101 Things 2021 for Yumpu

Page 6 Summer in the San Luis Valley 2021
Alamosa County
1 GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND
PRESERVE — North America’s tallest dunes rise over 750
feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
This geologic wonderland, containing over 30 square miles of
massive dunes, became one of the nation’s newest national parks
in September 2004. It also includes alpine lakes and tundra, six
peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation, ancient spruce and pine
forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and
wetlands — all habitat for diverse wildlife and plant species.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is located 35 miles northeast
of Alamosa, Colorado, reached by U.S. Highway 160 and State
Highway 150 from the south, or from State Highway 17 and
County Lane 6 from the west. Contact: (719) 378-2020 or
www.nps.gov/grsa
2 ALAMOSA WILDLIFE REFUGE — Alamosa National
Wildlife Refuge, located a few miles east of Alamosa off
Highway 160, is a haven for migratory birds and other wildlife.
This 11,169-acre refuge supports songbirds, water birds,
raptors, mule deer, beaver and coyotes. A two-mile round trip
hiking trail begins at the Visitor’s Center and follows the Rio
Grande. The Bluff Overlook on the eastern side of the refuge
may be reached by car and provides a three and a half-mile
auto tour.
3 ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY — Since its cornerstone
was laid in 1923, Adams State University grew from a teachers’
college into a fine liberal arts university. Adams State University
offers bachelor and master’s degrees in a multitude of majors and
now offers a doctoral program as well. The campus features a new
stadium complex and many other recent physical improvements.
View more at www.adams.edu. In addition, check out numerous
opportunities for youngsters and high school student-athletes
to attend sports camps at ASC by calling 587-7401 or going to
ascgrizzlies.com
ASU is celebrating 100 years in 2021.
4 TRAILS AND HISTORIC MONUMENTS — The
Alamosa Ranch offers numerous trails featuring opportunities
to see wildlife and historic markers for Wayside, the stagecoach
stop forerunner of Alamosa and the site where Amelia Earhart
landed in a meadow. Trail guides are available at the Colorado
Welcome Center at the train depot in Alamosa.
5 LUTHER BEAN MUSEUM — Located on the Adams State
University campus in Richardson Hall, this museum features
the Woodard Collection of artifacts from around the world and
Native American and Hispanic works of art. Call 587-7151 for
more information. Adams State College campus also hosts the
San Luis Valley Japanese-American Memorial Garden.
6 ALAMOSA ROUND-UP — The 2021 Alamosa Round-
Up, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association
(PRCA), is scheduled from August 26-29 with most events at
the Alamosa fairgrounds. Events include ranch rodeo, barbecue,
mutton bustin, cattle drive and parade, PRCA rodeo, rodeo block
party, demolition derby and cowboy church. The highlight will be
Saturday with a round-UP Concert featuring Chancey Williams and
the Younger Brothers Band. Buy tickets at The Colorado Welcome
Center and Alamosa Big R. See www.alamosaroundup.com
7 BEAT THE HEAT BBQ — One of the newest events
in Alamosa County, in its seventh year, is the annual San
Luis Valley Beat the Heat BBQ, a sanctioned Kansas City
Barbecue Society and Rocky Mountain Barbecue Association
State Championship event. It is scheduled for Aug. 6-7. Enjoy
barbecue, live music, cornhole tournament, children’s activities
and more. Contact the Alamosa County Chamber of Commerce
at 589-3681, e-mail chambergrowthdirector@gmail.com or see
www.slvbeattheheat.com.
8 ALAMOSA ART WALK AND DOWNTOWN SCULP-
TURES — Take a walk through
downtown Alamosa and see
artists of various different two
and three-dimensional mediums
creating one-of-a-kind
work, much of which will be
displayed for a tour downtown.
An annual celebration featuring
local musicians and performers
will also take place at Society
Hall. Info: www.cityofalamosa.org/public-art
and www.
societyhall.org
9 COLORADO GATORS — Featuring more than 400
gators and other exotic species, Colorado Gators is one of
the most unique attractions in the entire Valley. It is located
north of Alamosa between Mosca and Hooper on Highway
17. Events include gator wrestling, Eggfest in early July and
the Annual Gatorfest in early August. Phone (719) 378-2612
for more information, or see gatorfarm.com
10 ZAPATA FALLS — Zapata Falls BLM Recreation Area
Zapata Falls, a wonder of nature, is located four miles east of
Colorado Highway 150, just south of the entrance to Great
Sand Dunes National Park. From the parking and picnic area
it is about a half mile walk uphill to the falls. The Zapata Falls
Campground provides campsites. A trailhead in the campground
supplies a link to the South Zapata Creek Trail and the Sangre
de Cristo Wilderness. A second trail, just above the campground
in the day-use area, leads visitors on a mildly steep half-mile
hike to the falls that give the campground its name.