san luis lakes state park

We stayed here the first time a few years ago when we got to the Great Sand Dunes and found the campground full. Back then, there was a lake, but it was very shallow and not really meant for boating or swimming. Still, that's not what we came for anyway, so we were pleasantly surprised by the campground accommodations. There are just enough bathrooms, they are clean, and the pad sites are nicely maintained and spread out just enough. Since then we've come back to stay three times. The most recent time I used the showers which were also clean and hot, and not very expensive, about a dollar in quarters will get you done, and there is a change machine. Because the lake is now dried up, the campground is pretty deserted. There are usually 2-3 RVs and 1-2 tents in each loop, mostly quiet people. The view is amazing, the stars at night are spectacular, the tables are partially covered which is nice in case you get a rainstorm. There are nighthawks overhead at night, giant rabbits and coyotes calling. Sometimes you can spot waterfowl in the irrigation canal, unfortunately nothing in the dry lake bed to look for.The downsides to this spot are the showers close after labor day, when there is still maybe 2-4 good weeks of camping left, occassional boughts of no-see-ums (bring the Off), and that the ranger is also gone after Labor Day, I think. Ranger is really friendly, will make sure you are in your spot and not someone who isn't supposed to be, and seems to really love the place. I'm a fan of having an active ranger.The other downside is to make a reservation online bumps the price of this place up a bit more than it is worth, but the price of online reservations in Colorado is the same wherever you reserve at, so not much you can do about it besides show up instead and hope to get a good spot.

We visited in a 27ft RV after trying to get into the Great Sand Dunes National Park campsite (it was full). It was a pleasant surprise, with approximately 80 sites, all with electricity and a covered picnic table. There were also pit toilets around the camp, plus a central ablution block with flush toilets, showers (need to pay for them) plus a laundry block. The roads in the camp are all sealed, but it's surrounded by semi-desert and a dry lake, so a fair amount of dust if the wind's blowing. However, the setting is picturesque with snow-capped mountains everywhere you look, plus the immense sand dunes about 10 miles away. The sites were level and generous in size, and there were very few other campers in contrast with the Great Sand Dunes National Park campsite which was packed. We liked it so much, we stayed two nights.

We stopped here because the RV sites had electric unlike Great Sands National Park. As far a state park it was disappointing. First there is no lake. It dried up and the lake site is just a dust bowl. Also there are no trees within ten miles. The park is no longer staffed. The restroom with showers is closed and locked, only pit toilets remaining. Considering that the lake is gone, the price of $34 ($7 for two vehicles and $20 camping) is a bit excessive. The best thing about the park is that it is near to The Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Camping in a large pop up trailer tent.We wanted to stay at Great Sand Dunes National Park but they were full. And in the end, we were glad! There are 3 loops in the Mosca Campground at San Luis Lake State Park. We rolled in at 8pm on a Friday night with no reservation and found the place only about 1/3 full. The A loop, with the lake views was the most crowded so we choose a spot on the C loop and shared the loop with exactly 2 other camps. This is desert camping. No trees, just brush, yucca and dirt. There are very nice C shaped shelters at each site, picnic table, fire pit and electric hookups. Each site is roomy, with some pull throughs and some back ins. The road from the highway into the park is gravel, the campground loops are paved and the site driveways are gravel. One central bath with showers (plug quarters into the machine, there is also a change machine). Very clean. The water is yellowish and there is a sign stating that it's because of minerals. Tasted fine and smelled like nothing, which is how you want water to smell... The wind blows here. A lot. There were dust devils that came through and filled our noses (and every other area) with sand. It was pretty hot, too, and our trailer has no a/c. Evenings and nights were plenty cool and it sprinkled several times. Very friendly and informative park staff. The office is open 2 hrs am and 2 hrs pm to ask questions, pay, buy ice and firewood. Ice was $3 for 6lb bag. $20/night for a site plus $7 per vehicle. This is a great jumping off place to explore Great Sand Dunes National Park, 15 minutes away.