1965 Map of Zapata Ranch

About this map

The Great Sand Dunes National Monument dominates the northern half of this landscape, where shifting dunes meet the western slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Along the base of these mountains, the historic Zapata Ranch and the small settlement of Zapata sit near the transition to the Rio Grande National Forest. This mid-1960s survey captures the infrastructure of the monument during a period of established tourism, showing the Entrance Station, Visitor Center, and Pinyon Flats Campground. Hydrology is central to the area's character, with numerous drainages like Mosca Creek and North Zapata Creek flowing toward the valley floor, while a series of flowing wells and a small Cem reflect the ranching and local history of Alamosa County. The rugged eastern terrain is marked by high-altitude features such as Middle Zapata Creek Lake and the prominent Sheep Ridge.