Zapata Falls

Zapata Falls is a 30-foot waterfall inside a slot in the rock at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo, 10 minutes south of Great Sand Dunes, and the walk to it is half a mile up a rocky path and then a wade of 100 yards up the creek into the slot to see it. In winter the falls freeze solid and the wade becomes a careful walk on ice. The view of the dunes from the parking lot is the other reason to stop.

From the lot, the trail climbs gently for half a mile on a wide, rocky path through pinyon and juniper to South Zapata Creek where it leaves the slot. To see the falls, step into the creek and wade upstream over slick rocks, ankle to knee deep in summer, into a narrow canyon of dark rock where the falls drop into a pool at the back. The water is cold in every month.

The South Zapata Lake trail continues from the falls area up the creek 4 miles and 2,500 feet to an alpine lake for a real hike. Most people wade, look, and walk back down for the 1-mile version.

From Colorado 150 about 8 miles north of US 160, or 4 miles south of the Great Sand Dunes entrance, turn east on the signed Zapata Falls road and climb 3.5 miles to the lot; the road was paved in 2021 and any car manages it. The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and there is no fee for day use. The lot has toilets, and the Zapata Falls campground beside it has fee sites with the dunes in view.

Dogs are allowed on leash. Kids love the wade and need a hand on the slick rocks; the water is cold enough to end the visit fast. Bring water shoes or sandals and a towel, and in winter bring microspikes. The rocks in the slot are wet and the footing is the hazard. Black swifts nest in the spray zone of the falls in summer; do not climb the rock beside them. The lot sits at 9,000 feet with a view of the whole dune field. Alamosa, 30 minutes away, has the services. The Alamosa hikes page has the dunes and the Blanca group, and the Sangre de Cristo page covers the range above.