Getting here
Kosmos sits at 7,600 feet in Mosca, Colorado, 18 minutes from the entrance of Great Sand Dunes National Park. We're remote on purpose. Tell us where you're starting, and this page plans the rest.
5290 Rd 113 N, Mosca, CO 81146 · GPS 37.652671, -105.786038
Pick one and we'll show your drive time, your route and the stops along it.
Your arrival in five steps
1 Time it
The last stretch to Kosmos is unlit, which is exactly why the sky is this dark. Plan to arrive in daylight on your first night. Pick your date and we'll work out when to set off.
Check-in opens at 4:00 PM. Mountain passes add time in winter, so check COtrip.org before you go. Times are estimates.
Denver Air Connection flies nonstop between Denver (DEN) and San Luis Valley Regional Airport in Alamosa. Larger airports with more flights: Denver, Colorado Springs (COS) and Albuquerque (ABQ).
Quest Rental Car is the only rental car company at Alamosa's airport, so reserve ahead. An airport shuttle is also available with a qualifying package when arranged in advance.
Shop for groceries in Alamosa on the way. It's the last full stop before the villa.
2 Drive in
Every road into the San Luis Valley crosses a mountain pass. Choose a route to see what's along it, and save the stops you'd like to make. Your list appears at the bottom.
US-285 south → CO-17 south · about 3.5–4 hours from Denver · highest point Red Hill Pass, 10,051 ft
The first big view across South Park.
Lunch and fuel along the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway and the Arkansas River.
The gateway into the San Luis Valley. CO-17 runs south from here.
A roadside original on CO-17, open seven days.
A geothermal pool kept around 98°F. Bring a swimsuit.
A reptile rescue minutes from Kosmos.
Navigate to our pinned location for the final miles.
I-25 south to Walsenburg → US-160 west → CO-150 north · from Denver, Colorado Springs or Pueblo · highest point North La Veta Pass, 9,413 ft
A scenic byway detour (CO-12) beneath the Spanish Peaks.
Snow can close this pass in winter. Check before you leave.
The 1858 fort once commanded by Kit Carson. Seasonal hours.
A 25-foot waterfall up a gravel road off CO-150.
The tallest dunes in North America, at the end of CO-150.
18 minutes from the park entrance. Use our pinned location.
US-50 west via Cañon City and Salida → US-285 over Poncha Pass (9,010 ft) → CO-17 south
Free red-rock walks before you leave town.
956 feet above the Arkansas River.
A historic downtown and the last large town before the valley.
Both sit on CO-17 on the way south.
Use our pinned location for the final miles.
US-285 north via Tres Piedras and Antonito, or NM-522 from Taos via Questa to San Luis · about 4 hours from Albuquerque to Alamosa
About 600 feet above the river.
A narrow-gauge steam railway. Seasonal.
Walk up to the Shrine of the Stations of the Cross.
About 25 minutes beyond Alamosa.
Alamosa airport (ALS) → Kosmos · 22–25 minutes
The only rental car company at ALS. Reserve before you fly.
The last full grocery stores before the villa. See step 3.
Use our pinned location for the final miles.
Nothing saved yet. Tap “+ Save stop” on any stop above.
Hours at museums, parks and attractions change by season. Check before you go.
The National Park Service warns that mapping apps have sent drivers onto hiking trails and primitive four-wheel-drive roads. Stay on US-285, US-160, CO-17 and CO-150.
Snow can close mountain passes between fall and spring. Check COtrip.org or dial 511 in Colorado.
Live road conditions →Elk and mule deer cross US-160 east of Fort Garland, especially at dawn and dusk.
3 Stock up
There's no restaurant or store at Kosmos. Alamosa, 25 minutes from your villa, has the last full grocery stores. Tick things off as you go. Your list stays saved on this device.
Rather not cook? Add local restaurant delivery to your stay, or ask about meals from our local partner, before you arrive.
You're ready for the valley. See you under a Bortle Class 2 sky.
4 Your kitchen
Every Stargazing Villa kitchen has the same equipment. Plan your shopping around it.
We'll tell you which appliance to use, or whether to plan something else.
The kitchen inside the living dome of a Stargazing Villa.
5 Arrive
We'll welcome you in person or set you up for self check-in, depending on when you arrive and what you prefer.
Switch your phone or flashlight to red light and point it at the ground. It keeps the sky dark for everyone.
If you checked yourself in, we'll offer a villa walk-through. Check-out is 11:00 AM on your last day.
More on power, water and heating in our Pre-Arrival Guide.
Questions
About 18 minutes (16.2 miles) to the park entrance and about 30 minutes to the visitor center.
San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS) in Alamosa, 22–25 minutes away. Denver Air Connection flies nonstop between Denver and Alamosa. Larger airports are Colorado Springs (about 2.5 hours) and Denver (3.5–4 hours).
Yes. Quest Rental Car is the only rental car company at the airport, so reserve ahead. An airport shuttle is also available with a qualifying package when arranged in advance.
No. Shop for groceries in Alamosa, 25 minutes away, or add local restaurant delivery to your stay.
There is no full-size oven. Each villa kitchen has a combination microwave oven, an induction cooktop, an air fryer, a toaster, a coffee maker, a refrigerator and cookware.
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM. Plan to arrive before dark, since the last stretch of road is unlit.
Every villa has Wi-Fi. Cell service varies by provider, so save your route offline before the drive.
Your stay
Colorado's first DarkSky Approved Lodging property, from $700 a night plus 11.9% lodging tax.
