Just outside Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, a quirky and otherworldly roadside attraction is drawing curious travelers and extraterrestrial enthusiasts alike. Welcome to the UFO Watchtower in Alamosa—a low-key yet legendary stopoff along Colorado State Highway 17, just 30 minutes from the entrance to the park. While it may not be much to look at from the outside, it’s a hotspot for UFO sightings, conspiracy chatter, and midnight sky gazing, located in one of Colorado’s official dark sky zones.
The tower itself is modest in height, but what it lacks in elevation it makes up for in character. Guests can explore the gift shop, poke around the on-site museum, wander the “vortex gardens” where visitors leave behind everything from personal trinkets to offerings for aliens, and even check out “Snippy the Horse”—a mysterious animal connected to alleged extraterrestrial events. Admission is just $5 (kids under 6 are free), and for the brave-hearted, overnight camping is available for $20—no reservation needed.
Founded to keep an eye out for alien activity, the site has become a beloved oddity for roadtrippers heading to or from the Great Sand Dunes. The National Park is a stunning contrast to the watchtower’s surreal vibes, with Sahara-like sand dunes stretching beneath the dramatic Sangre de Cristo mountains. Visitors can sandboard or sand sled down the dunes, splash through Medano Creek, and camp at the Piñon Flats Campground, which includes bathrooms and summer showers.
Nearby Alamosa offers glamping at places like Rustic Rook Resort, traditional campsites, and access to sandboard rentals. Whether you’re here for the starry skies, alien folklore, or just a great story to tell, this corner of Colorado promises a mix of mystery, landscape, and unforgettable roadside weirdness.
