Fall weather in the San Luis Valley is ideal for visiting and enjoying the Great Sand Dunes National Park with fewer crowds, mild temperatures and colorful trees in Alamosa, Hooper, Del Norte and Fort Garland.
San Luis Valley Great Outdoors works to protect and maintain trails throughout the San Luis Valley. Connect with them to see how you can contribute.
The train departs from Antonito and travels across scenic prairies, giving you a true sense of life in the Wild West. Enjoy the views and lunch at Osier — included in the full-day ticket price — before you head back to Antonito.
A quick 30-minute drive north on Hwy. 285 takes you to Alamosa, where your fun continues.
Take a stroll in downtown Alamosa. As you make your way from the train to dinner, enjoy sculptures spread around from various artists. In its second year, there are 19 pieces throughout the area in front of businesses and on street corners.
As you trek along the byway, stop in the historic area of Fort Garland for lunch before heading on to the wee town of Hooper.
The Sand Dunes Swimming Pool offers multiple lodging opportunities with RV spots, camping sites and cabins, so you can finish your journey here for the day. Reserve early!
Stop by Kristi Mountain Sports in Del Norte for bike rentals and local advice to hit the trails. The length of the variable trails is 25 miles all together and ranges in difficulty depending on the trail. It has interconnecting loops in a maze that can take from 1 to 5 hours to ride.
Burn off the lunch calories with a hike or bike along the trail just southeast of the town. This trail offers a setting with a high-desert environment and near the area where the Old Spanish Trail turned north from Santa Fe. This trail is 4.5 to 6 miles round trip.
