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Rustic Creek Ranch

98%
¡
814 reviews
¡ Bailey, Jefferson, Colorado
160 acres hosted by Debbie M.
23 RV/tent sites ¡ 2 tent sites
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Best in Colorado: 1st place
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Great for groups
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for larger groups.
Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
The 160 acre ranch was homesteaded by my grandfather over 100 years ago. He was an engineer. The plan was to use this property as summer grazing for his cattle. The cattle were wintered at the other ranch about 10 miles away, which was homesteaded by my great grandfather. Because my grandfather could survey, he made sure the property lines zigzaged up the valley so the small creek was in the middle to provide water for the animals. He chose well. It is a beautiful, quiet place with elk, deer and wild turkeys. There are tons of wild flowers in the summer. Columbines, the Colorado state flower, wild roses, paintbrushes and lots of wild chokecherries. With nice views of nearby mountains, open pastures, evergreen forests and aspen groves, it looks like it did 100 years ago. Plus, there are a couple of ponds for your dogs to cool off in. Since the first cattle, the ranch has also been home to goats, chickens, horses, and now more goats, alpacas and llamas. And of course the Great Pyrenees ranch dogs. I had a house built a few years ago and live on the property full time. The ranch is surrounded by Pike National Forest with the Colorado Trail connecting the property in a number of places. Some of the highest ranked mountain bike trails are nearby. There are lots of places on and off the property to hike, mountain bike and ride your horse. On a clear night you can see thousands of stars and hear coyotes howl. For a drone video of the ranch check out: YouTube's Midsummer 2020 Flyover. Elevation 8,000 feet, Average Summer Temperatures: Days 60-80 f, Nights 45-60 f, Sunshine Average 73-80%, Colorado Trail Segment 3, USGS Maps: Windy Peak; Green Mountain quadrangles. This is the official info. Basically, the weather is usually similar to the Denver area - just 10 degrees cooler. About 8 miles away is the small town of Bailey. It has just about everything you might need: small grocery store, coffee shops, gas, laundry, a dollar store, hardware store, camping and sports equipment, brew pub, winery, a few restaurants, potable water station and more.
Activities
Biking
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Natural features
Forest
River, stream, or creek
Mountainous
Field
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RV/tent sites 23 sites
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#11 Humming Bird
98% (47)
RV/tent site ¡ Sleeps 12 ¡ Vehicles under 6 m
When I lived in Alaska, the people that went south escaping the cold, dark winters and returning for the glorious, sun filled summers were called Snowbirds. The Broad-tailed Humming Bird is Colorado’s version of a true Snowbird.  The red throated males return to the ranch about the third week in April and the females shortly thereafter.  They spend the summer here drinking from feeders and flowers. Then leaving around the first of September. On the first of July, the aggressive copper/orange Rufous Hummingbirds arrive buzzing and dive bombing like fighter pilots, trying to chase the Broad-tails away from the feeders. Humming Birds fly up from Mexico to spend the summers in the mountains of Colorado. Aren’t you glad you live close and don’t have to drive that far, or fly? Drink your morning coffee at the table while watching the sun rise over the mountain. Or at the end of the day do the opposite while the sun sets over Windy Peak. There is plenty of room for tents and small trailers/rv’s. The site is fairly level and there are enough pine cones to create any kind of pinecone art you can imagine or to use as kindling for your evening fire. A fire pit is included, plus a wooden bench, table and four chairs as well as a wooden cable spool for cooking on and rolling to the meadow to hold your drinks. The Humming Bird site is surrounded by aspen and ponderosa trees. Nearby is a trail that leads down to the creek and a small bridge that crosses it. And another trail that leads to the Colorado Trail.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
from
$40
/ night
for 2 guests
Instant book
#13 Aspen Grove
100% (37)
RV/tent site ¡ Sleeps 8 ¡ Vehicles under 6 m
