Tucked away along Colorado Highway 17 in the small town of Center, the UFO Watchtower is one of the most wonderfully strange roadside stops in the entire American West. Built on the edge of the San Luis Valley — a region famous for mysterious lights, strange livestock incidents, and unexplained sightings — this quirky observation deck invites visitors to look up and wonder.
For just five dollars, you can climb the platform, wander through a sculpture garden filled with alien art, and hear stories that will genuinely make you question what is out there. Whether you are a true believer or just someone who loves a good adventure, the UFO Watchtower delivers an experience unlike anything else in Colorado.
The Watchtower Platform Itself
Standing on the UFO Watchtower platform feels like stepping into another dimension — or at least another era. Perched above the wide-open San Luis Valley, the deck gives you a 360-degree view of some of the most dramatic scenery in Colorado.
Mountains frame the horizon, the sky stretches endlessly, and at night, the stars feel close enough to touch.
Reviewers consistently describe the platform as the highlight of the visit. One guest called it an “incredible” spot with “open skies that are just incredible.” The elevated vantage point makes it easy to scan the skies for anything unusual.
Even if no spacecraft shows up, the views alone are worth the climb. The tower sits in what experts rate as a Bortle Class 2 dark sky location, meaning light pollution is almost nonexistent.
Bring a blanket on a clear night and prepare to be amazed.
The $5 Entry Fee That Makes It All Worth It
Five dollars does not buy much these days, but at the UFO Watchtower, it buys you a full experience that people remember for years. That modest entry fee covers access to the observation platform, the sculpture garden, and the small museum inside the gift shop.
It is one of the best deals on any road trip through southern Colorado.
Multiple visitors have pointed out how refreshing it is to find a fun, genuinely unique attraction that does not drain your wallet. One reviewer summed it up perfectly, saying, “At a $5 cover and easy parking, why would ya pass it up?”
Budget-friendly stops like this one are rare gems on long drives. Whether you are passing through on the way to the Great Sand Dunes or just exploring back roads, dropping five bucks here feels less like an admission fee and more like a small investment in pure joy.
The Alien Sculpture Garden
Wandering through the sculpture garden at the UFO Watchtower is like stumbling into a folk art museum that got abducted and dropped in the desert. Handcrafted figures of aliens, flying saucers, and other otherworldly creatures are scattered across the landscape, each one built with creativity and a serious sense of humor.
Visitors are actually encouraged to leave tokens or offerings in the garden, adding a communal, almost ceremonial feeling to the space. One guest even left a fossilized sea urchin that was millions of years old.
That kind of personal touch makes every visit feel slightly different from the last.
The garden has a raw, homemade charm that no big-budget theme park could replicate. Kids love posing with the figures, and adults tend to slow down and actually look at each piece.
It is weird, wonderful, and completely one of a kind.
Camping Under the Stars
Spending a night at the UFO Watchtower campground might be the most memorable camping experience in all of southern Colorado. Campsites run about $20, and each one comes with a spool table, a fire ring, and a small cooking grate.
The porta-potties are reportedly clean and well-stocked, which is always a welcome bonus.
One camper described lying in the back of a van with the hatch open during a gentle rain, only to wake up and find strange footprints on the windshield. Whether that story gives you chills or makes you laugh, it perfectly captures the vibe of this place.
Another reviewer raved about seeing the full Milky Way stretched across the sky. Because the area sits in a Bortle Class 2 dark sky zone, stargazing here is genuinely extraordinary.
Pack layers, bring snacks, and keep your eyes on the sky all night long.
The Story of Snippy the Horse
Ask the staff at the UFO Watchtower about Snippy the horse, and get ready for one of the most unsettling stories in Colorado history. Back in 1967, a horse named Lady — later nicknamed Snippy — was found dead in the San Luis Valley under deeply strange circumstances.
The animal had been stripped of skin and tissue in ways that veterinarians could not easily explain.
The case became one of the earliest and most famous examples of alleged alien animal mutilation in the United States. Investigators, journalists, and curious travelers have been drawn to the valley ever since.
The museum inside the watchtower gift shop covers this story in detail.
One reviewer said learning about Snippy was genuinely fascinating, calling it something you just do not hear about every day. It adds a layer of real local history to what might otherwise seem like a purely playful roadside stop.
The story sticks with you.
The Gift Shop and Small Museum
Housed inside what one reviewer described as a “fieldstone geodesic cube,” the gift shop at the UFO Watchtower is small but packed with personality. Shelves hold alien-themed souvenirs, books about UFO sightings, and other cosmic curiosities that make for great conversation-starter gifts back home.
The museum portion of the building offers real historical context about the San Luis Valley and its long association with unexplained phenomena. Displays cover local sighting reports, the Snippy case, and the broader history of UFO activity in the region.
One visitor recommended pairing the museum visit with a specific podcast episode about the Great Sand Dunes to get the full picture.
Staff members have consistently been praised in reviews for being knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely enthusiastic about the subject matter. Talking to them often turns out to be the most memorable part of the stop.
Budget a little extra time to browse and chat.
