Open 24/7 year round! There are no timed entries or reservations to visit. The
tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of
grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless
night to experience countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park!

Open 24/7 year round! There are no timed entries or reservations to visit.

The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Stay on a moonless night to experience countless stars in this International Dark Sky Park!

## Overview

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is in the San Luis Valley of
south-central Colorado at an elevation of 8,175 feet. The dunes lie on the
eastern edge of the valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Range. The
dunefield is part of the nearly 150,000 total acres of the park and preserve
that also protects alpine lakes, tundra, six peaks over 13,000 feet, ancient
spruce and pine forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and
wetlands. The park is part of a fragile, dynamic system that influences and
sustains the tallest dunes in North America.

President Herbert Hoover established the park unit as a national monument by
presidential proclamation on March 17, 1932 through the Antiquities Act. The
Works Progress Administration constructed the Superintendent’s Residence, now
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But otherwise, GRSA did
not see a great deal of development during the New Deal. Park development did
not occur in earnest until Mission 66.

During this period, the NPS was able to construct a Visitor Center, the Pinon
Flat Campground (88 sites), a picnic area, five comfort stations, six single
family residences and a triplex, while also building or improving roads and
trails through the park. The Visitor Center shows the motivation of the
Western Office of Design and Construction to configure designs to
corresponding regions using principles of “regional modernism.” Built in the
Pueblo Revival style, the Visitor Center mimics adobe construction through
modern materials and forms blended with traditional materials and forms seen
during the CCC-era in Cecil Doty’s work.

Following Mission 66, Congress designated nearly 91% of the monument as
wilderness in 1976, which certainly limited the park’s ability to further
develop visitor and administrative facilities. GRSA became a national park and
preserve in 2000, which also included a transfer of land from the Rio Grande
National Forest.  
  
The dunes have long stood as a landmark for travelers from ancient North
Americans to Southern Ute, Jicarilla Apaches, Navajos, early explorers, gold
miners, homesteaders, ranchers, farmers and migrant field workers, to you -
today's park visitor.

## Recreation

Great Sand Dunes' wide range of natural features provides endless outdoor
recreational activities. The park is perfect for kids, who love exploring the
dunefield on foot or by sled. Medano Creek, at the base of the dunes, is a
popular place in the summertime. Kids and adults alike love to splash in the
cool water.  
  
Many kid-friendly, ranger-led activities and a junior ranger program are
available.  
  
Many miles of hiking and backpacking trails lead through the park's forests
and alpine terrain, including the Mosca Pass Trail, Dunes Overlook/Sand Ramp
Trail and Indian Grove Trail.

## Facilities

Great Sand Dunes' wide range of natural features provides endless outdoor
recreational activities. The park is perfect for kids, who love exploring the
dunefield on foot or by sled. Medano Creek, at the base of the dunes, is a
popular place in the summertime. Kids and adults alike love to splash in the
cool water.  
  
Many kid-friendly, ranger-led activities and a junior ranger program are
available.  
  
Many miles of hiking and backpacking trails lead through the park's forests
and alpine terrain, including the Mosca Pass Trail, Dunes Overlook/Sand Ramp
Trail and Indian Grove Trail.

## Natural Features

Great Sand Dunes are the magnificent centerpiece of a natural system that
includes high mountain peaks, sparkling streams, vast grasslands and lush
forests.  
  
The campground is situated among pinon pines and sagebrush beneath the
majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Most sites have beautiful views of the
snow-covered peaks.  
  
A wide variety of grasses and wildflowers can be found throughout the area,
and mule deer are commonly seen in and around the campground.

## Nearby Attractions

Zapata Falls is just south of the national park off Highway 150. A short but
slippery 1/2-mile hike leads to a 25-foot high cascade. Simply driving to the
trailhead provides an excellent view of the entire dunefield and San Luis
Valley, especially at sunrise or sunset. San Luis State Wildlife Area is
located at the western edge of Great Sand Dunes National Park. It features a
large natural lake popular for boating, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing and
fishing.

## Charges & Cancellations

This is not a staffed facility.