A SITE FOR TENTS and SMALL CAMPERS/RVs: Did you know that Quaking Aspen trees grow in a colony connected by their root system? They are the most, wide spread tree in North America. Individual trees can live from 40 -150 years. New trees grow via suckers from the roots which continue to live even after a forest fire. The oldest known colony of aspen is in Utah and is the oldest living organism on earth. It is estimated to be over 80,000 years old with root system weighing an estimated 6,600 tons. Ok, enough on the aspen lesson…. on to the site info. This site is back in a large aspen grove, though it is not 80,000 years old. It can hold a large number of people in tents, campers and small RV’s. There are lots of bunnies and numerous birds including the famous summer visitors – the Humming Birds. Plus, the wild flowers including wild roses, fairy trumpets and paintbrushes. With a high clearance vehicle, you can get back there easily and set up your camper with very little leveling. Cars will just need to be a bit careful until the access gets a bit smoother. You can put tents as far back in the trees as you would like, close together or spread out. There of course table, chairs and a fire pit. Lots of firewood to be scrounged at this site. Bring a hand saw or borrow one of mine. An ax is too much work - bow saws are best.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
from
$34
/ night
for 2 guests
Instant book
#21 Sherwood Forest
88% (13)
RV/tent site ¡ Sleeps 10 ¡ Vehicles under 4 m
Rough but ready: Sherwood Forest – NEW SITE for TENTS and Small CAMPERS/RVs. The original Sherwood Forest is in Nottinghamshire, in central England. Well folks, welcome to the Colorado version. This is where Robin Hood stays with his band of merry campers and hides out. A perfect, private hide away back in the trees. The Sheriff of Nottingham won’t be able to find you for sure in this hidden site. Surrounded by ponderosa and lodgepole trees, plus some aspen, it makes for lots of shade on a hot summer day. Until the access gets a bit smoother, in your high clearance vehicle ( SUV’s, Trucks, etc. ) you can drive in. If you brought your town car, you can park on the edge and it is only a very short walk to carry your gear. Or camp right on the edge of the site behind a few trees. The meadow right across the road is a favorite spot for grazing deer, elk and of course alpacas, cashmere goats and ponies. Plus, it is a great location to take the chairs down in the evenings to have a cup of hot chocolate and view the stars in the night sky. Many birds like to visit – Chickadees, Hummingbirds, Pine Siskins and Wood Peckers just to name a few. There is a table, chairs and firepit. And plenty of dead aspen to gather for firewood. A small bow saw would come in handy. Leave the ax at home. It takes too much work. And YES there is a pottie near by.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
from
$27
/ night
for 2 guests
Tent sites 2 sites
Instant book
#23 Back Pack South
Booked 4 times
Tent site ¡ Sleeps 8
BACK PACK ONLY! NO DRIVING to this site. But the views are worth it! A 3-minute short hike up a steep hill and you are on top of the world. Well, on top of the ranch. It is about 250 yard walk from parking to the site, with 170 yards of it up the hill. Great views and it is private. An easy way to get introduced to backpacking without the long hike. We call it MINIMUN GEAR camping. Once you are on top, you can select a perfect location. Pitch your tent or hang a hammock. You don't want to be taking tons of gear to this site. This is the high spot on the ranch with views through the trees of Windy Peak, Green Mountain and Little Scraggy Mountain. There are plenty of flat spots surrounded by Ponderosa and Lodge Pole Pines. Listen to the breeze gently shake the pine needles. Gather pinecones to start your warm fire on a cool evening. There is plenty of wood around to be scrounged. This site has a fire pit. Plus, something you don't find while backpack camping - a table and chairs! Porta Potties are down the hill. But just in case there is a bucket toilet you can use. Now, if you want a lot more campers to join you, there is Backpack North, also up on the hill. Both sites can be combined so your large group has more than enough room. But, the sites are also far enough apart that if your group is small there can be small group at the north site that won't be in your way. Just let me know what you have planned.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
from
$30
/ night
for 2 guests
Instant book
#24 Back Pack North
Booked 1 time
Tent site ¡ Sleeps 8
