Great Sand Dunes National Park Glamping: Rustic Rook Resort
There’s something special about camping in the great outdoors. The fresh air, the sounds of nature, and the feeling of being one with nature are all things that make camping such a unique experience. If you’re looking for a new and exciting way to experience camping, I recommend glamping at Rustic Rook Resort!
Located near Great Sand Dunes National Park, Rustic Rook offers a truly unique glamping experience. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel like you’re in a different world, far away from the cares of everyday life.
What are the accommodations like at Rustic Rook?
The accommodations at Rustic Rook are nothing short of luxurious. You’ll enjoy comfortable beds, wood stoves, nightstands, seating chairs, and private porch areas.
Some of the tents even have showers and toilets! If you need more space, you can even get a teepee set up next to your tent.
The tents are sturdy and keep out the wind and rain. You are provided with bedside fans to keep the air circulating if you need to, and also there are zippable windows.
Is there electricity in the tents?
There is no electricity in the tents, but you won’t miss it at all! When we checked in we were given 2 very bright lanterns as well as 2 portable chargers that had USB ports for the bedside fans, and our cell phones.
What are the bathrooms like at Rustic Rook?
I know what you’re thinking, and no, you don’t have to walk into the wilderness and dig a hole to go to the bathroom. You have 2 options for bathrooms when glamping at Rustic Rook.
- Book a tent that has a bathroom and shower inside. You’ll have private access to a flushable toilet, sink, and shower at any time.
- Use the shared bathroom area. There are 2 portable trailers that have a total of 5 private bathrooms. In each room, there is a lockable door, a shower, a flushable toilet, a sink, and a mirror. We used these. They were always clean, and we never had to wait. They are a short walk from all of the tents.
What is there to do at Rustic Rook?
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Zapata Falls are both very close, so you can easily spend your days there. But, if you want to have a nonpark day, that’s ok too! With plenty of activities on-site, you’ll never run out of things to do.
• Volleyball Net – Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, the volleyball net is always a blast to play on. Make some new friends and challenge them to a game!
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• Playground – Bring your little ones to the playground and let them have some fun! They’ll love exploring all the different features.
• Horseshoes and Cornhole – These classic games are always a hit when playing with friends. See who can dominate at each game!
• Bonfire Nights – Every night, the staff starts a bonfire where everyone can gather around and hang out. Smores ingredients are offered for free as well as sticks to cook your smores. Some nights you’ll even be treated to live music around the campfire.
Food Options at Rustic Rook
Every morning, you are treated to complimentary breakfast burritos made by a local store. When I tell you these burritos are the BOMB, I’m not exaggerating. I’m drooling just thinking about them. So good!
There is also coffee available, yay! You can get water at any time too.
You can bring your own food to eat (just be sure not to bring food into the tents!)
There are barbeques available for use near the campfire area.
If you don’t feel like bringing a bunch of food, that’s ok too! You are able to pre-order dinners and lunches before you arrive at the resort.
You can order steak and potatoes, chicken and potatoes or hamburgers. We ordered the hamburgers, and they were so good!
You get a packet with everything you need (seasoning, spatula, condiments, plates, and napkins), and then you can cook your meal at the BBQs. There are picnic tables to sit at and eat.
You can also order lunches to take with you when you head to Great Sand Dunes National Park. The wraps were gigantic and came with water, chips, and a cookie. The convenience of having everything provided was so great.
Other things to know about Rustic Rook Resort
You’ll never be alone or without help. The staff stays on the property and there is a phone number you can call if you need anything at night.
You are provided a fire starter, matches, kindling, and firewood for each night of your stay. We purchased one additional bundle of wood each night and had enough to keep our fire going all through the night, and into the morning.
In the main building of the resort, you can purchase sunscreen, bug repellent, t-shirts, and hats. This is also where you check in and out and have breakfast in the morning.
You can rent sandboards right from Rustic Rook to use to sled down the dunes. It is so convenient to just grab your board and wax here, and not have to wait in line and make an additional stop at the other places near the park.
There is a parking area for your vehicle, that is not near the tents. I love this because then headlights aren’t driving past your tent at night. There are wagons available to help carry your luggage to your tent.
The resort is open seasonally. They close each year in October and open back up in the spring.
Sunrise and sunset are incredible here! Try and catch both if you can! Be sure to enjoy the dark night skies and stargaze at a million twinkling stars far away from light pollution.
Rustic Rook Resort Honest Review
We stayed two nights at Rustic Rook in late September 2022. When I was planning our trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park, I came across their website, and knew instantly we needed to try it!
I love intimate resorts that are locally owned. I loved the cozy nature of Rustic Rook, and was excited to experience it.
The booking process was simple, and I was sent an informational email shortly after. I had a few questions, and they were answered quickly, and politely. When it was closer to our stay, they reached out again and provided more information and the ability to pre-order meals.
When we drove down the long road to reach the resort, I could barely contain my excitement! We pulled into the parking area and headed straight for the main office to check-in.
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We were greeted instantly with warm smiles and genuine conversation. We immediately felt welcome and at home. They gave us all of the information we needed to get settled into our tent.
We unpacked and then headed back to grab our dinner. Like I said earlier, we had the hamburgers and they were great. We had gotten there late in the evening so we didn’t have a lot of time to explore.
We sat around the campfire for a bit and enjoyed getting to know some of the other guests and eating a few yummy smores.
When it was time for bed, we headed to our tent. We sat on the porch for a while watching the stars and even saw the milky way over our tent.
We were able to build a fire, and it kept us cozy all night long. I loved listening to an owl hooting during the night.
The bed is super comfy with great pillows and enough blankets to keep us warm.
The next morning, we went and grabbed a burrito for breakfast. The staff asked us what our plans were, and then gave us tips and other ideas of things to do. Im so glad they told us about Zapata Falls! It was the highlight of the day for me.
After our park adventures, we got back to the resort with plenty of daylight to enjoy the property. We played cornhole and chatted with the staff. That night, we enjoyed the campfire again and got a great night’s sleep.
Check-out is super easy, just return your chargers and lanterns and pack up your stuff.
We stayed near the end of their season, in late September. The weather was beautiful! Fall is a great time to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Is Rustic Rook Worth it?
YES! I would stay here again, and again, and again. We truly enjoyed our time so much.
If you’re looking for a unique and intimate Glamping experience near Great Sand Dunes National Park, Rustic Rook Resort is the perfect place to stay.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted with warm smiles and feel right at home. The staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the area and will be more than happy to give you tips on things to do during your visit.
The accommodations are clean and comfortable, and come complete with everything you need – from cozy bedding to chargers/lanterns for use during your stay. And if that’s not enough, the setting is simply beautiful. It’s easy to relax and forget all your troubles.
So whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an adventure-filled family vacation near Great Sand Dunes National Park, Rustic Rook Resort should definitely be at the top of your list!
