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Sawatch Base Camp

98%

· Leadville, Lake, Colorado

10 acres hosted by Bryce E.

2 lodging sites

Private sites

97% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Bryce is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

Off-leash friendly

Pets can be off-leash at this Hipcamp.

Completely surrounded by National Forest in the heart of the Rockies at 10,600 feet in elevation, Sawatch Base Camp is one of a kind property at the site of an old turquoise mine with accessible yet private backcountry lodging. Located 6 miles northwest of Leadville, Colorado and 1 mile north of Turquoise Lake, Sawatch Base Camp is perched on a hill overlooking the Arkansas Headwaters, Leadville and the Mosquito Range including 14er Mt. Sherman. This prime location gives quick access to all the best outdoor recreation of the High Rockies, while also being removed enough to provide solitude and quality time with friends and family. In summer and fall (May through November), the property has vehicle access by Forest Service Road 103- known by many other names depending on mapping service including County Road 9A, Turquoise Chief Rd, and St. Kevin Rd. This segment of road is part of the famous Leadville 100 MTB race, lying at roughly Mile 8/Mile 95. In winter months (roughly Thanksgiving through April), the camp is accessible by snowmobile, ski or snowshoe on groomed multi-use winter trails open to the public. The trek in is approximately 4.4 miles from the Leadville Junction Parking Lot, with an elevation gain of roughly 800 feet. The terrain around the yurt provides backcountry skiing through trees with occasional glades. Our backcountry lodging is designed to have minimal impact on the landscape, intentionally rustic while also providing amenities like a wood stove, solar lighting, plush beds and a roomy indoor space to gather. Firewood and propane for the camp stove are provided. The restroom is an outhouse a few yards from the yurt stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Sawatch Base Camp operates under Lake County CUPs 21-10 and 23-33.

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

Forest

Mountainous

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98%

44 ratings · 35 reviews

Susan H.recommends

April 14, 2024

Turquoise Chief Yurt

Beautiful site, perfect for our girls trip. Bryce was very thoughtful about providing everything you might have forgotten or need extra of :) Very cozy and the best place to sink in and recharge after a snowy trek. Would love to stay again!

Nina S.recommends

April 10, 2024

Turquoise Chief Yurt

We had a wonderful stay at the yurt. It felt very secluded and the views were incredible. There was some very nice skiing in the glades around the yurt as well as the option for some bigger lines over at Galena mountain. The yurt is a little bare bones but well stocked with everything we needed. We were happy we brought our water filter, as there can be a lot of debris in the snow from the trees. I would recommend bringing shoes/slippers that have some grip on the bottom as the path to the outhouse can get a little slippery. Bryce was a good host and answered all my questions I had prior to the trip. Overall it was a great experience and I hope to visit again soon!

Brendon G.recommends

April 6, 2024

St. Kevin Yurt

Cute little yurt to take your send it significant other. Or if you plan on hunting in the gmu it would make a great base camp.

Sarah M.recommends

March 25, 2024

St. Kevin Yurt

Great Trip!

The yurt was super cute and the bed was comfy! It would be a tight fit to sleep 4, but doable. There were all of the cooking utensils we needed, and the yurt was very well stocked. It was very peaceful, quiet, and easy to get to (we did it as a nordic ski trip, which made the last uphill push on the groomed icy road difficult).

Kimberly M.recommends

March 24, 2024

Turquoise Chief Yurt

Wonderful Winter Adventure

The yurt exceeded our expectations! It was extremely clean and organized. It has everything you need and more! The views are spectacular pm and am! The wood-burning stove was fierce! Kept us extremely warm while the snow was dumping down. It was a beautiful escape for a birthday getaway! I highly recommend this to everyone! We will absolutely be returning! Thank you so much!

Kaitlin C.recommends

March 22, 2024

Turquoise Chief Yurt

This was such an amazing backcountry experience in the winter! Gorgeous views on the hike in and even better views from the yurt! The yurt was cozy and had mostly everything we needed, which we were happy that we didn’t have to lug it up there. We intended to snowshoe the road up to the yurt but the groomed road was mostly packed down and we just hiked on the snow instead. The listing says it is a 4.4 mile hike, but our watches clocked closer to 5 miles with ~1000 feet of elevation gain. The last mile is a doozy! Overall stellar experience, tons of fun and we can’t wait to do it again!

Location

Leadville, Lake, Colorado, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Bryce E.Joined in August 2022

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