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San-Luis-Valley
is the world's largest alpine valley, located in southern Colorado atop the Rio Grande Rift in the San Juan Mountains. It covers approximately 8,000 square miles, is 122 miles long and 74 miles wide. The average altitude is 7,500 feet. Attractions in the San Luis Valley include the Great Sand Dunes National Park, several national wildlife refuges, the spectacular fishing waters of the Rio Grande River and the Penitente Canyon, and many natural hot springs. The San Luis Valley is a broad, generally flat valley, with no clear boundaries. It includes the San Luis Hills of southern Colorado and the Taos Plateau of northern new Mexico. The valley is bounded on the east by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and on the west by the San Juan Mountains. Some of the towns located in San Luis Valley are Alamosa, Monte Vista, Del Norte, Fort Garland, San Luis, Crestone, Hooper, Mosca and San Acacio. One of the most famous features of the valley is the Great Sand Dunes, which is a National Park and Preserve. Several archeological sites are located within the Great Sand Dunes. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a historic, narrow-gauge railroad that runs between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico in the valley. Steam locomotives take tourists on a six-hour trip between the two towns, climbing over the 10,000-foot elevation Cumbres Pass. The Cumbres & Toltec is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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San Luis Valley Vacation Rentals
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San Luis Valley Hotels and Resorts
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| | | Hotels & Motels |
| Comfort Inn | 315 E Rainbow-us Hwy 50 | Salida, CO | | (719) 539-5000 | | Econo Lodge | 1310 E Hwy 50 | Salida, CO | | (719) 539-2895 | | Holiday Inn Express | 7400 W US Hwy 50 | Salida, CO | | (719) 539-8500 | | Rainbow Inn | 105 E Hwy 50 | Salida, CO | | (719) 539-4444 | | Salida Super 8 | 525 W Rainbow Blvd | Salida, CO | | (719) 539-6689 | | Woodland Motel And Residence Inn | 903 W 1ST | Salida, CO | | (719) 539-4980 | | Lazy J Resort & Rafting Company Inc | 16373 Hwy 50 | Coaldale, CO | 17.5 mi. | (800) 678-4274 | | Best Western Vista Inn | 733 Hwy 24 N | Buena Vista, CO | 22.4 mi. | (719) 395-8009 | | Super 8 Motel | 530 N U S Hwy 24 | Buena Vista, CO | 22.4 mi. | (719) 395-8888 |
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San Luis Valley Weather & Climate
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Central Colorado has a more complex climate than most states in the United States. Even places a few miles apart can experience entirely different weather depending on the topography of the area. The valleys are classified as a semi-arid, continental climate, which becomes a mountain or alpine climate at higher elevations. Humid microclimates may also exist in some places. Abundant sunshine and low humidity is typical in all areas. Summers are mild to warm, and thunderstorms can cause a sudden drop in temperature. Winters are cold and snowy, especially in the higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains. Solar radiation penetrates the thin atmosphere high in the mountains, which results in very pleasant temperatures during the winter. This is why skiers are often pictured in very light clothing, even though they're surrounded by snow.
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| Month |
High Temp |
Low Temp |
Rainfall |
Ocean Temp |
| January |
41°F |
11°F |
0.14 in. |
- |
| February |
45°F |
14°F |
0.22 in. |
- |
| March |
50°F |
21°F |
0.61 in. |
- |
| April |
57°F |
27°F |
0.71 in. |
- |
| May |
67°F |
35°F |
1.04 in. |
- |
| June |
78°F |
43°F |
0.80 in. |
- |
| July |
83°F |
48°F |
1.26 in. |
- |
| August |
80°F |
47°F |
1.55 in. |
- |
| September |
74°F |
39°F |
0.86 in. |
- |
| October |
63°F |
28°F |
0.85 in. |
- |
| November |
49°F |
20°F |
0.33 in. |
- |
| December |
41°F |
12°F |
0.28 in. |
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San Luis Valley Map & Transportation
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| Click each thumbnail image to enlarge. |
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The closest airports in the area are Harriet Alexander Field (0V2) located about 2 miles west of San Luis Valley in Salida, Colorado, the Central Colorado Regional airport (7V1) located approximately 20 miles northwest of San Luis Valley in Buena Vista, Colorado, the Silver West airport (C08) located roughly 49 miles southeast of San Luis Valley in Westcliffe, Colorado, the Gunnison Crested Butte Regional airport (GUC) located around 50 miles west of San Luis Valley in Gunnison, Colorado, the Leach airport (1V8) located about 51 miles south of San Luis Valley in Center, Colorado, Aspen Pitkin County Sardy Field (ASE) located approximately 66 miles northwest of San Luis Valley in Aspen, Colorado, and finally the City Of Colorado Springs Municipal airport (COS) located roughly 72 miles east of San Luis Valley in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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San Luis Valley Attractions
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| | | Amusement and Theme Parks |
| Santa's Workshop | Cascade | CO | 60.8 mi. | |
| | | Water Parks |
| Hyland Hills Water World | Federal Heights | CO | 105.6 mi. | |
| | | Golf Courses |
| Collegiate Peaks Golf Course | Buena Vista | CO | 22.3 mi. | |
| | | Ski Areas |
| Ski Cooper | Leadville | CO | 51.9 mi. | | | Crested Butte | Crested Butte | CO | 58.1 mi. | | | Aspen | Aspen | CO | 63.2 mi. | | | Aspen Highlands | Aspen | CO | 63.2 mi. | | | Snowmass | Aspen | CO | 63.2 mi. | | | Tiehack | Aspen | CO | 63.2 mi. | | | Breckenridge Ski Resort | Breckenridge | CO | 65.5 mi. | | | Beaver Creek | Vail | CO | 79.0 mi. | | | Vail | Vail | CO | 79.0 mi. | | | Loveland | Georgetown | CO | 82.5 mi. | | | Winter Park | Winter Park | CO | 94.6 mi. | | | Sunlight Mountain Resort | Glenwood Springs | CO | 99.9 mi. | | | Telluride | Telluride | CO | 106.7 mi. | |
| | | Museums |
| Monarch Art Gallery | Victor | CO | 48.0 mi. | (Art) | | Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center | Woodland Park | CO | 59.9 mi. | (History) |
| | | Zoos and Aquariums |
| Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Park | Colorado Springs | CO | 66.8 mi. | | | Pueblo Zoo | Pueblo | CO | 77.7 mi. | | | Denver Zoological Gardens | Denver | CO | 99.4 mi. | |
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Disclaimer: We recommend you conduct your own research regarding all accomodations and attractions found on this website. The distances shown on this website are straight-line distances as the crow flies. The road distance may be considerably longer. You assume all liability for use of any information found on this website. No information is confirmed or warranted in any way. By using our services you agree to the terms and conditions of this disclaimer.
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