Campground hosts may be available for assistance. Visitors are responsible for
knowing their site number and proceeding to the correct site after 2:00 PM.
Early check in is not available.

A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at the campground during their
reservation, and does not cancel their reservation. Because this is an
unstaffed location, the site will be held for the duration of the reservation
and the visitor will not receive a refund for time not spent in the site. Due
to the limited number of sites in Pinon Flats Campground, please cancel or
change your reservation if you can not use it, so other campers have an
opportunity to stay.

Rules and Reservation Policies

<h2>Overview</h2>
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is in the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado at an elevation of 8,175 feet. The dunes lie on the eastern edge of the valley at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Range. The dunefield is part of the nearly 150,000 total acres of the park and preserve that also protects alpine lakes, tundra, six peaks over 13,000 feet, ancient spruce and pine forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and wetlands. The park is part of a fragile, dynamic system that influences and sustains the tallest dunes in North America.

President Herbert Hoover established the park unit as a national monument by presidential proclamation on March 17, 1932 through the Antiquities Act. The Works Progress Administration constructed the Superintendent’s Residence, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But otherwise, GRSA did not see a great deal of development during the New Deal. Park development did not occur in earnest until Mission 66.

During this period, the NPS was able to construct a Visitor Center, the Pinon Flat Campground (88 sites), a picnic area, five comfort stations, six single family residences and a triplex, while also building or improving roads and trails through the park. The Visitor Center shows the motivation of the Western Office of Design and Construction to configure designs to corresponding regions using principles of “regional modernism.” Built in the Pueblo Revival style, the Visitor Center mimics adobe construction through modern materials and forms blended with traditional materials and forms seen during the CCC-era in Cecil Doty’s work.

Following Mission 66, Congress designated nearly 91% of the monument as wilderness in 1976, which certainly limited the park’s ability to further develop visitor and administrative facilities. GRSA became a national park and preserve in 2000, which also included a transfer of land from the Rio Grande National Forest. The dunes have long stood as a landmark for travelers from ancient North Americans to Southern Ute, Jicarilla Apaches, Navajos, early explorers, gold miners, homesteaders, ranchers, farmers and migrant field workers, to you - today's park visitor.
<h2>Recreation</h2>
Great Sand Dunes' wide range of natural features provides endless outdoor recreational activities. The park is perfect for kids, who love exploring the dunefield on foot or by sled. Medano Creek, at the base of the dunes, is a popular place in the summertime. Kids and adults alike love to splash in the cool water. 
 
Many kid-friendly, ranger-led activities and a junior ranger program are available. 
 
Many miles of hiking and backpacking trails lead through the park's forests and alpine terrain, including the Mosca Pass Trail, Dunes Overlook/Sand Ramp Trail and Indian Grove Trail.<h2>Facilities</h2>
Great Sand Dunes' wide range of natural features provides endless outdoor recreational activities. The park is perfect for kids, who love exploring the dunefield on foot or by sled. Medano Creek, at the base of the dunes, is a popular place in the summertime. Kids and adults alike love to splash in the cool water. 
 
Many kid-friendly, ranger-led activities and a junior ranger program are available. 
 
Many miles of hiking and backpacking trails lead through the park's forests and alpine terrain, including the Mosca Pass Trail, Dunes Overlook/Sand Ramp Trail and Indian Grove Trail.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Great Sand Dunes are the magnificent centerpiece of a natural system that includes high mountain peaks, sparkling streams, vast grasslands and lush forests. 
 
The campground is situated among pinon pines and sagebrush beneath the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Most sites have beautiful views of the snow-covered peaks. 
A wide variety of grasses and wildflowers can be found throughout the area, and mule deer are commonly seen in and around the campground.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
Zapata Falls is just south of the national park off Highway 150. A short but slippery 1/2-mile hike leads to a 25-foot high cascade. Simply driving to the trailhead provides an excellent view of the entire dunefield and San Luis Valley, especially at sunrise or sunset. 
 
San Luis State Wildlife Area is located at the western edge of Great Sand Dunes National Park. It features a large natural lake popular for boating, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing and fishing.<h2>Charges & Cancellations</h2>
This is not a staffed facility. 

