Things To Do & Experience
Crestone and the San Luis Valley offer a wildly unique mix of soul-searching, outdoor adventure, and small‑town charm. You can tackle hikes into the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness for unforgettable views. The town of Crestone has earned its reputation as a spiritual crossroads, with dozens of retreat centers and temples including the eye-catching Crestone Ziggurat, Buddhist Stupas, Ashrams, and many more. Wander downtown to browse local artisan gallery and grab lunch at a local restaurant. Nearby natural hot springs, such as Joyful Journey, Valley View, and Sand Dunes Pool, make for perfect relaxing dips after a hike.
And if you head slightly east, the Great Sand Dunes National Park rises dramatically out of the valley floor, offering sandboarding, dune hikes, stargazing (it’s a certified Dark Sky Park), horseback rides, and backcountry camping. For something more off‑beat, you might also explore Penitente Canyon, a popular BLM‑managed climbing and camping area flanked by dramatic canyon walls. History buffs can swing through local gems like the Saguache County Museum or Fort Garland Museum to soak up the valley’s cultural and frontier past.
Sand Dunes National Park
The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve protects the tallest dunes in North America… and a whole lot more. The park and preserve contain ecosystems ranging from wetlands to forest to tundra—each supporting specially adapted plant, animal and insect life. Make the most of your visit by taking the time to experience this diversity in your national park!
Valley View Hot Springs & OLT
Orient Land Trust is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to the preservation of Valley View Hot Springs (VVHS) and its viewshed— including natural and biologic resources, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, open space, and historic and geologic features of the northern San Luis Valley for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations.
With the Orient Mine and Everson Ranch, we now protect 2,200 acres, its wildlife corridor, pristine spring waters, hiking trails, rustic cabins, and camping. Visitors of all ages and walks of life enjoy free educational programs, clothing-optional naturist open space, geothermal warmth, hydroelectric energy, and Colorado's largest bat colony.
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Where the healing waters flow.
All of our pools are filled with the natural, mineral-rich, geothermically heated water that rises in artisanal springs on the property. Although the water rises from the travertine springs at between 120°F and 145°F, we maintain our pools between 98°F and 108°F. The water is a sodium bicarbonate type with significant levels of boron, calcium, lithium and magnesium along with several other beneficial minerals.
Sand Dunes Recreation
Truly an oasis in the middle of the scenic San Luis Valley, we offer family fun, relaxation, & rejuvenation for the entire family! We offer a large family pool maintained at 98 degrees year-round! There’s also a baby pool, and a 25 person therapy pool maintained at 105-107. For our guests 21+ and those seeking an adults-only environment, we offer The Greenhouse: enjoy 4 soaking pools at different temperatures, a 10 person sauna, tropical gardens, patios, upscale Small Plates Menu, & on-site beer & wine bar “The Steel Box Bar”. Native American elders and spiritual masters from the Crestone area consider this area on the west side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as one of the most sacred and energetically active places in North America. It is said that the water here is encoded with the energy of the earth from which it rises.
Penitente Canyon
If technical rock climbing is your type of adventure, then Penitente Canyon may have what you want. The canyon is known for its nearly 300 world class technical rock climbing routes. South-facing routes can be climbed year-round within the Recreation Area. Numerous Trails are also available for your enjoyment within Penitente Canyon SRMA. Other attractions include trout fishing in La Garita Creek and primitive camping. For more information, please contact the San Luis Valley Field Office.
