Our Accommodations
The Ranch (Corral, Office, Bunkhouse, etc.)
Bear Basin Ranch is an 1890’s working ranch nestled in the heart of the Wet Mountains in Southern Colorado and overlooks the Wet Valley to the west and runs parallel to the Sangre de Cristo range and the Sangre de Cristo National Wilderness Area. Bear Basin Ranch was first utilized as a hunting ground for roaming bands of buffalo hunters, then as a summer home to the Mountain Utes. The Ranch was later settled as part of the Silver Park Prospect in the 1860’s, later becoming a homestead, cattle ranch, and finally, the home of our 60-head Appaloosa and Quarter horses.
Today, the Ranch consists of 3,500 acres of undeveloped landscape, all protected by a conservation easement, serving as a working horse ranch and providing protection of the land as undivided and undeveloped for future generations. The Ranch facilities are used by Bear Basin Packtrips and our 60 head of Appaloosa and Quarter horses. Many of the buildings on our ranch, including our barn, are over 100 years old and surround our guests with an overwhelming sense of early Colorado history. It’s all a part of what makes our outfitting operation so unique, and allows our guests to have such unforgettable horseback riding Sangre de Cristo experiences and enjoy their time with us so much. In keeping with the rustic 1860’s ambiance, the buildings at the Ranch continue to have no modern amenities such as electricity or running water (well, okay, we do have a little solar power operating our office equipment!)
The Bunkhouse
The Main Ranch includes the office, bunkhouse, barn and corrals, a wood-fired sauna, solar shower house, two outhouses, and several other outbuildings used as living quarters by our summer wrangler staff.
Guests participating in our horseback riding Sangre De Cristos packtrips will only utilize the bunkhouse to fill water bottles, use the outhouses, and the visit to the office to finalize any paperwork before embarking on their mountain adventures.
Outfitter’s Camp
At 9,000 ft. Above sea level, our outfitter’s camp is nestled in ponderosa pines, surrounded by the rolling Wet Mountains of Colorado and the spectacular views of the magnificent peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are only a five minute walk away. Guests stay in two-person wall tents with comfortable foam beds. The camp is equipped with a propane-fired camp shower and a wood-stove heated sweat lodge that is a great place to work out your cares and worries after a hard day of horseback riding Sangre de Cristo adventure.
The camp is a comfortable and mellow place to play horseshoes, volleyball, or ping pong – or just to relax until dinner. It’s not unusual to see deer grazing at the edge of the camp as dusk comes on, and nighthawks fill the sky as the sun sets. Songs are sung, and tales both tall and true are told around the campfire after a long day horseback riding Sangre de Cristo, as we lay back to enjoy the most star-filled sky you will ever see. Coyotes often serenade you to sleep as you dream of the next day’s adventures.
Camping & Eating on a Packtrip
We provide 4-man tents for you to share with one other individual. However, you may request single occupancy.
We have experience with and are happy to accommodate special dietary needs such as Kosher, vegetarian, and lactose-free. Just let us know when you make your reservations of your special needs.