Campground hosts may be available for assistance. Visitors are responsible for knowing their site number and proceeding to the correct site after 2:00 PM. Early check in is not available.

A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at the campground during their reservation, and does not cancel their reservation. Because this is an unstaffed location, the site will be held for the duration of the reservation and the visitor will not receive a refund for time not spent in the site. Due to the limited number of sites in Pinon Flats Campground, please cancel or change your reservation if you can not use it, so other campers have an opportunity to stay.

<a href="https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies" rel="nofollow">Rules and Reservation Policies</a>

The entrance fee for Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is $25 for
1-7 days. This fee is not included in the camping fee. Interagency passes are
accepted at the entrance station. If you do not have an interagency pass, you
may purchase pass in advance or pay upon arrival.

Dramatic shadows play on the sand dunes with tall, snow-covered peaks towering.

Pinon Flats Campground, tent on the right with sand dunes on the left.

Golden hour. A lone tree in a field of golden grass with the sand dunes in dramatic shadow with mountains behind.

Rolling sand dunes with snowy mountains in the background.

Phenomenal Dark Sky Viewing From Great Sand Dunes NP

Night sky with the Milky Way over dark sand dunes.

Person standing with back to the camera, arms spread wide, facing the sand dunes.

Comfort Station, Pinon Flats Campground

Rolling sand dunes against a summer blue sky with a few clouds.

Person poses in front of sand dunes.

Person walking the ridge of a sand dune, leaving footprints in the sand.

Panoramic view with sunflowers and green fields in the foreground, sand dunes lit by the sun with soaring mountains in the background.

Amphitheater, Pinon Flats Campground

Pinon Flats Campground

Bird's eye view of the park

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Zapata Falls is a waterfall located near the base of the Sangre de Cristo
Mountains on Bureau of Land Management land adjacent to Rio Grande National
Forest and south of Great Sand Dunes National Park. The falls has a drop of
30-foot (9.1 m). Access to this waterfall entails a mildly steep 0.5 mi (0.80
km) hike. Viewing the falls requires fording the stream and climbing rocks.
Black swifts nest near the falls, one of the few known breeding sites for this
species in Colorado During the summer months, the falls provide a cooling
oasis, but during the winter months, the waterfall freezes into an enormous
column of ice, perfect for the experienced ice climber.

  
A short but adventurous hike over slippery rocks leads to a magnificent
25-foot waterfall at Zapata Falls Recreation Area. This area is just as
impressive during the winter months, when the falls freeze into an enormous
column of ice. Travelers along Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway
can stop at Zapata Falls Campground for a convenient overnight stay. For more
information, please contact the San Luis Valley Field Office.

Zapata Falls is a waterfall located near the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on Bureau of Land Management land adjacent to Rio Grande National Forest and south of Great Sand Dunes National Park. The falls has a drop of 30-foot (9.1 m). Access to this waterfall entails a mildly steep 0.5 mi (0.80 km) hike. Viewing the falls requires fording the stream and climbing rocks. Black swifts nest near the falls, one of the few known breeding sites for this species in Colorado During the summer months, the falls provide a cooling oasis, but during the winter months, the waterfall freezes into an enormous column of ice, perfect for the experienced ice climber. 

 A short but adventurous hike over slippery rocks leads to a magnificent 25-foot waterfall at Zapata Falls Recreation Area. This area is just as impressive during the winter months, when the falls freeze into an enormous column of ice. Travelers along Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway can stop at Zapata Falls Campground for a convenient overnight stay. For more information, please contact the San Luis Valley Field Office.

## Overview

A short drive up the gravel road that leads to the Bureau of Land Management’s
Zapata Falls Campground (CG) will let visitors to the area see the San Luis
Valley and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve from a whole new
perspective. The campground offers bird’s-eye views of the valley floor below,
the San Juan Mountains to the west, the adjacent Great Sand Dunes National
Park and Preserve, and several 14er’s and many other towering peaks of the
Sangre de Cristo Mountain range that Zapata Falls CG sits on — not to mention
spectacular sunrises, sunsets and night skies!

