Every visit to the Sand Dunes National Park is a surreal experience and Pinon Flats Campground is the closest place to stay. The heaps of sand are a stark contrast to the steep mountain range and this is only more dramatic in the spring when the mountains are still snowy. The snowmelt river only adds to the springtime fun.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
At A Glance: Pinon Flats Campground
Vibe: Great for families and active groups.
Elevation: 8,200 feet
Location: Within the boundaries of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, about 45 minutes from Alamosa, Colorado
Reservations: Available at Recreation.gov on a 3-month rolling calendar
Cost: $20+/night + America the Beautiful National Parks Pass (or Day Pass)
Season: April 1st – October 30th
Vehicle Accessibility: Paved roads, no high-clearance needed *in* the campground (some roads in the area require high-clearance)
Maximum Vehicle Length: 35 feet (trailer + vehicle) for largest sites, many sites are smaller
Water Access: Water spigot (potable) and dish washing sink available
Restroom Type: Flush toilets with running water/hand soap
Campfire Regulations: Campfires allowed in rings only, use water to extinguish fires (check for current fire restrictions in Saguache and Alamosa counties)
Wildlife Considerations: Bear boxes available, food storage requirements are strictly enforced
Pinon Flats Campground Review: Camping in Great Sand Dunes National Park
The Sand Dunes National Park is in the middle of (sort of) nowhere and the Pinon Flats Campground is fantastic.
We camped in the “inner loop” without views of the dune and with a tent we are glad we had the protection of trees. The best views are in sites 020-040 (a few of those sites don’t have views but most do). The inner sites have more tree coverage for both shade and protection from the wind. We were very thankful to have an inner site when the second night got very windy.
The camp shop had a range of items (helpful if it’s too windy for campfires and you’re menu is planned around a campfire!) and the toilets are flush with sinks and soap!
The short hike down to the Sand Dunes was a great perk when camping with kids — no driving needed and when the river is running its hours of shenanigans.
Would We Return? Yes — in the spring…because the Sand Dunes in the heat of summer or without the water doesn’t appeal to us.
Our Experience: This was our second tent camping trip of the year and I am very glad it wasn’t our first. Nothing went wrong but the Sand Dunes are not close to anything (closest town is Alamosa, about 45 minutes away) so if things when awry we were pretty committed to the chaos.
Luckily we had fantastic weather, lots of food, and friends to hang with. We met up with a group of friends with similarly aged children and spent our time splashing in the Medano River, climbing around the sand dunes, biking around the campground and popping into the visitor center.
The Pinon Flats campground offers some phenomenal campsites with stunning views of the dunes. I will confess, we did not have one of those sites. We had an inner site with easy access to the flush(!) toilets. I was a bit envious of the campsites with views…until the wind picked up on Saturday night. Our tent was safely sheltered keeping us snug and comfortable while we listened to the wind rage through the treetops. I can’t imagine our tall Big Agnes tent fairing well at a more exposed campsite.
This camping trip was very focused on hanging out with friends. Our exploration was low-key and the kids had a blast playing together while the adults got to have actual conversations. It was a nice reprieve to be away from the responsibilities of home and outdoors without the pressure to do big hikes or aggressive exploring. Plus, the Pinon Flats campground is amazing!
You’re close to your neighbors but it doesn’t feel that way thanks to ravines and trees. The bathrooms are pristine and offer running water, flush toilets, and soap for your hands. The visitors center was a fun stop for the kids and they were able to do Junior Ranger booklets. Overall, this campground is worth planning ahead for…because it is remote but also because it is a fantastic weekend away.
Meals We Cooked: Chicken Salad Wraps, Campfire Cheeseburgers, Oatmeal/Yogurt Bowls, DIY Lunchables
Gear We Used: Big Agnes Big House 6 (+ Vestibule), Nemo Roamer Sleeping Pads, Folding Camp Seat, Kid-Sized Camp Chair, 4ft Folding Table, Collapsible Camp Chair
Places We Visited: Medano Creek, Sand Dunes Nat’l Park Visitor Center
