Local attractions around Crestone for before and after your retreat
Many people coming for dark retreat arrive a few days early to settle into the environment, or stay on afterwards to help integrate their experience. Hot springs, sand dunes, hiking and spiritual centers are all within reach in the San Luis Valley.
Hot springs
Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa
Three outdoor soaking pools at 98°, 104° and 108°F, with a spa and lodging. Open in all seasons, day guests welcome.
Camping permitted.
Valley View Hot Springs
Natural ponds and pools on a nonprofit land trust at 8,700 feet. Clothing is optional across the whole property. Reservation only: visitors who are not members can book 24 hours ahead at 719-256-4315.
Camping permitted.
Sand Dunes Recreation, the Hooper pool
A large geothermal outdoor swimming pool, plus the Greenhouse, an indoor soaking area for adults 21 and over. Closed every Thursday.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Historic bath house, soaking pools, and hot springs that rise in the bed of Chalk Creek. Open year-round; day passes are sold on site.
Cottonwood Hot Springs
Rustic gravity-fed soaking pools beside a creek. Walk-ins welcome, open late.
Attractions outside Crestone
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
The tallest dunes in North America, against the Sangre de Cristo range. Open 24 hours, all year; $25 per vehicle for seven days.
Zapata Falls
A half-mile rocky walk, then a wade up a slot canyon to the falls.
Colorado Gators Reptile Park
A geothermal reptile rescue with hundreds of alligators, plus crocodiles, caimans, tortoises and turtles.
Sandhill cranes at Monte Vista
Around 20,000 sandhill cranes stop in the San Luis Valley each spring. Viewing from the refuge's wildlife drive is free.
Penitente Canyon
Sculpted volcanic rock with hiking and biking trails and hundreds of climbing routes.
Stupas, the Ziggurat and spiritual centers
Crestone holds an extraordinary number of spiritual centers from many traditions, and they welcome all visitors.
Crestone Ziggurat
An ochre spiral tower on a sandy hill. A short uphill walk, then a ramp to the top, with views of the valley, the dunes and the Crestone peaks.
Tashi Gomang Stupa
A 42-foot stupa on 200 acres, honoring the 16th Karmapa.
Jangchub Chorten, the Stupa of Enlightenment
A stupa dedicated to Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, holding 20,000 tsa-tsas, sacred texts and relics.
Haidakhandi Universal Ashram
A Hindu ashram with a temple to the Divine Mother. Visitors can join aarati at 7 am or 6 pm, sit in the temple, or visit the Maha Lakshmi shop from 10 to 4.
Shumei International Institute
A short film, then a walk through the buildings, grounds and gardens. The 8:00 am and 6:00 pm Sampai services are open to the public.
Vajra Vidya Retreat Center
A public morning meditation in the shrine room. All are welcome.
Sri Aurobindo Learning Center
A meditation dome and library, open to visitors by arrangement: 206-963-0989.
Crestone Mountain Zen Center
A Zen monastery and practice center of Dharma Sangha, in the foothills above the Baca.
Mangala Shri Bhuti · Longchen Jigme Samten Ling
A Tibetan Buddhist retreat center of the Mangala Shri Bhuti sangha.
Trails in Crestone
Liberty Road from Liberty Gate
An old stage road, closed to vehicles, that enters the national park from the south end of the Baca. Open grassland, elk and views of the peaks.
Willow Lake Trail
The classic Crestone hike, to an alpine lake with a waterfall below Challenger Point. From Galena Avenue, follow the gravel road 1.5 miles to the trailhead.
South Crestone Lake Trail
Same trailhead as Willow Lake. A steep climb through canyon, aspen and fir.
North Crestone Trail
A long, steady climb beside North Crestone Creek, starting 1.3 miles north of town on Alder Street.
Camping nearby
Prices as published in 2026.
Baca Grande Campground
Sixteen tent and RV sites with water and power, a bathhouse with showers, laundry and Wi-Fi. Tent sites about $37 a night. Run by the property owners association; contact the host to book: 719-405-0169.
Dispersed camping on the Willow Lake road
Roadside sites along the gravel road past the end of Galena Avenue. No water and no services; pack everything out. 14-day limit.
North Crestone Creek Campground
Thirteen first-come Forest Service sites beside the creek, with vault toilets and bear lockers but no drinking water. Open May 15 to mid-November.
Piñon Flats Campground
The national park campground, open April through October, by reservation only on recreation.gov.
Zapata Falls Campground
Open all year, with wide views over the dunes, at 9,000 feet on an unplowed road with no water.
Bears are active around Crestone. Use bear lockers where they are provided, and don't leave food out or in your vehicle.