amenities: Showers, laundry, WiFi
- Reservations: Yes, at Tower64.com
- Address: 10301 Santa Fe Trail, Trinidad, CO 81082 (Map)
- Directions: From Trinidad, W Main Street towards Santa Fe Trail, then make a left. Continue on Santa Fe Trail for two miles, then the RV park will be on your right.
Summit RV Park
Most RV parks near Trinidad are older and cannot accommodate the big rigs that many drive across the country today. Summit RV Park may be a simple site, but it is plenty large enough to fit your larger RVs and trailers for a night’s stay.
- Closest Town: Trinidad (4mi)
- Specs: 37 pull-thru 30amp and lower RV and trailer sites, good for larger vehicles and trailers
- Amenities: Bathrooms, showers, dump station, mountain views
- Reservations: Yes, call (719) 846-2251
- Address: 9800 Santa Fe Trail, Trinidad, CO 81082 (Map)
- Directions: From Trinidad, take I-25 S and exit at exit 11, Santa Fe Trail. Turn left onto Santa Fe Trail, then make a right to continue onto Santa Fe Trail.
Trinidad Lake State Park
Want to get a bit closer to nature during your stay in Trinidad? Trinidad Lake State Park offers two developed campgrounds that allow easy access to the recreational amenities that the area has to offer. It features more than 70 campsites nestled around the lake, as well as miles and miles of hiking and biking trails.
Carpios Ridge Campground
Capios Ridge is the largest campground in Trinidad Lake State Park, with over 50 sites featuring full hookups for a more luxurious experience. Be sure to book your site in advance to ensure that you will have a spot that suit your tastes.
- Closest Town: Trinidad (5mi)
- Specs: 63 pull-thru and back-in campsites, electric hookups at all sites and full hookups available
- Amenities: Bathrooms w/ flush toilets, coin-operated showers and laundry, dump station, water faucet
- Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
- Address: Trinidad Lake State Park Rd, Trinidad, CO 81082 (Map)
- Directions: From Trinidad, take Co-12 W for about 4 miles, then take a left to enter Trinidad Lake State Park. Keep going down this road until you reach the campground–it will be on your right.
South Shore Campground
If you’re looking to stay as close to the water as possible, the South Shore Campground is a smaller option that’s nearer to the shores of Trinidad Lake for water recreation and hiking activities. While this campground may not have as many amenities as Carpios Ridge, the views cannot be beat.
- Closest Town: Trinidad (6mi)
- Specs: 10 non-electric RV and tent camping sites near the lake
- Amenities: Vault toilets, lake access from campsites for fishing and water activities, hiking, wildlife viewing
- Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
- Address: County Rd 18.3, Trinidad, CO 81082 (Map)
- Directions: From Trinidad, take I-25 S for about two miles, then take Exit 11 for Santa Fe Trail and turn right onto County Rd 69.1, then make a left to continue down this road for about a half-mile. Turn right onto County Rd 69, then turn right onto County Rd 18.3. Continue along this road for about a mile, then the campground will be on your right.
Gears RV Park
North of Trinidad you will find a unique RV park, located just a few miles down the road from the town of Aguilar. Gears RV Park not only features a few small RV sites, but it also boasts an onsite BBQ restaurant and a convenient auto repair shop.
- Closest Town: Aguilar (3mi), Trinidad (17mi)
- Specs: 22 small pull-thru full hookup RV sites
- Amenities: Convenience store, onsite BBQ restaurant and auto repair shop, family-friendly, located just off the highway
- Reservations: Yes, call (719) 680-0861
- Address: 27201 County Rd 63.1, Aguilar, CO 81020 (Map)
- Directions: From Trinidad, take I-25 N for about sixteen miles, then take Exit 30 for Aguilar Rd. Continue left onto County Rd 63.1, and the RV park will be on your right.
Camping near Walsenburg
A gateway to the Spanish Peaks County, Walsenburg welcomes you! This Huerfano county town of 3,000+ people has a nice historic district and enough shops and restaurants to get by. The local Lathrop State Park sits only a few miles west of town and provides a couple of big lakes and campgrounds to accommodate. It’s open year round.
Lathrop State Park
Walsenburg is a small town without many RV parks and campgrounds to speak of, but those looking for a stay in a natural setting while in the Spanish Peaks area should take a look at Lathrop State Park, located just off of US-160.
Yucca Campground
Yucca Campground will be found just near the entrance of Lathrop State Park, and while this campground doesn’t come with many frills, the views make up for the lack of amenities. Tent campers and smaller RVs will enjoy easy-access to these sites close to the highway.
- Closest Town: Walsenburg (3mi), La Veta (13mi)
- Specs: 21 back-in primitive campsites
- Amenities: Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, water hydrants
- Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
- Address: County Rd 502, Walsenburg, CO 81089 (Map)
- Directions: From Walsenburg, take US-160 W for about three miles. Turn right to enter Lathrop State Park, then continue along County Rd 502 to reach the campground.
Pinon Campground
Large RVs and big rigs will more easily fit in the larger campground, which features 50+ sites with full hookups to make your stay more comfortable while in the park. This campground also includes access to a centrally-located playground for the kids as well as the Pinon amphitheater where summer events are often hosted.
- Closest Town: Walsenburg (5mi), La Veta (14mi)
- Specs: 82 pull-thru and back-in campsites, many w/ 50amp hookups
- Amenities: Flush toilets, coin showers, water hydrants, dump station, playground, easy access to Pinon amphitheater
- Reservations: Yes, at CPWShop.com
- Address: Co Rd 502, Walsenburg, CO 81089 (Map)
- Directions: From Walsenburg, take US 160 W for about three miles, then turn right to enter Lathrop State Park. Continue down County Rd 502, keeping right to stay on this road for about a mile, and then make a right to enter the campground.
