Our History

Bear Basin Packtrips is based out of Bear Basin Ranch in Custer County, Colorado (about 1.5 hours south and west of Colorado Springs).

Bear Basin Ranch is an 1890’s working ranch nestled in the heart of the Wet Mountains. TheWet Mountains overlook the Wet Valley to the west and run parallel to the Sangre de Cristo range and the Sangre de Cristo National Wilderness Area. The Sangres are nothing less than an often overlooked and little known national treasure, and they include some of the tallest mountains and most dramatic scenery in the entire American West.

The land on which Bear Basin Ranch now sits was originally prime hunting ground for roaming bands of buffalo hunters, and later as one of the summer camping areas for theMountain Ute Indians. In the mid-1860’s the Ranch was covered by miners looking to strike it rich in the mad rush of the Silver Park Prospect. Over the following years, the land has served at different times as a homestead and a cattle ranch.

Today, the Ranch consists of 3,500 acres of undeveloped landscape, all protected by a conservation easement. The Ranch facilities are used by Bear Basin Packtrips and our60 head of Appaloosa and Paint 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 history. It’s just part of what makes our operation so unique and allows our guests to have such unforgettable experiences and enjoy their time with us so much.