Guidebook for Crestone
Sightseeing
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Gorgeous national wilderness park
The internet is confusing about this site. This is not in Westcliffe...it is in Crestone. See more here:
http://www.kttg.org/
You can park at the creek and take a nice walk about 30 minutes on the access road, or you can drive all the way up. Go out Baca Grande until it turns to a dirt road, past all the spiritual centers, past Shumei, and then park just before the creek. There are a few unofficial parking spots there. Take water and a hat if it's sunny. There are 3 retreat cabins on the way up, with people doing silent meditation retreat, so please respect the silence and if you see people be aware that they may be observing silence.
15 locals recommend
Tashi Gomang Stupa
The internet is confusing about this site. This is not in Westcliffe...it is in Crestone. See more here:
http://www.kttg.org/
You can park at the creek and take a nice walk about 30 minutes on the access road, or you can drive all the way up. Go out Baca Grande until it turns to a dirt road, past all the spiritual centers, past Shumei, and then park just before the creek. There are a few unofficial parking spots there. Take water and a hat if it's sunny. There are 3 retreat cabins on the way up, with people doing silent meditation retreat, so please respect the silence and if you see people be aware that they may be observing silence.
Historic town just across the valley. This place is constantly evolving, but last time I was there, I found an art gallery, a new coffee shop in an old house, and an old movie theatre. There are a couple cute boutiques and an iconic diner where you can eat homemade pie.
8 locals recommend
Saguache
Historic town just across the valley. This place is constantly evolving, but last time I was there, I found an art gallery, a new coffee shop in an old house, and an old movie theatre. There are a couple cute boutiques and an iconic diner where you can eat homemade pie.
Drinks & Nightlife
Crestone Brewing Co
187 W Silver AveParks & Nature
This is where you find the trailhead to my favorite local hike--North Crestone Creek Trail. About an hour in you arrive at the Sangre de Cristo wilderness boundary. However--please check timing as the forest service closes the entry gate around Memorial Day and Labor day. It's only open in summer.
7 locals recommend
North Crestone Creek Campground
This is where you find the trailhead to my favorite local hike--North Crestone Creek Trail. About an hour in you arrive at the Sangre de Cristo wilderness boundary. However--please check timing as the forest service closes the entry gate around Memorial Day and Labor day. It's only open in summer.
Clothing optional natural hotsprings in gorgeous mountain-side setting. Hiking, camping, sometimes there are events with astronomers, live music, picnics.
49 locals recommend
Valley View Hot Springs
64393 County Road GGClothing optional natural hotsprings in gorgeous mountain-side setting. Hiking, camping, sometimes there are events with astronomers, live music, picnics.
Hot naturally sourced outdoor swimming pool with views of the Sangre de Cristos! It's beautiful. You can actually swim laps. Then, (for an extra $5) go into the greenhouse where there are numerous hot tubs and a bar and snack bar. You can easily spend the whole day here.
83 locals recommend
Sand Dunes Swimming Pool & RV Park
1991 Co Rd 63Hot naturally sourced outdoor swimming pool with views of the Sangre de Cristos! It's beautiful. You can actually swim laps. Then, (for an extra $5) go into the greenhouse where there are numerous hot tubs and a bar and snack bar. You can easily spend the whole day here.
Peaceful, low key hotsprings. It is only 3 hot pools, but very quiet and there is a great spa here so if you want massage or facials they have excellent services. Great way to spend a day or evening unwinding.
74 locals recommend
Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa
28640 County Rd 58EEPeaceful, low key hotsprings. It is only 3 hot pools, but very quiet and there is a great spa here so if you want massage or facials they have excellent services. Great way to spend a day or evening unwinding.
Very nice short hike right in the Baca. Park at Willow Park (at the corner of Baca Grande and Camino Real) and walk down hill. Trail meets up with the creek and goes through some beautiful forest as well.
East Willow Trail
East Willow TrailVery nice short hike right in the Baca. Park at Willow Park (at the corner of Baca Grande and Camino Real) and walk down hill. Trail meets up with the creek and goes through some beautiful forest as well.
Getting Around
Express Arrow
101 11th AveEverything Else
Vajra Vidya Retreat Center
3203 Camino Baca GrandeEssentials
There is also a cafe here, sometimes they have live music
46 locals recommend
Elephant Cloud Market The Cloud Station
200 Cottonwood StThere is also a cafe here, sometimes they have live music
Another grocery store, with a hardware store across the street. For random essentials.
37 locals recommend
Crestone Mercantile
182 E Galena AveAnother grocery store, with a hardware store across the street. For random essentials.
Get a local newspaper --The Crestone Eagle-- at Elephant Cloud entrance--it's a dollar and has all you need to know about Crestone.
The Crestone Eagle
180 W Galena AveGet a local newspaper --The Crestone Eagle-- at Elephant Cloud entrance--it's a dollar and has all you need to know about Crestone.
Arts & Culture
Crestone Artisans Gallery
120 Cottonwood StCrestone Mountain Zen Center
2000 East DreamwayZen center--sometimes open for sitting
This is a fascinating place for arts--they have a gallery that changes every few months, sometimes they have artist talks on Sundays at 3. You can visit the gallery. They also offer free "Jo Rei" sessions, a form of hands-off healing.
14 locals recommend
Shumei International Institute
3000 Dream WayThis is a fascinating place for arts--they have a gallery that changes every few months, sometimes they have artist talks on Sundays at 3. You can visit the gallery. They also offer free "Jo Rei" sessions, a form of hands-off healing.