Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
This 11,168-acre refuge is located 3 miles east of Alamosa on U.S. Hwy 160, then 2 miles south on El Rancho Lane. Ducks, geese and shorebirds nest on the marshes. Bald eagles are common November to March. Walking trails, auto tour route, and Bluff Overlook provide wildlife viewing displays. Refuge open daily dawn-dusk. Visitor center open Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-4pm; closed holidays. Free. Phone (719) 589-4021.

Art Galleries
The Alamosa area has a number of excellent art galleries exhibiting the works of local artists, sculptors, jewelers, potters, photographers, and goldsmiths.

San Luis Valley Alligator Farm
Located 17 miles north of Alamosa on State Hwy 17 between Mosa and Hooper. Features alligators lolling in the Colorado sun with snowcapped mountain peaks in the background. The unusual nation of this farm grew out of a need to keep the fish hatchery at the site clean of fish remains. The 87 degree Fahrenheit thermal waters of the artesian well allow the alligators to thrive in the otherwise inhospitable Colorado climate. Allow 30 minutes minimum. Daily 7am-7pm, June 1-Labor Day; winter hours are 9am. to 5pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 6 to 12 years old, 5 and under is free. Phone (719) 378-2612.

Splashland Hot Springs
Located one mile North of Alamosa on State Hwy 17. This geothermal outdoor public swimming pool facility is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hours are M, T, Th, F: 10am to 6:30pm, and Sat. & Sun.: Noon to 9pm. Phone (719) 589-6307.

Rio Grande National Forest
Alamosa is a gateway to the 1,851,792-acre Rio Grande National Forest that surrounds the San Luis Valley. The headwaters of the Rio Grande River begin in this  national forest characterized by mountain waterways and rugged high country.  Recreation opportunities within the Rio Grande National Forest are many. Visitors can enjoy easy access to hiking, mountain biking, road biking, camping, picnicking, four-wheel driving, horseback riding and more. Many visitors enjoy downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and backcountry touring during the winter.

Great Sand Dunes National Park
The 38,000-acre Great Sand Dunes National Park is 38 miles northeast of Alamosa via U.S. Hwy 160 and State Hwy 150. Too heavy to rise with the winds that carry it northeastward across the flat, semiarid floor of the San Luis Valley, sand settles at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Range. The deposits that have accumulated over the course of 15,000 years have resulted in a 39-square-mile, stark yet ever-changing sandscape that forms a vaguely eerie foreground for the rugged mountains. A self-guided nature trail and camping and picnicking facilities are available.

San Luis Lakes State Park
This 2,369-acre state park is located 30 miles north of Alamosa and 15 minutes west of the Great Sand Dunes National Monument on the Los Caminos Antiquos Scenic and Historic Byway. The San Luis Lakes State Park offers Camping, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, picnicking, boating, fishing and great photo opportunities.