Mingus Ranch

4.20

26 reviews

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, CANON CITY, CO 81212, USA

Quick Facts

9,400 ft

Price

$75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open from May 1 to N...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

No Pets

Opens San Carlos Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

9,400 ft

Price

$75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open from May 1 to N...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

No Pets

Opens San Carlos Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Mingus Ranch

$75.00 - $75.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fee is $75 per night for the cabin during the peak season (May 1 - November 29). Discounts for pass holders do not apply to cabin reservations....

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL (877) 444-6777, FOR OTHER INFORMATION CALL (719) 489-3370 OR (719) 269-8500.

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What Campers Say

4.20

Satisfactory

Based on 26 reviews

Most mentioned

peacefullocationhiking

"Reviews for Mingus Ranch are largely positive, with an average sentiment of 4.0 for campground-specific experiences. Visitors appreciated the rustic charm, wildlife sightings, and proximity to attractions but noted issues such as mice, flies, and lack of seclusion."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, CANON CITY, CO 81212, USA

Mingus Ranch

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, CANON CITY, CO 81212, USA

Driving directionsFrom 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.

The cabin is accessible via paved roads to Highway 165, followed by 1.5 miles on Forest Service Road 383 (Ditch Creek Road), a dirt road that is moderately steep but well-maintained.

Nearby places

Westcliffe (26 miles northwest), Colorado City (29 miles south), Pueblo (approximately 30 miles).

Nearby supplies

Colorado City (29 miles south) has grocery stores, gas stations, and a public golf course. Westcliffe (26 miles northwest) offers grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, banking, and other amenities.

Best Time to Camp at Mingus Ranch

Mountain magic unfolds across every season at this high-altitude retreat, where summer days bring warm sunshine followed by refreshingly cool evenings that call for cozy sweaters and campfire stories. Winter transforms the landscape into a dramatic wonderland, with fierce winds sculpting snow drifts and temperatures that demand warm layers and hot cocoa by the wood stove. The remarkable clarity of the mountain air, with minimal cloud cover throughout much of the year, creates some of Colorado's most spectacular stargazing conditions, turning each night into a celestial showcase.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer popular: warm days, cool evenings, abundant wildflowers and trail access; some issues with flies.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

High-elevation mountain setting suggests excellent fall color and crisp weather; trails remain accessible.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Open from May 1 (late spring); wildflowers and trails good but access limited early spring.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground is closed for winter after Nov 29; winter camping not generally supported.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 1 - November 29. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 1 to November 29.
Current Alerts: Fire bans are often in effect due to Colorado's fire restrictions, limiting the use of the outdoor firepit.

About Mingus Ranch

Step back in time at Mingus Ranch, where a lovingly restored 1908 homestead cabin invites you to experience the authentic spirit of Colorado's pioneering past. Nestled in the heart of the Wet Mountains, this historic retreat combines rustic charm with modern comforts, featuring electric heat for chilly mountain nights and an electric stove for preparing hearty meals. The cabin's period-specific furnishings transport you to a simpler era while accommodating up to six guests in cozy comfort. Outside, gather around the crackling firepit under star-filled skies, let horses graze in the provided corral, or enjoy meals at the picnic table with sweeping mountain views. While the experience remains authentically rustic with vault toilet facilities and no running water, the cabin offers a perfect balance of historic ambiance and practical amenities.

Mingus Ranch exclusively offers cabin lodging with no options for primitive, RV, or tent camping.

Historical SignificanceFor six remarkable decades, the Mingus family called this mountain cabin home, carving out a life in the rugged Colorado wilderness beginning in 1908. Their legacy lives on through careful restoration that honors the cabin's authentic character, from the hand-hewn logs to the thoughtfully curated period furniture that fills each room. Every weathered board and vintage furnishing tells a story of determination, self-sufficiency, and the enduring appeal of mountain living that continues to captivate visitors more than a century later.

