Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
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Reviews
96% Recommend113 ratings · 97 reviews
We had an awesome time at the Laughing Valley Ranch! Bill showed us around and we loved looking at the animals, he’s a very knowledgeable and kind man. The campsite was an a gorgeous outlook that made for fantastic views. We are birders, so loved all of the cool birds around. Joe also made our stay super easy and comfortable! He gave us rides to the site, made sure we had wood and water, and showed us some cool spots around the land. Big shoutout to Joe! Overall we really enjoyed our time here, great place to get away and take in the mountain view’s for a couple of days, while not being super far from Denver and the cute town of Idaho Springs. Recommend this spot for any hiking, camping, or overall nature lovers.
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Nate Y.
2 reviews
We had a fantastic stay at Laughing Valley a few weeks ago. The tent, campsite and amenities were impressive, making our experience comfortable and enjoyable. What truly stood out was our engagement with Joe, who took us on a tour and showed us all the cool ranch animals — his enthusiasm and kindness made the visit memorable. When a storm was approaching, Joe went above and beyond to ensure our tent was securely latched and that we felt safe and comfortable. Overall, we felt genuinely taken care of and already look forward to returning for another trip. Highly recommend!
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Sarah L.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2025
With kids ·
Laughing Valley Ranch Glamping
William was great with my son showing him all the animals! Thank you!! The tent was well stocked and cozy. We had a great evening under the stars at this little slice of Heaven.
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Anna C.
9 months on Hipcamp
We loved our stay in Idaho Springs!! The mountain views were just breathtaking! And Bill was super welcoming, friendly, and very accommodating. (Worth the trip just to get to know this very cool human being.) He was so kind with our boys, and we got a great tour of all his animals and of course, burro rides! Also Joe helped us quickly pack up and get up to our safari tent before a big rain storm came through. He worked very hard to make sure we didn’t get soaked, which was greatly appreciated! All in all, it was a very unique and gorgeous place to stay and we felt very well taken care of. Our boys loved it and had a ton of fun building forts, exploring little caves, and hiking the land. (Speaking of forts, if you see a big hole with tons of sticks over it, that was our boys’ handy work. We’ll see how long it lasts! 🙃)
Things to note: It’s a little bit of an intimidating dirt road up the mountain to get to the property, but even without four wheel drive, we were able to make it just fine. Also it’s quite a hike up the mountain to the actual safari tent, but we were able to load our stuff and ourselves onto the ATV, and Bill came and picked us up whenever we needed a ride down, which again was super accommodating.
All in all, we loved it and would go again! It’s exactly the kind of place we are looking for when HipCamping - unique and welcoming!
Jerrod M.
2 reviews
The views from the spot were fantastic, and I was really impressed with how attentive and proactive the host was - from texting and driving us up to being there again when we left. It’s rare to have a host physically present both on arrival and departure, and it made the stay feel extra cared for. The tent is in good repair and tall enough to stand in comfortably and we appreciated many of the extras like woodstove and drinking water. My daughter especially loved seeing the animals and getting to take a donkey ride, which was a highlight of the trip.
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Carissa C.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Group trip ·
Laughing Valley Ranch Glamping
Great location, cute asses, comfy yurt, possible Sasquatch sighting.
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Carolyn M.
2 reviews
My kiddo (8yo) and I loved our stay and will definitely return. The campsite feels remote but safe with the BEST 360 views. We could have just sat on the porch all weekend staring at the mountains and had a swell time.
When we arrived, Bill gave us a quick tour of his ranch and had so many interesting things to share about his life and animals. What a neat guy. Joe picked us up on our way out and was very nice to talk to. Good folks and a great space all around.
The tent and cots were cozy and we made good use of the wood burning stove on cold evenings (we got set up with plenty of firewood thankfully). The camp area has solar-powered lights that illuminate the area, so spending time outside in the evening was so pretty.
Definitely check out the hike to the abandoned mine and be sure to thoroughly wander the campsite for interesting features. The only thing we would do differently is to bring disinfecting wipes to wipe down the kitchen and remember our aluminum foil to cook on the grate over the fire pit.