BACK PACK ONLY! NO DRIVING to this site. But that photo of the pile of huge rocks is great to climb on! A 3-minute short hike up a steep hill and you are on top of the world. Well, on top of the ranch. It is about a 250 yard walk from parking to the site, with 170 yards of it up the hill. A private site under the evergreens and aspens. Flat spots for your tents – well flat for the mountains. Or hang your hammock. This is an easy way to get introduced to backpacking without the long hike. We call it MINIMUN GEAR camping. Once you are on top, you can select a perfect location. You don't want to be taking tons of gear to this site. Just a short hike to the north is a GREAT pile of rocks. Of course it is UP hill to get there – but downhill to return to camp. Gather pinecones to start your warm fire on a cool evening. There is plenty of wood around to be scrounged. This site has a fire pit. Plus, something you don't find while backpack camping - a table and chairs! Porta Potties are down the hill. But just in case there is a bucket toilet you can use. NOW if you want more campers to join you, there is Backpack South, also up on the hill. Both sites can be combined so your large group has more than enough room. But, the sites are also far enough apart that if there is another small group they won't be in your way. Just let me know what you have planned.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No showers
Picnic table
from
$30
/ night
for 2 guests
3,000 ft
Reviews
98% Recommend1113 ratings ¡ 814 reviews
Rustic Creek Ranch offers a warm and welcoming camping experience, where Debbie, the host, goes above and beyond to make guests feel at home. The property is beautifully maintained and features clean facilities, with the added charm of alpacas, llamas, goats, and ponies roaming freely. Visitors appreciate the seclusion, spaciousness, and scenic surroundings, making it an ideal getaway not far from Denver. While some guests mentioned rough roads and occasional barking from guardian dogs, these aspects are generally overshadowed by the tranquility and unique atmosphere of the campsite.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
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Alison S.
3 reviews
Recommends
¡ May 2025
Tent ¡ With kids ¡
#1 Choke Cherry - group site
Another incredible stay with Debbie on her property. Communication was great, Debbie checked in with us just the right amount, and included our large group of young families in animal feeding, riding in the back of her truck, and even made sure to find us again when a mini pony happened to be born while we were staying with her. An unforgettable experience for all of us- what a special place!!
A
Amanda D.
8 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
¡ October 2024
Tent ¡ With kids ¡
#6 Pie Rock
This site and experience were great. The sites were well spaced and the bathrooms we close by and clean. Slight sloping, but didn't cause issues.
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Andrew W.
8 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
¡ October 2024
First time camping with young kids
Tent ¡ With kids ¡
#8 Blue Spruce
This place is awesome! Scenic, safe, secluded and clean. Debbie and her husband were great hosts. We will be back without question. The picnic tables and mini tables for the tots were really appreciated amenities for the little ones activities. Oh and it’s only about an hour from Denver - hard to believe this experience exists so close. No cell phone service is just what the doctor ordered!
A
Ainsley G.
2 reviews
Recommends
¡ October 2024
Tent ¡
#9 Wild Rose
The most amazing camping trip! The animals make this place so special. They were all so sweet and our group enjoying feeding the alpacas and petting the goats. Having the ranch dogs around give you peace of mind at night. Debbie was super accommodating and made sure we had everything we needed. Thank you, we’re looking forward to coming back!
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Lauren S.
8 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
¡ October 2024
We loved the spot. Tucked away, beautiful aspens, very peaceful. Could hear the people in the field near us, but wasn’t too loud. Debbie was kind and welcoming. Cleanest bathrooms. Lovely trails nearby. We can’t wait to return
C
Cara S.
8 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
¡ October 2024
dancing leaves was 10 out of 10
Tent ¡ With pets ¡
#14 Dancing Leaves
we loved our campsite on Debbie’s property! she was a wonderful grounds keeper. the space was so well kept, the port o potty was the cleanest one I’ve ever used, and the campground itself was beautiful. she’s great with communication and making sure you are taken care of. I definitely plan on going back!
Location
Bailey, Jefferson, Colorado, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Debbie M.

Joined in November 2020
Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 7 hours
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.