Saguache County Tourism

Saguache County Tourism Ready to adventure in the land of high desert & hidden treasures? Welcome to Saguache County! See our dark skies and experience endless wonder.

Hike and explore our hot springs, artsy towns, quirky museums & enjoy live music.

Wide-open landscapes. Dark skies. Quiet nights... It’s no surprise that Saguache County and the surrounding San Luis Val...
05/29/2026

Wide-open landscapes. Dark skies. Quiet nights... It’s no surprise that Saguache County and the surrounding San Luis Valley have earned a reputation as one of Colorado’s most talked-about hotspots for UFO sightings and unexplained phenomena.

For decades, locals and visitors alike have shared stories of mysterious lights moving across the valley sky, unexplained aerial activity, and encounters that are still hard to explain. Some say it’s the region’s vast isolation and high elevation. Others think there’s something more to it.

Whether you’re a skeptic, believer, or just curious, there’s no denying the atmosphere here after dark feels a little different.

The most famous UFO destination in the San Luis Valley is UFO Watchtower. Located near Hooper, the watchtower has become a cult-favorite roadside attraction with a viewing deck, campground, gift shop, and years of reported sightings from visitors and locals alike. People come for the night skies, the lore, and the possibility of seeing something unexplained.
(Images from uconvercolorado & loveexploring, respectively)

Hiking Trails in Saguache County...Big mountain views, alpine lakes, canyon terrain, and quiet forest paths - Saguache C...
05/28/2026

Hiking Trails in Saguache County...
Big mountain views, alpine lakes, canyon terrain, and quiet forest paths - Saguache County offers trails that make you want to keep walking just a little farther.

🌲 North Crestone Trail
One of the area’s most popular hikes, this trail climbs into the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness with creek crossings, waterfalls, and dramatic mountain scenery along the way.
(Image from

🏔️ Sand Creek Lakes Trail
A rewarding alpine hike leading to stunning high-mountain lakes surrounded by rugged peaks. It’s a longer trek, but the views at the end are worth every step.
(Image from theoutbound)

🌲 South Fork Saguache Trail
A peaceful forest trail that follows the creek through shaded terrain and mountain landscapes—ideal for hikers looking for a quieter backcountry experience.
(Image from peakvisor)

Whether you’re after a quick scenic walk or a full-day adventure, there’s a trail here that meets you where you are.

Mountain Biking in Saguache County...From high-desert canyon rides to alpine backroads, there’s no shortage of places to...
05/27/2026

Mountain Biking in Saguache County...
From high-desert canyon rides to alpine backroads, there’s no shortage of places to explore on two wheels.

🚵‍ Penitente Canyon
A favorite for riders looking for rugged terrain and unique scenery. Expect volcanic rock formations, flowing singletrack, and wide-open canyon views that make every ride feel a little more remote.
(Image from DNTO Chris Kassarapril)

🚵‍ Cochetopa Pass
Long forest roads, rolling climbs, and mountain scenery make this a great option for gravel riders and mountain bikers alike. It’s the kind of ride where you’ll spend more time hearing wind through the trees than traffic.
(Image from mountainbikebill)

🚵‍ Saguache Park Road
Near the Continental Divide corridor, this area offers access to remote roads and high-country terrain with expansive alpine views. A solid choice for riders wanting a quieter, backcountry-style experience.
(Image from bikepacking)

Whether you’re chasing elevation, scenery, or just a good excuse to stay outside all day, Saguache County has trails worth the ride.

On your way to Memorial weekend shenanigans? Stop by this 100-year-old mercantile building in the town of Saguache for a...
05/22/2026

On your way to Memorial weekend shenanigans? Stop by this 100-year-old mercantile building in the town of Saguache for a face-to-face interaction with the art and the unique environment in which it was created. The large wall of 24 Pedersen oil heads, 8 to a row, is a remarkably powerful presentation. There is an interplay and dialogue between the artworks of Hauck & Pedersen.

Kelsey Hauck creates expressive collages using a rich variety of materials that tell their own stories before becoming part of a larger narrative.

Douglas O. Pedersen's oil paintings stand as powerful explorations of the human condition, rendered in the expressionist tradition with remarkable technical mastery.

Request a private viewing at (719) 655-2670 or hauckpedersen.com

📸 Images from hauckpedersen.com

At the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and home to more than 20 spiritual centers and retreat spaces representing...
05/20/2026

At the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and home to more than 20 spiritual centers and retreat spaces representing traditions from around the world, Crestone draws visitors seeking stillness, reflection, creativity, and connection. Buddhist temples, meditation centers, sacred gardens, and quiet mountain spaces are woven throughout the landscape, each adding to the town’s calm and contemplative atmosphere.

And you don’t have to attend a retreat to feel it.

Spend a day wandering the town, hiking nearby trails, watching the sunset over the valley, or stargazing beneath Crestone’s dark skies, and you’ll understand why so many people return here again and again.