Camping near La Veta
About 800 people call the quaint town of La Veta home. Nestled at 7,037′ nearby the Spanish Peaks, La Veta is neat town with a lot to offer adventurers. There’s an interesting downtown area with unique shops and restaurants. Everything from in-town RV parks to private campgrounds and national forest dispersed camping is available relatively close to La Veta.
Circle of Wagons RV Park
La Veta, Colorado is a hidden gem that is often called the gateway to the Spanish Peaks, and Circle of Wagons RV Park puts you right at the center of this small town. With a bath house and sites located along the river, this RV park is one of the most scenic around, and is especially gorgeous during the early fall.
- Closest Town: La Veta (>1mi), Walsenburg (13mi)
- Specs: 43 full hookup RV sites and a variety of electric sites, tent camping, cabins, and camper rentals onsite
- Amenities: Bath house, laundry room, WiFi, river walk, fire pits, outdoor kitchen
- Reservations: Yes, call 719-742-3233
- Address: 126 W 2nd St, La Veta, CO 81055
- Directions: In La Veta, take Main Street north until your reach W 2nd St, then make a left. Circle of Wagons will be on your right.
Sammie’s Motel and RV Park
If you’re only staying in La Veta for one night, Sammie’s Motel and RV Park offers a low-budget located to park your rig for an evening and enjoy the sights of this small town. If you’d rather spend the night in a larger bed, reserve a motel room to make your stay a bit more comfortable.
- Closest Town: La Veta (>1mi), Walsenburg (16mi)
- Specs: 20 back-in and pull-thru full hookup RV sites as well as motel rooms
- Amenities: Bath house, picnic areas, walking distance to town of La Veta
- Reservations: Yes, call 719-742-5435
- Address: 124 N Main St, La Veta, CO 81055 (Map)
- Directions: From La Veta, take Main Street towards the north end of town, and Sammie’s will be on your right.
La Veta Pines RV Park
Another option for those in RVs and campers is the La Veta Pines RV Park, located within walking distance to the rest of the town. With free WiFi and basic amenities, this is a great stop for a few days to spend exploring the Spanish Peaks on a budget.
- Closest Town: La Veta (>1 mi), Walsenburg (16mi)
- Specs: 27 30amp full hookup pull-thru and back-in RV sites
- Amenities: Bathrooms, showers, free WiFi, walking distance to the town of La Veta
- Reservations: Yes, at PremierCampground.com
- Address: 226 W Grand Ave, La Veta, CO 81055 (Map)
- Directions: From La Veta, take Main Street south and make a left onto W Grand Avenue. After about a block, the park will be on your right.
Bear Lake Campground
If primitive camping is more your style, check out Bear Lake Campground, located just 9 miles from the town of Cuchara. With easy access to Bear Lake for fishing as well as unbeatable views, this campground fills up quickly during the warm summer months.
- Closest Town: Cuchara (9mi), La Veta (20mi)
- Specs: 14 primitive campsites
- Amenities: Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, water from pump, access to Bear Lake for fishing, close to hiking trails
- Reservations: Yes, some sites are reservation-only at Recreation.gov
- Address: Co Rd 422, La Veta, CO 81055 (Map)
- Directions: From La Veta, take CO-12 E for about fifteen miles. Turn right onto County Rd 422 and continue for another five miles, then turn right to keep on this road. The campground will then be on your left.
Cordova Pass Picnic Area and Campground
There’s nothing like the simplicity of pitching a tent in the Colorado mountains, and Cordova Pass Campground ensures you won’t have to deal with any pesky RV noise during your stay at this site. A picnic area and easy access to hiking trails are the main draws of this gorgeous campground.
- Closest Town: Cuchara (12mi), La Veta (23mi)
- Specs: Tent camping only campground
- Amenities: Picnic area, access to hiking trails and fishing on streams and lakes
- Reservations: No, first come, first served
- Address: 364 County Rd 56.8, Aguilar, CO 81020 (Map)
- Directions: From La Veta, take CO-12 E for about seventeen miles, then turn left onto County Rd 364/Forest Rd 415. Follow this for about 6 miles and then continue onto County Rd 46–the campground will then be on your right.
Purgatoire Campground
The headwaters of the Purgatoire River meet at Purgatoire Campground, located deep in the mountains of southern Colorado. This campground features developed sites that are great for small RVs and trailers as well as tent campers.
- Closest Town: Cuchara (18mi), La Veta (30mi)
- Specs: 21 developed campsites on the headwaters of the Purgatoire River
- Amenities: 3 vault toilets, level campsites, fishing in Purgatoire River, hiking, wildlife viewing
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: CO-12, Weston, CO 81091 (Map)
- Directions: From La Veta, take CO-12 E for about twenty-six miles, then make a right. Follow this road for about a mile, then take another right. After about four miles, the campground will be on your right.
Consider Westcliffe or Pueblo
An hour to the northwest of Walsenburg rests Westcliffe. It’s become known as one of Colorado’s premiere dark sky communities. That means you can see the stars better at night due to less light pollution. The town of Westcliffe is quite charming and welcomes visitors throughout the year, especially in the summer and early fall. There are a lot of places to camp around Westcliffe.
Forty-five minutes north of Walsenburg is Pueblo, one of Colorado’s larger cities. Formerly known as Steel City, Pueblo puts you closer to Denver if coming from there, and still provides a great day trip through Spanish Peaks country. There are some nice waterside campgrounds at Lake Pueblo to base from.
That’s a roundup of the top places to camp between Walsenburg, La Veta and Trinidad, CO. Enjoy your time to Spanish Peaks Country!
Majestic Birds of Colorado