Zapata Falls CG has 23 single campsites, 1 group site and 1 camp host site
nestled among piñon pines along two one-mile long loops. The sites on one loop
are designed for tent campers. Parking spurs on the second loop vary a little
in length but in general can handle RVs, towed campers, or other
configurations of vehicles up to about 50 feet long.

A new trailhead in the campground supplies a link to the South Zapata Creek
Trail and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. A second trail, next door to the
campground in the day-use area, leads visitors on a mildly steep half-mile
hike to Zapata Falls, which gives the campground its name.

## Recreation

Zapata Falls Recreation Area is a destination known for its waterfall viewing
and sweeping vistas of the San Luis Valley, its soaring mountain ranges, and
the adjacent Great Sand Dunes National Park. From the waterfall, the trail
continues onto the Rio Grande National Forest, for those seeking a backcountry
experience in the high country above and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.

Recreation Sites

• Standard Nonelectric

• Rv Nonelectric

• Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric

• Overnight

## Facilities

Zapata Falls Recreation Area is a destination known for its waterfall viewing
and sweeping vistas of the San Luis Valley, its soaring mountain ranges, and
the adjacent Great Sand Dunes National Park. From the waterfall, the trail
continues onto the Rio Grande National Forest, for those seeking a backcountry
experience in the high country above and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.

Recreation Sites

• Standard Nonelectric

• Rv Nonelectric

• Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric

• Overnight

## Natural Features

Zapata Falls Special Recreation Management Area

The Zapata Falls Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) is rich in history
and geology and offers opportunities to hike, camp, mountain bike and view
spectacular scenery. Zapata Falls and the 628 acres surrounding them are State
Trust Lands owned by the Colorado State Land Board and are also a designated
Colorado Natural Area. They are cooperatively managed with the Bureau of Land
Management.

History

The name “Zapata” is the Spanish word for shoe and is tied to the history of
settlement in the San Luis Valley. In 1864, Mexican families established the
community of Zapata at the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and
raised sheep and other livestock. In the 1870s, cattleman consolidated land
holdings and established one of the San Luis Valley’s first and largest cattle
ranches know as Zapata Ranch, which remains an active ranch today.

Geology

Zapata Falls SRMA perches on the edge of an active rift valley. The San Luis
Valley was formed when geologic activity along the Rio Grande Rift, a giant
crack in the earth’s top layers, caused the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains
to rise and the flat plain of the San Luis Valley to sink. Bedrock lies 5,000
to 13,000 feet below the valley floor, beneath layers of gravel, soil, and
water.

Approximately two million years ago, alpine glaciers inched down the steep
slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Water flowing from the glacier and
snowfields in the valley above found a weak spot near the end of a moraine – a
huge rock pile deposited thousands of years ago by a glacier. For thousands of
years, water has carved its path, forming Zapata Falls.

Don’t Take the Plunge at Zapata Falls

The cold waters of South Zapata Creek drop more than 25 feet through a narrow,
rocky canyon. Please use extreme caution when hiking or wading around the base
of Zapata Falls. In spring and summer, the water is cold, the current may be
strong, and the rocks are slippery. In winter, climbing to the base of the
falls is a slick proposition. Zapata Creek freezes into a sheet of ice
blanketed by snow. Beware, the ice may not be thick enough to support your
weight. There is no view of the falls from above; trying to climb the rocky
walls is dangerous to you and to people below you. The falls are home to the
black swift, a rare and elusive bird that nests only in the misty reaches of
waterfalls. Stay on the trails to keep from disturbing the birds nesting in
the cliffs.

## Nearby Attractions

Zapata Falls Trail

To reach Zapata Falls, you will need to take a short but arduous hike to
Zapata Creek. The falls are upstream from where the trail meets the creek. The
only way to view the falls is to get your feet wet by wading carefully
upstream to the base of the falls.

Length: 1/2 mile each way

Elevation: 9,000 to 9,400 feet

Connections: South Zapata Lake Trail (U.S. Forest Service Trail #852)

Other Nearby Attractions:

• NPS-Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

• USFS-Rio Grande National Forest and Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.

• BLM-Blanca Wetlands Recreation Area.

• USFWS-Baca and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges.

