Where to stay near Sand Dunes National Park

There are plenty of options for spending the night among the region’s wide open spaces

By Jay McKinney 

In a state with bountiful beauty, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is an otherworldly region that Colorado is fortunate to offer. Located in southern Colorado’s vast San Luis Valley, the breathtaking Sangre de Cristo mountains serve as the backdrop for the massive swath of sand-covered land that could have easily been used as the set for the “Dune” movies. Out of the four national parks in the state, it is arguably the most unusual and fascinating to explore, especially in springtime.

Instead of fighting through hordes of people crowding popular trails in Rocky Mountain National Park or stepping back in time with a visit to Mesa Verde National Park, those who visit the dunes have freedom to explore how they wish. Visitors can meander up the tallest dunes in North America, sled down them, cool off in Medano Creek (in spring) and picnic on the cushy sand. When the sun sets, it’s time to marvel at the star-speckled sky in this designated International Dark Sky Park. Securing a reservation in the park is difficult, so here are some places to consider staying during a trip to the dunes. Winter accommodations are sometimes limited; check with your location of choice for availability.

Ramble Campground

The Ramble Campground is a desirable destination for those who want to camp with access to some additional amenities. It is available for tenters, van-lifers and off-grid trailers and RVs with different sized campsites that can accommodate 1-20 people and their furry friends. Each site has up to 1 acre of designated space and there is a community bathhouse that includes hot showers, flushing toilets and a QR code kiosk with necessities and treats for sale. The campground also has access to hiking and biking trails and a disc golf course. For the culinary enthusiasts who struggle preparing meals over a fire, each campsite has a dual-burner gas stove and a grill. The upgraded campsites also include a sink and counter space to make cleanup easier. 

The grain bin villas are an unusual lodging option at Rustic Rook Resort. | Photo courtesy of Rustic Rook Resort

Rustic Rook Resort 

With a variety of glamping options available at Rustic Rook Resort, the grain bin villas are especially fun. There are five of them that were purchased from a farm auction in 2022 and brought to the property to be converted into lodging spaces. Rustic Rook currently has two available for booking with the other three in different stages of construction. The uninviting corrugated steel exterior is contrasted by the wood paneled interior that is comforting and charming. Each villa has a loft bedroom with a king-size bed, a pullout couch and windows looking out on the dunes in the distance. First floor amenities include a kitchen, dining area, and bathroom, while the patio outside offers a picnic table and charcoal grill. The founders of Rustic Rook are thrilled to up-cycle these grain bins and create memorable lodging destinations for those visiting the San Luis Valley. 

Great Sand Dunes Lodge

Located at the national park’s only vehicle entrance, the Great Sand Dunes Lodge has varying rooms and amenities, as well as campers and geodesic domes available for guests. Due to its proximity to the dunes and breathtaking views, photographers, bikers and hikers regularly stay at the lodge when visiting the park. Another attraction located nearby is Zapata Falls. During the summer months, hikers can cool off in the shaded,  rocky crevice where the water falls more than 25 feet and sprays mist into the warm high-altitude desert air. In the wintertime, hikers will visit the falls to get a glimpse of the unusual frozen formations. 

Kosmos Stargazing Resort lets visitors focus on the dark and starry night sky. | Photo courtesy of Kosmos Stargazing Resort

Kosmos Stargazing Resort

The light pollution of metropolitan areas can make star-lit skyscapes invisible. But in the vast San Luis Valley where people are sparse, the stars are not. Those who want to treat themselves to a luxurious, stargazing retreat should consider booking a night (or two) at the Kosmos Stargazing Villa. When Chilean software developer Gamal Jadue Zalaquett visited the region in 2020, he was surprised that this International Dark Sky Park that sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, had such limited lodging options. He was inspired to create the Kosmos Resort and five years later, the first of 20 Kosmos villas opened in April of 2025 with three more expected to open soon.

The Stargazing Villa is 1,200 square feet with a maximum capacity of four people. It features a modern design with an abundance of windows that makes stargazing great inside or outside. Another design, the Galaxy Villa, will have a maximum capacity of eight and comes with two master bedrooms, a jacuzzi, sauna and ice tub. 

Those in search of a weekend of wellness and majestic night sky views should get on the waiting list. Kosmos Resort plans to have its 20 villas completed this winter, with other offerings such as a spa, gym, tennis courts and a restaurant planned by the end of 2026. By the end of 2027, Kosmos plans include an observatory and educational center, making it a premier stargazing destination. 

Sand Dunes Recreation

Whether camping in a tent, looking for a place to park an RV or interested in booking a night in a cabin, Sand Dunes Recreation can accommodate all of the above. The recreation and lodging area is centered around a 50-foot by 100-foot pool that is geothermally heated and maintained at 98 degrees fahrenheit year-round. There is also a smaller therapy pool that can accommodate up to 25 people and stays between 105-107 degrees. Located on-site is the Mile Deep Grille with an assortment of tasty dishes. There is also a 21-plus area available in the Greenhouse. The 10,000-square-foot Greenhouse offers guests a small bites menu, beer and wine, four soaking pools, and a sauna all set among tropical plants that create a relaxing environment.

This story is from our winter 2025-2026 issue. Read the entire issue online here, and find our full magazine archive here.