Costilla County, located in southern Colorado, offers a mix of outdoor activities and historical sites. The area is surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the San Luis Valley, making it a great place for hiking, fishing, hunting, and learning about local history.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, just north of the county, is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. Visitors can hike, sandboard, or explore Medano Creek when it flows in the spring and early summer. Zapata Falls, a short hike from the main road, leads to a waterfall hidden in a rocky crevice. It’s a great spot to cool off and take in the scenery.
San Luis, Colorado’s oldest town, is home to the Stations of the Cross Shrine, a hillside path with sculptures depicting biblical scenes. The town also has the San Luis Valley Museum, which highlights Hispanic and Native American history in the region. For those interested in hiking, Culebra Peak is the only fourteener (mountain over 14,000 feet) in Costilla County. It’s privately owned by Cielo Vista Ranch, and hikers need a permit to access the mountain. The hike to the top offers stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
Fishing and hunting are also popular in Costilla County. The Culebra Creek and other nearby streams offer opportunities to catch trout, including brown and rainbow trout. Sanchez Reservoir, located south of San Luis, is another good fishing spot, known for northern pike, walleye, and catfish. Hunting in the area includes elk, deer, and small game, with public and private land options available. Hunters need the proper permits, and some private lands, including Cielo Vista Ranch, offer guided hunts for a fee.
Costilla County is a quiet destination with open spaces and fewer crowds. Whether exploring the dunes, fishing in the creeks, hiking a peak, or hunting in the mountains, choose your own adventure to experience this part of Colorado.