Here are some of the spiritual centers and retreat spaces in and around Crestone:

📍 Crestone Mountain Zen Center — Zen Buddhist retreat and meditation center
📍 Dharma Ocean Retreat Center
📍 Chamma Ling
📍 Haidakhandi Universal Ashram
📍 Mangala Shri Bhuti
📍 Vajra Vidya Retreat Center
📍 Yeshe Khorlo
📍 Shumei International Institute
📍 Sri Aurobindo Learning Center
📍 Karma Thegsum Tashi Gomang
📍 Center for Contemplative Research
📍 White Jewel Mountain
📍 Crestone Baptist Church
📍 Little Shepherd in the Hills Chapel

Many of these centers offer meditation retreats, workshops, teachings, ceremonies, guest stays, and public events throughout the year. Together, they’ve helped shape Crestone into a globally recognized destination for spiritual exploration and quiet reflection.

📸 Image 1 - crestonebliss.com
📸 Image 2 - Joshua Ware
📸 Image 3 - uncovercolorado.com
📸 Image 4 - Faina Gurevich
📸 Image 5 - jeaniemanchester.com
📸 Image 6 - insighttimer.com

Saguache County Museum Annual Opening Event is ONE WEEK AWAY! Sunday, May 2410am - 5pmTown of Saguache A wonderful histo...
05/17/2026

Saguache County Museum Annual Opening Event is ONE WEEK AWAY!

Sunday, May 24
10am - 5pm
Town of Saguache

A wonderful historical museum to visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Opening Day Celebrations include free admission, BBQ lunch, and demonstrations. The event will include a parade, car show, play, and much more!

Come say hello and learn about Saguache's history!

📸 Image 1 - Richard Trotter
📸 Image 2 -Mindtrip.com

Experience the Night at the Great Sand Dunes National Park! Recognized as a Dark Sky Park in 2019, the Great Sand Dunes ...
05/16/2026

Experience the Night at the Great Sand Dunes National Park!

Recognized as a Dark Sky Park in 2019, the Great Sand Dunes National Park hosts some of the darkest skies in the country. After dark, the park experience is illuminated by the moon, the solar system, and meteorites.

Mountain Biking in Saguache CountyFrom high-desert terrain to mountain passes and forest roads, Saguache County has plen...
05/15/2026

Mountain Biking in Saguache County

From high-desert terrain to mountain passes and forest roads, Saguache County has plenty of space to explore on two wheels. Here are three spots worth adding to your ride list:

Penitente Canyon
Known for its volcanic rock formations and rugged scenery, Penitente Canyon offers a mix of trails, dirt roads, and technical terrain that mountain bikers love. The landscape is wide open, quiet, and especially beautiful in the early morning or evening light.

Cochetopa Pass
For riders who prefer long scenic routes and mountain views, Cochetopa Pass delivers. Forest roads and rolling terrain make this area a great option for gravel riders, mountain bikers, and anyone looking to spend a full day exploring Colorado backcountry.

Saguache Park Road
Near the Continental Divide Trail corridor, this area gives riders access to remote roads, forested stretches, and expansive alpine views. It’s a quieter riding destination with plenty of room to roam and connect with surrounding trail systems.

Saguache County’s diverse landscapes, including sagebrush flats, wetlands, forests, and high mountain tundra, support an...
05/07/2026

Saguache County’s diverse landscapes, including sagebrush flats, wetlands, forests, and high mountain tundra, support an impressive variety of animals. For visitors willing to slow down and keep their eyes open, wildlife viewing can become one of the most memorable parts of a trip to the San Luis Valley.

So, where can you view wildlife in the valley?

Baca National Wildlife Refuge
A more remote and less-visited refuge offering a quieter wildlife experience. Known for pronghorn, elk, waterfowl, and expansive views of the valley with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop. (Image from travel.com)

Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area
A hidden gem for birdwatchers, this wetland area attracts ducks, shorebirds, and other waterfowl, along with occasional sightings of deer and small mammals. It’s a quieter alternative to the larger refuges, with excellent opportunities for peaceful wildlife viewing. (Image from The Adventure Collective)

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Beyond the dunes, this park supports diverse ecosystems where you might see elk, black bears (occasionally), bighorn sheep, and smaller desert-adapted wildlife. (Image from westernnationalparks.com)

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
One of the best birdwatching spots in Colorado, especially during spring and fall migration. Expect large flocks of sandhill cranes, snow geese, ducks, and plenty of raptors. (Image from Expedia.com)

Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
A mix of wetlands, grasslands, and riparian areas along the Rio Grande. Great for spotting mule deer, coyotes, beavers, and a wide variety of birds year-round. (Image by Mark Byzewskion Uncover Colorado)

📍 Tip: Early morning and evening are the best times for wildlife viewing, and patience goes a long way out here.

See you out there!

Looking for a campsite that feels a little more off the map? Penitente Canyon offers a unique camping experience surroun...
05/07/2026

Looking for a campsite that feels a little more off the map? Penitente Canyon offers a unique camping experience surrounded by volcanic cliffs, quiet desert scenery, and wide-open skies in the San Luis Valley.

The First-come, first-served campground is popular with climbers, hikers, mountain bikers, and travelers seeking a peaceful basecamp close to nature. Campsites include picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and easy access to trails and climbing routes throughout the canyon.

By day, explore the rugged rock formations by climbing or watching climbers ascend them, and hike and bike the canyon trails. By night, settle in for dark skies, stargazing, and the kind of quiet that’s hard to come by.

A reminder to camp responsibly, pack out what you bring in, and help preserve this incredible landscape for future visitors.

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