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Katie L.
2 reviews
Staying at Williams property was definitely a unique experience. The campsite is located up the hill from Williams house, it was secluded and had an excellent view. You will not be able to take your vehicle to the campsite so make sure you plan accordingly. William shared a hiking trail that led to an old mining structure, it was nice to be able to hike around the area without having to leave the property. We had a chance to visit with William and see his stable area, he was very knowledgeable about the land and his animals.
Esteban A.
19 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
With kids ·
Laughing Valley Ranch Glamping
What a hidden gem! We stayed here with our three kids (9, 5, and 2) and had an unforgettable experience. The burro rides were a huge hit, and although we only met him briefly, Bill was incredibly welcoming and kind. Joe drove us up to the site and we had some wonderful conversations along the way.
The campsite itself was perfect—secluded enough that even just off I-70, we felt a world away from Denver. The views were stunning, and the clear night skies made for incredible stargazing. Our kids had a blast running around, and the tent was far more stocked than we expected, which made our stay so easy and comfortable.
We would absolutely love to come back. My only regret is booking just one night—it went by way too fast, and we wish we’d stayed longer!
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Nina C.
1 year on Hipcamp
Laughing Valley Ranch was everything I was searching for. My husband and I loved backpacking pre kids. We've taken them car camping and have found that we were really missing the solitude and immersion into nature that usually requires very little comforts and lots of hiking. I picked William's ranch as it looked like it could be a mix of serenity and convenience. It absolutely fit the bill. We quickly fell in love. The trail leading up is fittingly entitled, "Stairway to Heaven." As the site came into view I knew that's exactly what this is, a slice of heaven. Words can't do it justice. It was simply bliss. Thank you to Bill and Joe for your outstanding hospitality, flexibility and conversation. It's lovely to meet good humans and the animals were phenomenal! The kids are already talking about the next time we'll come!
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Jennifer S.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2025
With kids ·
Laughing Valley Ranch Glamping
campsite is beautiful and has just about everything you need. also really fun to meet Bill’s animals!
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Sam M.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2025
Camping/Glamping Weekend at Wiliams
With pets ·
Laughing Valley Ranch Glamping
My husband and I, our daughter and two dogs had a weekend experience at Williams Camping / Glamping tent, and wow it was wonderful! We loved everything from the views to the generous support William provided and his teammate Joe! We learned so much about the property, area, and the amazing animals they have on their land as well. Thank you so much William and Joe! We will be back!
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Sheridan D.
7 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2025
Joe was an amazing host, really friendly and made us feel very welcome. Great location if you’re looking for peace and privacy.
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Michael B.
2 years on Hipcamp
Mixed feelings
· July 2025
With kids ·
Laughing Valley Ranch Glamping
The host William was kind and had water and firewood prepared for us, which made things more comfortable than expected. He also helped us carry to site.
He kindly explained about the animals Heraise and even let our child ride a donkey, which My children really enjoyed. (It seems like it’s only suitable for younger children.)
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Yongjin C.
3 reviews
Will and Joe are fantastic persons, the camp site is beautiful with breathtaking views. The directions are easy and Will, Joe makes your experience as great as possible. They are always there to help. Its also amazing to get to know about farm animals. I would definitely go there again and recommend to my friends. Its a whole different experience, 10/10.
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Jasdeep S.
2 reviews
We absolutely loved this spot! Bill is an amazing host, and the tent is organized and designed so well - you can tell a lot of thought has gone into making this an incredibly easy stay for guests. There are beautiful views including several 14ers from the site and I can’t believe how close it is to Denver but so peaceful and remote. Definitely hope to stay again!
Melissa C.
2 reviews
Recommends
· June 2025
This was a lovely experience. My husband and I took my mom here on her visit to CO. William, his animals, and his land are special. We were touched by his stories and his attitude toward life. The camping spot itself had beautiful views and everything we needed for an overnight. My mom isn’t a “camper” but loved it all. We will definitely return with future visitors. Thank you, William!
