UFO Watchtower
4.5(903)google
4.2(30)yelp
QuirkyRoad TripScenic LookoutStargazing
Overview
The UFO Watchtower is an observation platform and campground north of Hooper, Colorado in San Luis Valley where tales of UFO sightings have been reported. Cattle farmer Judy Messoline converted her barn into a tourist attraction in 2000 when she was facing financial troubles. Messoline relies on donations and sales of alien themed merchandise to fund the attraction.
Practical Info
Every day10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimeYear-round accessibility, but completely defined by the night sky. The undisputed prime hours to visit are between 10:00 PM and 3:00 AM. Standing on the elevated steel viewing platform in the middle of the pitch-black San Luis Valley high-desert plain under a sky bursting with shooting stars and satellites brings the sci-fi atmosphere to its absolute peak.
Getting ThereDeep in the desert flats north of Alamosa at 2502 CO-17. Driving is the only method; from downtown Alamosa, take state highway CO-17 N straight north for approximately 20 miles across the barren high plain. The quirky watchtower dome and large yellow alien signs will appear prominently on your left; pull directly onto the dirt shoulder into the unpaved lot.
Travel Tips
- The high-altitude alpine desert offers zero natural shade coverage, making high-SPF protection essential; pack $5 physical US dollar cash notes to clear the observation tower maintenance tier.
- Perched off State Highway 17 in the San Luis Valley, nightfall triggers severe, rapid temperature drops; pack heavy polar-grade insulating coats if tracking midnight stargazing or cosmic anomalies.
- The mystical Healing Garden allows dropping small personal trinkets or energy stones, but the surrounding ecology harbors active desert cacti; never deviate into unverified brush lines to bypass spike injuries.
Reviews
Positive
- This is an incredibly quirky, eccentric, and mysterious offbeat attraction, with a watchtower offering 360-degree views of San Luis Valley.
- The 'Healing Garden' is filled with bizarre trinkets and toys left by visitors, making the overall atmosphere highly interactive and photo-worthy.
- The owner, Judy, is wonderfully warm and witty, sharing decades of local UFO sighting stories that add immense narrative fun to the visit.
- Admission is incredibly cheap (just a few bucks) and allows low-cost camping under the stars, offering massive value for sci-fi and quirky culture fans.
Heads up
- It is essentially a rudimentary, handmade yard and short wooden platform with zero high-tech gear; non-believers might find it a total gimmick.
- The facilities are extremely primitive; restrooms are limited to porta-potties, and there are no proper accessible pathways or indoor lounges.
- Set in the remote Mosca desert, it gets intensely dusty. Making a dedicated trip just for this—unless you're already passing through—is impractical.
- Surrounded completely by open desert terrain, there is no sun protection or shade during the day, and seasonal bugs can be fiercely aggressive.