Alamosa

Located in south central Colorado and surrounded by the dramatic Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges, Alamosa is the San Luis Valley’s largest town (10,000) and serves as its cultural and economic center, and is the departure point for the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s two routes.

Central to attractions and recreation opportunities for all ages, Alamosa offers visitors a range of lodging, dining and entertainment throughout the year. The town’s Main Street pubs, cafes, coffee shops and retail shops are just a short walk from the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s depot. The mighty Rio Grande winds through town and alongside picturesque Cole Park, a great spot for a sunset walk after a day on the train.

Alamosa hosts exciting events year-round, including Summerfest on the Rio, the Early Iron Festival, a Sundays at Six concert series in the park, a spring ArtWalk, historic tours, Fourth of July festivities, theater and musical performances, local Farmer’s Market events and more.

For more information about Alamosa, visit www.alamosa.org.

Monte Vista

Monte Vista – Spanish for Mountain View-- is a historic, lively city located in the heart of the San Luis Valley. In every direction you look, you are surrounded by Colorado’s magnificent mountains--some of which peak at 14,000 feet.

Home to the Crane Festival crane watchers come from far and wide to join this celebration at the Monte Vista Crane Festiva or to attend the Ski Hi Stampede RodeoToday--Colorado's oldest pro-rodeo. For more information about Monte Vista vist: www.monte-vista.org.

The San Luis Valley

Boasting more than 8,000 square miles within its borders, the world’s largest and highest inhabited alpine valley is home to some of the most spectacular scenery and outdoor recreation in the west. Ringed by mountains on all sides, many of them among the highest peaks in the continental U.S., the valley itself is a colorful collage of agricultural land, prairie grasses, meadows, sweeping foothills and quaint, historic towns dating back to the mid-to-late 1800s.

Six unique counties offer visitors an array of experiences, from the adventurous to the historic to the downright rejuvenating. Thriving in its geographic isolation, the valley’s natural attractions include numerous hot springs, world-class mountain climbing, the Rio Grande and Conejos rivers, protected wetlands, national forests and recreation areas and perhaps its most famous attraction: the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

Rippling across a large section of the valley’s northeastern edge, the dunes are a dynamic, shape-shifting natural wonder unlike any other in our part of the country. At more than 700 feet high at their highest point, these are the tallest sand dunes in North America, and unlike many impressionable displays of nature, can be hiked up, climbed on, rolled down, played with and otherwise available for fully immersed interaction, making it a vast playground for kids and adults alike.

Other valley attractions include the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the Colorado Alligator Farm and Reptile Park, the UFO Watchtower, three wildlife refuges, numerous museums and historical sites, relaxing fishing holes, lakes and reservoirs, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, two scenic byways, numerous theaters, galleries, festivals and more.

Whether you’re a family in search of a fun getaway, a honeymooning couple, a solo traveler or a group looking for a unique venue, there’s no shortage of memories to be made in the magical, moody San Luis Valley.