• Great Sand Dunes Oasis-Restaurant, gift shop, and lodge (near GRSA Park
entrance).

• Ft. Garland Museum and Cultural Center.

• Colorado Gators Reptile Park.

• UFO Watchtower.

• Sand Dunes Hot Springs Pool.

Other Nearby Campgrounds: Pinyon Flats CG, Great Sand Dunes NPP

<h2>Overview</h2>
A short drive up the gravel road that leads to the Bureau of Land Management’s Zapata Falls Campground (CG) will let visitors to the area see the San Luis Valley and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve from a whole new perspective. The campground offers bird’s-eye views of the valley floor below, the San Juan Mountains to the west, the adjacent Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and several 14er’s and many other towering peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range that Zapata Falls CG sits on — not to mention spectacular sunrises, sunsets and night skies!  

Zapata Falls CG has 23 single campsites, 1 group site and 1 camp host site nestled among piñon pines along two one-mile long loops. The sites on one loop are designed for tent campers. Parking spurs on the second loop vary a little in length but in general can handle RVs, towed campers, or other configurations of vehicles up to about 50 feet long.  

A new trailhead in the campground supplies a link to the South Zapata Creek Trail and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. A second trail, next door to the campground in the day-use area, leads visitors on a mildly steep half-mile hike to Zapata Falls, which gives the campground its name.

<h2>Recreation</h2>
Zapata Falls Recreation Area is a destination known for its waterfall viewing and sweeping vistas of the San Luis Valley, its soaring mountain ranges, and the adjacent Great Sand Dunes National Park. From the waterfall, the trail continues onto the Rio Grande National Forest, for those seeking a backcountry experience in the high country above and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. 
Recreation Sites
•	Standard Nonelectric
•	Rv Nonelectric
•	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
•	Overnight
<h2>Facilities</h2>
Zapata Falls Recreation Area is a destination known for its waterfall viewing and sweeping vistas of the San Luis Valley, its soaring mountain ranges, and the adjacent Great Sand Dunes National Park. From the waterfall, the trail continues onto the Rio Grande National Forest, for those seeking a backcountry experience in the high country above and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. 
Recreation Sites
•	Standard Nonelectric
•	Rv Nonelectric
•	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
•	Overnight
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Zapata Falls Special Recreation Management Area
The Zapata Falls Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) is rich in history and geology and offers opportunities to hike, camp, mountain bike and view spectacular scenery. Zapata Falls and the 628 acres surrounding them are State Trust Lands owned by the Colorado State Land Board and are also a designated Colorado Natural Area. They are cooperatively managed with the Bureau of Land Management.

History
The name “Zapata” is the Spanish word for shoe and is tied to the history of settlement in the San Luis Valley. In 1864, Mexican families established the community of Zapata at the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and raised sheep and other livestock. In the 1870s, cattleman consolidated land holdings and established one of the San Luis Valley’s first and largest cattle ranches know as Zapata Ranch, which remains an active ranch today. 

Geology
Zapata Falls SRMA perches on the edge of an active rift valley. The San Luis Valley was formed when geologic activity along the Rio Grande Rift, a giant crack in the earth’s top layers, caused the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains to rise and the flat plain of the San Luis Valley to sink. Bedrock lies 5,000 to 13,000 feet below the valley floor, beneath layers of gravel, soil, and water.
Approximately two million years ago, alpine glaciers inched down the steep slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Water flowing from the glacier and snowfields in the valley above found a weak spot near the end of a moraine – a huge rock pile deposited thousands of years ago by a glacier. For thousands of years, water has carved its path, forming Zapata Falls.

Don’t Take the Plunge at Zapata Falls
The cold waters of South Zapata Creek drop more than 25 feet through a narrow, rocky canyon. Please use extreme caution when hiking or wading around the base of Zapata Falls. In spring and summer, the water is cold, the current may be strong, and the rocks are slippery. In winter, climbing to the base of the falls is a slick proposition. Zapata Creek freezes into a sheet of ice blanketed by snow. Beware, the ice may not be thick enough to support your weight. There is no view of the falls from above; trying to climb the rocky walls is dangerous to you and to people below you. The falls are home to the black swift, a rare and elusive bird that nests only in the misty reaches of waterfalls. Stay on the trails to keep from disturbing the birds nesting in the cliffs. 