The San Luis Valley UFO Hotspot
The San Luis Valley has one of the most active UFO sighting histories of any region in the entire country. Stretching across southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, this high-altitude desert basin has been the site of hundreds of reported sightings over the decades.
Locals, campers, and passing travelers have all reported strange lights, unusual craft, and unexplained sounds.
The UFO Watchtower was built right in the heart of this activity zone, which is no accident. Founder Judy Messoline chose the location specifically because of its reputation.
The flat, open terrain and minimal light pollution make it easier to spot anything unusual moving through the sky.
Whether or not you believe in extraterrestrial visitors, the valley itself has an undeniable energy. Visitors frequently describe feeling something different about this place — a stillness, a sense of vastness, and an awareness that the universe is much bigger than everyday life suggests.
The Vortex Energy Spots
Here is something you probably did not expect: the grounds of the UFO Watchtower are said to contain two energy vortexes. A psychic identified these spots years ago, and they have since become a point of fascination for visitors who are drawn to metaphysical experiences as much as alien sightings.
The vortexes are marked on the property, and some guests say they can physically feel a difference when standing in those areas. One returning visitor wrote that the vortex “seemed so active” during their second visit, years after their first.
Whether that is energy, imagination, or something else entirely is up to you to decide.
Even skeptics tend to find the concept entertaining. It adds another layer to an already layered destination — part alien outpost, part spiritual landmark, part roadside novelty.
The UFO Watchtower manages to be all of these things at once without feeling forced or fake.
Location Near the Great Sand Dunes
One of the smartest things about stopping at the UFO Watchtower is how perfectly it fits into a larger Colorado road trip. The attraction sits just a short drive from the Great Sand Dunes National Park, one of the most visually stunning places in the entire state.
Combining both stops in a single day is an easy and rewarding itinerary.
Reviewers frequently mention this pairing. Several said they were already heading toward or coming back from the dunes when they spotted signs for the watchtower and decided to check it out.
Almost every single one was glad they did.
The drive along Highway 17 through the San Luis Valley is itself worth experiencing. Wide skies, dramatic mountain backdrops, and almost no traffic make it a genuinely peaceful stretch of road.
Pulling off for an alien-themed pitstop only makes the journey more memorable and fun for everyone in the car.
The Dark Sky Stargazing Experience
Forget telescopes and astronomy apps for a moment. Standing outside at the UFO Watchtower on a clear night with zero light pollution is one of the most jaw-dropping stargazing experiences available anywhere in the continental United States.
The Bortle Class 2 rating means the night sky here is about as pristine as it gets.
One reviewer described seeing the Milky Way in full, sweeping detail during an overnight camping stay. Another said the stars alone made the trip worthwhile, even before factoring in the alien-hunting angle.
When the sky is that clear and that dark, it is genuinely hard to believe you are still on Earth.
Visiting during a new moon phase will give you the darkest possible skies. Arriving a bit before dusk lets your eyes adjust slowly as the stars appear one by one.
By midnight, the view overhead is something most people have simply never experienced before.
The Friendly and Knowledgeable Staff
A great attraction is only as good as the people running it, and by nearly every account, the staff at the UFO Watchtower are a genuine highlight. Multiple reviewers specifically called out the gentleman working in the gift shop as warm, engaging, and full of fascinating stories.
One visitor described a lengthy conversation about military experiences and unexplained encounters that left a lasting impression.
One reviewer noted that the staff member was a veteran, adding an extra layer of respect and appreciation to the interaction. Another said they learned more about the valley and its history from a ten-minute conversation than they had expected to learn all day.
That kind of personal connection is increasingly rare at tourist attractions. When a staff member genuinely loves what they are talking about, it shows.
The people here are not just selling souvenirs — they are sharing something they actually believe in, and that enthusiasm is contagious.
A Classic Piece of Roadside Americana
There is something deeply American about the UFO Watchtower. Built by a small-time operator with a big vision, it represents the kind of homegrown, passion-fueled roadside attraction that once lined highways all across the country.
No corporate backing, no slick marketing — just a person who believed in something and built a place around it.
One reviewer described it as “a true piece of roadside Americana kitsch, a labor of love.” That phrase captures it perfectly. The handmade quality, the personal touches, and the slightly chaotic layout all add to its charm rather than taking away from it.
Road trips are better with stops like this one. The UFO Watchtower reminds you that the best travel experiences are often the unplanned ones — the quirky detour that turns into the story you tell for years.
Pull off the highway, pay your five dollars, and become part of the legend.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
Getting the most out of your UFO Watchtower visit takes just a tiny bit of planning. The attraction is open Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM, and it is closed on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Always check the website at theoriginalufowatchtower.com before heading out, since hours can change seasonally.
Camping is available for around $20 per night, and reviewers strongly suggest staying overnight if your schedule allows. The combination of the dark sky, the campfire, and the eerie quiet of the San Luis Valley makes for an unforgettable evening.
Bring layers, because desert nights get cold fast even in summer.
Phone ahead at 719-378-2296 if you have questions or want to confirm hours. Parking is easy and free, and the location off Highway 17 makes it simple to find.
Come curious, leave a token in the garden, and keep your eyes on the sky.