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MINGUS RANCH

Wetmore, Colorado · USDA Forest Service

No pets
MINGUS RANCH — official Recreation.gov photo

Photo: Recreation.gov

About

Mingus Ranch is a cabin where guests can step back in time and feel like they're staying on an early 20th century homestead. The cabin was built in 1908 and was operated by the same family for six decades before it became a Forest Service property. In collaboration with the Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway and the Colorado State Historical Society, the cabin and neighboring barn have been renovated to match their original appearance and filled with period-specific furniture and antiques. Electricity is provided and a horse corral is onsite.Westcliffe, a mountain town is 26 miles northwest of the cabin. The town has grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, banking, a medical clinic, and other amenities. From Mingus Ranch cabin take State Hwy 165 north for 9 miles to the junction of State Highway 96. Then take SH 96 west for 17 miles into Westcliffe. Colorado City, 29 miles south of the cabin on SH 165 has a grocery store, gas stations, and a public golf course.Hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, off-road vehicle riding, hunting and wildlife viewing are all enjoyable activities here. An extensive network of hiking trails and roads for biking are nearby.The modest two-story ranch building is an example of a typical high country ranch. The cabin sleeps six and conveniences include electric heat, an electric stove and minimal electric lighting. A vault toilet, picnic table and campfire ring are located outside, as well as a horse corral. Furnishings consist of one bunk bed, two single beds, a queen sized bed, a kitchen sink not equipped with running water, table and chairs and some cooking pots and utensils. No drinking water is available so it's important to bring plenty. Other items to bring include bedding, food, garbage bags, dish soap, sunscreen and other basic camping gear. There are minimal lights at the facility, so visitors please bring additional light sources. The outhouse is several hundred feet from the cabin. Please leave the cabin as clean as you have enjoyed for the next visitor.The cabin is perched in a sprawling meadow at an elevation of 9,400 feet near the base of Round Top Mountain in the heart of the Wet Mountains. Surrounding the meadow are spruce and other mixed conifers. The scenic Greenhorn Mountain is due south.

Directions

From Pueblo, CO take State Highway 96 approximately 30 miles to the junction of State Highway 165. Travel south on SH 165 for 9 miles. Turn left (east) onto Forest Service Road 383 (Ditch Creek Rd.) and continue 1.5 miles. The two story cabin is on the right. From Interstate 25 south of Pueblo, CO take Exit 74 onto State Highway 165. Travel on SH 165 north for approximately 29 miles. Turn right (east) onto Forest Service Road 383 (Ditch Creek Road). Go 1.5 miles to the two story cabin which is on the right.

Location

Map tiles © OpenStreetMap.

Details

State
Colorado
City / area
Wetmore
Agency
USDA Forest Service
Parent area
Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands
Campsites
1
Reservable
Yes
Typical price
$75 / night
Rating
4.44 / 5 (25 reviews on Recreation.gov)
Equipment
See Recreation.gov

Reserve on Recreation.gov

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