The High Desert Ranch

1 review
Firepit (added by manager 26 May 2021)

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  • Laidback site on a 40-acre ranch 10 minutes' drive from Moffat
  • A 10-minute drive to Crestone; several hot springs within half an hour
  • Dark sky area for stargazing, with stunning mountain views
Fill your days or nights with hiking, stargazing, horse riding and off-roading with a stay at The High Desert Ranch, a 40-acre Colorado site with easy access from the main road and the town of Moffat, 10 minutes’ drive away. The surroundings here are pretty spectacular – it’s ranch land, state land and wildlife refuge all around, and there are mountain views of the Sangre de Cristo Range in every direction. Hiking, horse riding and off-roading trails are a few minutes away for in-depth exploring, but there are sights to be seen from the campground too: the state’s second-largest herd of elk can often be seen from the property. Back in the 1980s this land was part of a large ranch; that ranch is still up and running but this parcel of land has now been turned into a laidback site that welcomes families, couples, groups and dogs who’d like to explore places like the Great Sand Dunes or Gunnison National Forest. Being pretty far removed from urban centres also means this is a great dark-sky spot for stargazing. The campground is fairly basic, with just portable toilets, wifi and a dog park on the facilities front, but the pitches are spacious and there’s no problem lighting up campfires or barbecues (pick up supplies at the grocery store 10 minutes’ drive away).

Site type

Tent pitches 18
Touring caravan pitches 5
Motorhome pitches 4
Opens

Languages spoken

English

Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Features

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Forest Peaceful Spectacular scenery

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Shop nearby

Type

Small (11-25 pitches)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Location

The High Desert Ranch

18388 County Road 65

Moffat

Colorado

USA

81143

Directions

Timezone

America/Denver Mountain Daylight Time (GMT-06:00)

GPS

38.01888°N
-105.81161°W

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Head for some hot springs and a highly relaxing dip at the Joyful Journey Hot Springs (25 minutes’ drive) or the Sand Dunes Recreation hot springs pool (25 minutes). A peaceful time is very much within reach around this area, as the spiritual centre of Crestone (10 minutes) is also close by If it’s creatures that you’re here to spot, then there are a few places that may be calling your name. The birdlife at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (an hour) perhaps? Animals with big gnashers, such as the gators at Colorado Gators Reptile Park (half an hour)? An extra-terrestrial vantage point like the UFO Watchtower (25 minutes)? No worries about missing your hikes and natural beauty spots, because Gunnison National Forest (40 minutes) has gorgeous waterfalls, mountain landscapes and woodlands for miles, while Sangre De Cristo Wilderness (25 minutes) has hikes and horse rides that end at splendid alpine lakes. Getting active is straightforward from the Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center (an hour) too. Test your balance by sandboarding or sand sledding down dunes, have a paddle in Medano Creek or bike the Medano Pass Road.

Reviews

100%

would recommend this site to a friend

100%

would stay here again

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Easy to find, plenty of spot selection, very friendly. Great place to…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities No rating
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Justin F. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Electric gravel and sand pitch

Liked: Easy to find, plenty of spot selection, very friendly. Great place to see the stars!

Recommend to friends Visit again


Frequently asked questions

  • Does The High Desert Ranch have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is The High Desert Ranch dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near The High Desert Ranch? Head for some hot springs and a highly relaxing dip at the Joyful Journey Hot Springs (25 minutes’ drive) or the Sand Dunes Recreation hot springs pool (25 minutes). A peaceful time … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of The High Desert Ranch?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  11 a.m.

    Upon entry, you will see the stop sign on the information board, which contains a site map and other useful information for you.

    Read more