Frontier Drive-Inn expands lodging capacity in San Luis Valley

The Frontier Drive-Inn is going big this summer, unveiling an expansion that brings new high-design Quonset huts and artist-graffitied Airstreams to the heart of the San Luis Valley.

The destination just outside of Center — about a 3 ½-hour drive from Denver — is rolling out eight new Quonset hut suites, five renovated vintage Airstreams and a big increase in RV and tent sites.

“When we opened in 2022, we had a vision for what we wanted the next phase to look like,” co-owner Luke Falcone said. “These new accommodations offer more options for families and groups as well as road warriors looking for a unique experience.

That vision has turned the Frontier into a hospitality powerhouse. The property, which can now accommodate 75 guests for full-site buyouts, is positioned as a basecamp for exploring the Great Sand Dunes, Wolf Creek and the Rio Grande.

For those who prefer a little more elbow room, they are also managing four newly renovated apartments just minutes away above the historic Center Theatre.

The most striking addition to the skyline — which includes an 80-foot “drive-in” screen — is the collection of eight Quonset hut suites. Frontier has retrofitted its huts with them with luxury wood-paneled interiors, in-floor heating and semi-private decks.

With king and double-queen options that can be joined for larger groups, it’s a move to attract the families and corporate retreats that have been eyeing the valley.

For visitors who want a bit more grit with their glamor, the Frontier partnered with trailer and camper retrofitter Nomadicana to renovate five vintage Airstream trailers. Each trailer features work from nationally recognized graffiti artists, creating a retro-street-art vibe in the middle of the desert.

Inside, however, the experience is high-end, featuring:

• Parachute mattresses and towels
• Pendleton blankets and custom rugs
• Private kitchenettes and en-suite bathrooms

For the more rugged crowd, the expansion adds 20 full-hookup RV sites and seven campsites perfect for sprinter vans and teardrop trailers.

All guests, whether in a suite or a tent, get the spa like bathhouse experience and a front-row seat to the cinematic screen.