Zapata Falls: a short hike, a rough road, and slick rocks

Zapata Falls sits in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, just south of the Great Sand Dunes, on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It is a popular short outing with a big view of the San Luis Valley, but it asks a little more of visitors than the parking lot suggests.

First, the road. The turnoff is an unpaved gravel road that climbs toward the falls, and it is rough enough that the drive is part of the trip. Conditions change with weather, so it is worth checking before you go and taking it slow.

Second, the hike. From the trailhead it is a short but steep half-mile or so to the falls. The catch is the last stretch: to actually see the waterfall, you have to wade up a narrow rock gorge and pick your way over wet, slippery rocks in the stream. Sturdy shoes that can get wet help a lot, and small children need close watching. In winter the falls freeze into a column of ice that draws experienced ice climbers, which is a very different and more serious activity.

The view from the trailhead alone, out across the valley to the dunes, is worth the drive. For current road and trail conditions, check the Bureau of Land Management page for the Zapata Falls area, the agency that manages it.