San Luis Lake

San Luis Lake sits in the San Luis Valley of Alamosa County, surrounded by some of the most dramatic scenery in southern Colorado. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains rise sharply to the east, Great Sand Dunes National Park lies just to the northeast, and the vast open valley stretches in every direction. On paper, this state wildlife area should be a premier fishing and boating destination. In reality, San Luis Lake has been dry for years, and visitors arriving expecting water will find only a dusty lakebed and abandoned infrastructure.

The lake's water supply depends on snowmelt and irrigation flows from the closed San Luis Valley basin, and prolonged drought combined with shifting water rights has left the lake completely empty since at least the early 2020s. There is no water here. No puddle, no pond, no shoreline. The boat ramp is closed and gated. Interpretive signs near the entrance still describe wildlife and recreational opportunities that no longer exist. For first-time visitors who did not research current conditions, the experience can feel surreal, like arriving at a movie set that has been abandoned.

Despite having no lake, San Luis Lake State Wildlife Area still draws campers and travelers. Mosca Campground, located nearby in the San Luis Lakes complex, offers developed campsites with fire pits, covered picnic tables, vault toilets, and free electricity at loop B sites. Cell service is reported as good in the campground area. The campground serves as a convenient and affordable base camp for visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park, which is only a short drive away.

The surrounding landscape remains striking. The open valley floor, the massive dune field to the northeast, and the towering Sangre de Cristo peaks create panoramic views that visitors describe as unmatched. Birding is still viable along the wetland margins and in the grasslands surrounding the dry lakebed, and the area is quiet enough that the only sounds are wind and birds. Sunsets and sunrises over the dunes and mountains are spectacular.

If you are planning a trip to San Luis Lake specifically for fishing, boating, or any water-based recreation, check current conditions before you go. As of recent years, the lake has been completely dry with no indication of when or whether it will refill. If you are looking for a quiet, scenic campground near Great Sand Dunes with mountain views and open skies, the facilities here still serve that purpose well.