<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
Zapata Falls Trail 
To reach Zapata Falls, you will need to take a short but arduous hike to Zapata Creek. The falls are upstream from where the trail meets the creek. The only way to view the falls is to get your feet wet by wading carefully upstream to the base of the falls.
Length: 1/2 mile each way
Elevation: 9,000 to 9,400 feet
Connections: South Zapata Lake Trail (U.S. Forest Service Trail #852)  

Other Nearby Attractions:
•	NPS-Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.  
•	USFS-Rio Grande National Forest and Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.
•	BLM-Blanca Wetlands Recreation Area.
•	USFWS-Baca and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges.
•	Great Sand Dunes Oasis-Restaurant, gift shop, and lodge (near GRSA Park entrance).
•	Ft. Garland Museum and Cultural Center.
•	Colorado Gators Reptile Park.
•	UFO Watchtower.
•	Sand Dunes Hot Springs Pool.

Other Nearby Campgrounds: Pinyon Flats CG, Great Sand Dunes NPP

Individual Sites = $11/night

Group Tent Site = $20/night

14 day Max Stay

View of Great Sand Dunes NPP from Zapata Falls CG

Zapata Falls CG overlooking San Luis Valley

Zapata Falls Recreation Area Map & Info

Zapata Falls Campground Map w/ RV Spurs

Zapata Falls Campground

Zapata Falls Campground1

Zapata Falls Info

Ice Climbing at Zapata Falls

Zapata Falls Recreation Area

Zapata Falls

Zapata Falls SRMA

The Blanca Wetlands Area of Critical Environmental Concern, or Blanca Wildlife
Habitat Area, is an area of the San Luis Valley in Colorado, United States,
which serves as a refuge for birds, fish and other wildlife. The wetlands had
been completely destroyed by pumping and diversion of water for irrigation.
Starting in 1965 the Bureau of Land Management began to restore them, and they
have become an increasingly important ecological habitat for shorebirds, water
birds and other wildlife and native plants.. The region has a cool, dry
climate, with about 107 frost-free days each year. Temperatures range from 30
°F to 85 °F (29 °C). Annual rainfall is about 7 inches (180 mm). The landscape
is flat. Sand dunes carry sparse vegetation such as greasewood, rubber rabbit,
salt grass, Sandhill muhly and sand drop seed. The areas of dunes are
intermingled with depressions and basins of historical playas. As late as the
1800s the area was wet, and the bones of fish show that some of the water was
at least 12 feet (3.7 m) deep. Loss of water and destruction of wetlands
occurred in the twentieth century due to pumping and redirecting surface water
for irrigation. By the mid-1900s the basins had completely dried up, and the
area became known as "Dry Lakes".

  
In 1965 the San Luis Resource Area of the Bureau of Land Management began a
project to restore some of the dry playas in the San Luis Valley to their
former condition as wetlands. The Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area covers almost
10,000 acres (4,000 ha) south of San Luis Lakes and near to the Great Sand
Dunes National Park and Preserve. In contains about two hundred shallow basins
floored by layers of sand and clay, holding wet meadows, salt flats, marshes
and fresh water ponds. As of 1989 the Habitat Area contained 1,400 acres (570
ha) of pond and wetlands, with another 475 acres (192 ha) of historical
wetlands to be developed. Wetland vegetation in the playas includes soft stem
bulrush, cattail, alkaline bulrush, spike rush, sago pondweed, longleaf
pondweed and watermilfoil. About 1,200 acres (490 ha) are watered each year,
while other parts are deliberately allowed to dry up.