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Val O.
4 reviews
This place is phenomenal. William is full of joy that spreads from the land to the animals to us, the guest. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet someone like William and stay on his incredibly isolated camp site. We highly recommend this location for the rustic glamper!
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Rikki P.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2024
We’ve been back to Bill’s yurt three years in a row now, and we always have a great time. This time we took the hike to an old mine, which was awesome! Be careful with pups and kiddos on the hike because there are a lot of cacti!
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Kelli M.
5 reviews
We had an amazing time at this HIPCAMP. The owner, Bill, is one of those people you meet and you know they have a good soul immediately. We spent hours talking and sharing experiences and learned so much from him. He loves his animals dearly and he gets a twinkle in his eye when he speaks about showing them to kids. I found myself sitting cross legged listening to him tell stories and felt like a kid myself. He gave us info on a really cool hike and the tent itself is well thought out with great views and solar lights to enjoy the stars. But the best part was Bill. We exchanged hugs when we left and we will hold the memory of meeting him dear. Hoping we can return again for more stories from the real life Santa clause!
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Sierra J.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2024
Overall was an amazing trip! I went for one night and the provided water, fire wood, and plenty of camping gear. Everyone was extremely friendly, couldn’t have been better!
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Adelyn C.
1 year on Hipcamp
Amazing views and a great setup, this was our second time staying here.
It is a hike to get up there so come prepared to sweat and wouldn’t recommend it for folks who don’t feel confident in their physical abilities
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Emily A.
2 years on Hipcamp
Great set up! The view was nice and the camping site had just about everything that we needed. We’d definitely consider going back!
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Alyson B.
1 year on Hipcamp
Tricky to get to, but so worth it when you get there! The view is spectacular, the animals were so fascinating, and William and all the staff were incredibly kind and helpful, id be happy to go again 😊 we had a great time
Cindy G.
2 reviews
William was an awesome host, super friendly and knowledgeable. The campsite was rugged, and the views were absolutely amazing. The only complaint I have is that the shower was broken, and we were depending on using the shower during our stay.
The hike up the campsite is 3/4 of a mile straight uphill. If you are not in good shape, then this might not be the place for you. I took my parents here for the weekend with my husband and they are memories we will never forget. I would highly recommend.
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Kiersten M.
1 year on Hipcamp
Mixed feelings
· July 2024
William was a very nice individual and very accommodating to our schedule/needs. Views were great and loved the solitude. Close to town as well. Wood stove was nice to have. However, the shower was non-functional which was a major frustration as this was a large reason why we chose this solitary site over other camping spots. It would be nice to have known that ahead of time as that may have swayed our decision. Also, the vault toilet needed to be serviced.
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Eric B.
1 year on Hipcamp
Loved our stay. William was lovely and so accommodating. Kids loved the animals and riding on the ATV up and down from the site. Beautiful views.
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Zoey B.
1 year on Hipcamp
Beautiful location, as pictured. Stove was helpful as it stormed as we were finishing our campfire dinners. Tent was roomy for our family of 4 and dog, although it leaked during the 2hr storm. Only downside were the biting flies which couldn’t be kept away even with lots of deer spray. Hike would be rigorous for those not in shape. Got to see the animals on our way home although missed the legendary Bill (though we read an article about him in this month’s Westward magazine).
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Whitney M.
2 years on Hipcamp
William is such a gracious host and has the best stories! The property is stunning, so quiet and peaceful. Such a memorable stay!
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Shelly D.
3 reviews
Not for everyone, but a truly amazing and unforgettable experience.
Great views and private site. Tent included fresh water with a pump, wood burning stove, chairs, paper towels, metal plates, and silverware. Porta-poty on site
Must bring pillows and sleeping bags. Hike to site was not an easy one. 3/4 miles and 900 foot climb.
William gave a tour of the ranch shared history of the property.
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Brad B.
2 years on Hipcamp
Location
Idaho Springs, Clear Creek, Colorado, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by William L.
Joined in August 2020Things to do nearby
Popular searches in Colorado
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