Camping Area

Zapata Falls Site 5 campground

Colorado, USA Rio Grande Headwaters watershed 37.618°, -105.561°
Today high
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Tonight low
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Reservations
No
Nearby campsites
6
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 Zapata Falls Site 5 -- Colorado campground
Zapata Falls Site 5 Colorado · Rio Grande Headwaters watershed
About this campground

Zapata Falls Site 5

Zapata Falls Site 5 Campsite is a developed, reservable, fee area in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The site is located along the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Nearby points of interest include the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which features the tallest sand dunes in North America, as well as the San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area, which is home to a diverse array of wildlife species.

The campground amenities at Zapata Falls Site 5 include picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. The site is situated near the Zapata Falls Trail, which leads to a beautiful waterfall that cascades over a rocky cliff. The area is also rich in history, with evidence of ancient Native American settlements dating back thousands of years.

The best time of year to visit Zapata Falls Site 5 is during the summer months, when temperatures are mild and the surrounding landscape is lush and green. Average temperatures during this time range from the mid-70s to low 80s during the day and drop to the 40s at night. It is important to note that the campground is located at an elevation of over 9,000 feet, which can cause temperatures to drop significantly at night, even during the summer months.
StateColorado
WatershedRio Grande Headwaters
Latitude37.6178°
Longitude-105.5606°
Amenities

What's on-site at Zapata Falls Site 5

Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.

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Reservations
First-come, first-served
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Toilets
Not listed
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Showers
Not listed
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Fire rings
Check rules
Detailed forecast

Plan your trip down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.

Time Condition Temp (°F) Snow (in) Rain (in) Humidity (%) Wind (mps) Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.

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Nearby campgrounds

Other campgrounds in the area

Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Zapata Falls Site 5, with reservations status.

Campground Reservations Toilets View
Zapata Falls Site 4
Zapata Falls Site 14
Zapata Falls Site 6
Zapata Falls Campground
Zapata Falls Site 3
Live water

Nearby streamflow

USGS streamgauges within reach of Zapata Falls Site 5 -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.

Snowpack

Nearby snow depths

NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Zapata Falls Site 5 -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.

SNOTEL station Snowpack 24h Snowfall View
Great Sand Dunes Natl Mon 0.0 in 0.0 in
Nohrsc Ute Creek 2.0 in 0.0 in
Ute Creek 2.0 in 0.0 in
Nohrsc Medano Pass 1.0 in 0.0 in
Medano Pass 1.0 in 0.0 in
Alamosa 1.1 N 0.0 in 0.0 in

Camping essentials & Leave No Trace

Pack it in, pack it out
Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
Respect wildlife
Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
Know before you go
Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
Minimize campfire impact
Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
Leave what you find
Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Zapata Falls Site 5 as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.

FAQ

About Zapata Falls Site 5

Can I make reservations at Zapata Falls Site 5?

This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.

How fresh is the weather data on this page?

The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.

What's the best time of year to visit?

Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.

How do I get to Zapata Falls Site 5?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.

Can I get alerts when conditions change?

Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

More camping

Other campgrounds near here

Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Zapata Falls Site 5.

Premium feature

Favorites and custom alerts are part of Snoflo Premium. Save campgrounds, set thresholds, and get push notifications when conditions change.

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Manage alerts in the Snoflo app

Custom push alerts are configured in the iOS app -- favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

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