  
Wildlife: The wetlands is one of the most important areas for birds in
Colorado since it provides habitat for migrating water birds or shorebirds. It
hosts thirteen threatened, endangered and sensitive species. The bald eagle
and the peregrine falcon use the wetlands. The snowy plover and the white-
faced ibis have been documented as nesting. Other Species of Management
Priority that have been documented are American bittern, avocet, common
yellowthroat, eared grebe, Forster's tern, greater Sandhill crane, hen
harrier, Savannah sparrow, snowy egret, sora rail, western grebe and yellow-
headed blackbird. Shorebirds such as gulls, sandpipers and pelicans are at
home in the salty environment, as well as 158 other species. There is a
breeding population of snowy plover. The wetlands is a duck breeding
concentration area, with mallards by far the most common, but good numbers of
pintail and green-winged teal also visiting.

  
The wetlands could become critical for conserving amphibians in the valley.
There is a healthy population of Great Plains toads. Other documented
amphibians include the plains spadefoot toad, western chorus frog, leopard
frog and tiger salamander. There are several species of bat in the wetlands.
The least chipmunk is common in the greasewood parks that adjoin the wetlands
and the Ord's kangaroo rat lives in the sand dunes. Muskrats and coyotes are
present, and mule deer and elk are often seen in the wetland area. For more
information , please contact the San Luis Valley Field Office.

The Blanca Wetlands Area of Critical Environmental Concern, or Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area, is an area of the San Luis Valley in Colorado, United States, which serves as a refuge for birds, fish and other wildlife. The wetlands had been completely destroyed by pumping and diversion of water for irrigation. Starting in 1965 the Bureau of Land Management began to restore them, and they have become an increasingly important ecological habitat for shorebirds, water birds and other wildlife and native plants.. The region has a cool, dry climate, with about 107 frost-free days each year. Temperatures range from 30 °F to 85 °F (29 °C). Annual rainfall is about 7 inches (180 mm). The landscape is flat. Sand dunes carry sparse vegetation such as greasewood, rubber rabbit, salt grass, Sandhill muhly and sand drop seed. The areas of dunes are intermingled with depressions and basins of historical playas. As late as the 1800s the area was wet, and the bones of fish show that some of the water was at least 12 feet (3.7 m) deep. Loss of water and destruction of wetlands occurred in the twentieth century due to pumping and redirecting surface water for irrigation. By the mid-1900s the basins had completely dried up, and the area became known as "Dry Lakes". 

 In 1965 the San Luis Resource Area of the Bureau of Land Management began a project to restore some of the dry playas in the San Luis Valley to their former condition as wetlands. The Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area covers almost 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) south of San Luis Lakes and near to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. In contains about two hundred shallow basins floored by layers of sand and clay, holding wet meadows, salt flats, marshes and fresh water ponds. As of 1989 the Habitat Area contained 1,400 acres (570 ha) of pond and wetlands, with another 475 acres (192 ha) of historical wetlands to be developed. Wetland vegetation in the playas includes soft stem bulrush, cattail, alkaline bulrush, spike rush, sago pondweed, longleaf pondweed and watermilfoil. About 1,200 acres (490 ha) are watered each year, while other parts are deliberately allowed to dry up. 

 Wildlife: The wetlands is one of the most important areas for birds in Colorado since it provides habitat for migrating water birds or shorebirds. It hosts thirteen threatened, endangered and sensitive species. The bald eagle and the peregrine falcon use the wetlands. The snowy plover and the white-faced ibis have been documented as nesting. Other Species of Management Priority that have been documented are American bittern, avocet, common yellowthroat, eared grebe, Forster's tern, greater Sandhill crane, hen harrier, Savannah sparrow, snowy egret, sora rail, western grebe and yellow-headed blackbird. Shorebirds such as gulls, sandpipers and pelicans are at home in the salty environment, as well as 158 other species. There is a breeding population of snowy plover. The wetlands is a duck breeding concentration area, with mallards by far the most common, but good numbers of pintail and green-winged teal also visiting. 

 The wetlands could become critical for conserving amphibians in the valley. There is a healthy population of Great Plains toads. Other documented amphibians include the plains spadefoot toad, western chorus frog, leopard frog and tiger salamander. There are several species of bat in the wetlands. The least chipmunk is common in the greasewood parks that adjoin the wetlands and the Ord's kangaroo rat lives in the sand dunes. Muskrats and coyotes are present, and mule deer and elk are often seen in the wetland area. For more information , please contact the San Luis Valley Field Office.

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Blanca Wetlands