Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
overall the sites are fairly bleak. This is very much a Plan B choice. The cabins are also
very spartan.
Zapata Ranch
( 719-378-2356;
www.zranch.org
; 5303 Hwy 150; d with full board $300; )
Ideal for horseriding enthu-
siasts, this exclusive preserve is a working cattle and bison ranch set amid groves of cot-
tonwood trees. Owned and operated by the Nature Conservancy, the main inn is a refur-
bished 19th-century log structure, with distant views of the sand dunes.
DUDE RANCH
$$$
UFO WATCHTOWER
Don't panic! The visiting aliens are harmless. Or mostly harmless anyway. And if you're eager for a glimpse (or
perhaps want to leave an offering for a weary interstellar hitchhiker), then a stop at the
UFO Watchtower
(
www.ufowatchtower.com
; 2502 County Rd 61; $5 donation per car; ) is a must. About 15ft high, the tower
is unlikely to improve your chances of actually spotting a flying saucer, however the garden and its assorted treas-
ures is definitely something to behold. The watchtower is located off Hwy 17 near Hooper (about 30 miles west
of the Great Sand Dunes National Park), and is easiest to access if you're driving south toward the dunes from
Salida.
Information
Great Sand Dunes National Park Visitor Center
( 719-378-6399;
www.nps.gov/grsa
; 11999 Hwy 150;
8:30am-6:30pm summer, shorter hr rest of yr)
Stop by this informative center before venturing out to
learn about the geology and history of the dunes or to chat with a ranger about hiking or
backcountry camping options. Be sure to ask about scheduled nature walks and nightly
programs held at the amphitheater near Pinyon Flats.
Getting There & Away
Great Sand Dunes National Park is 33 miles northeast of Alamosa. To get here, travel east
on US 160 for 14 miles toward prominent Blanca Peak, turn left (north) on Hwy 150 and
follow the road for 19 miles to the visitor center, 3 miles north of the park entrance. You
can also get here from the north, turning west off Hwy 17 onto County Ln 6 N (look for
signs).
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