Base Camp Family Campground is proudly operated by the Baker Family. Josh Baker first lived in Southern Colorado as a child in the early ’90s, but his family moved away shortly after. His love for the region drew him back as an adult, bringing his own family to Colorado for vacations. In 2014, they purchased land in the valley, and in 2020, they relocated permanently. Drawing on years of RV adventures, the Bakers continue the park’s mission of offering a clean, affordable, spacious, and well-run camping experience, serving as a central “base camp” and hub for everything this unique area has to offer.
Camping On Sacred Ground
From the moment you enter the valley, you’ll feel the magic of this place. You’ll be camping on Native American sacred ground, under the shadow of 14,000-foot peaks in the largest high-desert alpine valley in the world. The valley features free-flowing artesian wells, hot springs, and wetlands. Water rises from aquifers replenished by snowmelt from the surrounding mountains. With 350 days of sunshine each year and less than 8 inches of annual precipitation, mostly in afternoon thunderstorms, the daily summer temperature averages 65 degrees and drops into the 50s at night—ideal conditions for camping. Base Camp Family Campground offers some of the best campsites in the San Luis Valley, making it perfect for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
For native American tribes, including the Utes, Apache, Navajos, and others, this valley is considered the source of life, a place where humans and spirit enter and leave this world. This sipapu, or place of emergence, is believed to be near the sand dunes, in the San Luis Lakes area. The valley was considered so sacred, that no war would be waged here. The tribes would pass each other in peace. Blanca Peak is considered the eastern boundary and doorway into Dinetah, the traditional Navajo homeland. Today, 30 spiritual centers, representing religions from all over the world, are located in the Crestone area at the north end of the valley.