Weather and SeasonsMountain magic unfolds across every season at this high-altitude retreat, where summer days bring warm sunshine followed by refreshingly cool evenings that call for cozy sweaters and campfire stories. Winter transforms the landscape into a dramatic wonderland, with fierce winds sculpting snow drifts and temperatures that demand warm layers and hot cocoa by the wood stove. The remarkable clarity of the mountain air, with minimal cloud cover throughout much of the year, creates some of Colorado's most spectacular stargazing conditions, turning each night into a celestial showcase.

ElevationPerched at an impressive 9,400 feet above sea level, Mingus Ranch offers the rare air and expansive vistas that define Colorado's high country experience. This elevation brings crisp, pine-scented breezes, naturally cooler temperatures that provide relief from summer heat, and panoramic views that stretch for miles across the surrounding peaks. The thin mountain air adds an extra sparkle to sunny days and creates those brilliantly clear nights that make every star seem close enough to touch.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to panoramic views across a wildflower-dotted meadow, where morning mist clings to towering spruce and mixed conifers that frame your mountain sanctuary. The majestic profiles of Greenhorn Mountain to the south and Round Top Mountain create a dramatic backdrop for daily adventures, while the expansive meadow serves as nature's amphitheater. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in frequent visits from curious deer grazing at dawn, playful chipmunks darting among the trees, jewel-toned hummingbirds hovering near wildflowers, and the haunting evening songs of coyotes echoing across the valley.

Geological RegionMingus Ranch claims a privileged position within the Wet Mountains, a lesser-known gem of Colorado's diverse mountain ranges. At 9,400 feet elevation near the base of Round Top Mountain, the cabin sits at the perfect intersection of alpine meadow and montane forest ecosystems. Expansive meadows flow like green rivers between stands of stately spruce and mixed conifers, creating diverse habitats and stunning visual contrasts. The commanding presence of Greenhorn Mountain to the south anchors the landscape, its peaks serving as both landmark and weather gauge for those who learn to read the mountain's moods.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in by 3 PM.

Check-out

Check-out by 11 AM.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 14 nights during a visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

The cabin accommodates up to 6 guests.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSingle cabin site in a meadow.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Walk-in AvailabilityAdvanced reservations are required. Walk-ups are not available.

Cancellation PolicyStandard cancellation fee is $10. Late cancellations within 14 days of arrival forfeit the first night’s fee. No-show fee is $20.

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features were mentioned in the provided information.

Site SizeThe cabin can accommodate up to six individuals with a mix of large and small beds (bunk beds, twin beds, and a full bed).

PrivacyThe cabin is situated in a large meadow offering partial privacy; however, visitors noted visibility of a nearby ranch. "It does feel a little less secluded but we never saw anyone and enjoyed watching their horses in the pasture.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesGuests recommend bringing additional bedding for comfort, flashlights or headlamps for night use, and securing food to avoid attracting mice.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

Mingus Ranch provides opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, off-road vehicle riding, hunting, and wildlife viewing. Nearby attractions include Lake Isabel and Bishop's Castle. "There are numerous trails and unpaved roads for exploring."

HikingExtensive hiking trails are located nearby, catering to varying skill levels. "We hiked a few trails in the area I hadn't ever hiked before."

FishingFishing opportunities are available at nearby Lake Isabel, located approximately 20 minutes away. "We brought our kayak and paddleboard and enjoyed Lake San Isabel."

BikingMountain biking is a popular activity, with multiple unpaved roads and trails available. "We brought our mountain bikes and enjoyed riding straight from the cabin on the less traveled roads and trails."

BoatingBoating activities are possible at Lake Isabel, which is a short drive from Mingus Ranch. "We brought our kayak and paddleboard and enjoyed Lake San Isabel."

Wildlife viewingWildlife commonly seen includes deer, chipmunks, hummingbirds, field mice, wild turkeys, and coyotes. "We did hear coyotes at night... cool (since we were safely inside)."

Winter Activities

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include exposure to wildlife such as mice and coyotes. The vault toilet is distant from the cabin, requiring night lighting.

Active AlertsFire bans are often in effect due to Colorado's fire restrictions, limiting the use of the outdoor firepit.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyFires are restricted to propane fire bowls during bans. Outdoor fire ring available when fire bans are not in effect.

Emergency ServicesMedical clinic in Westcliffe (26 miles northwest). For emergencies, Canon City has major facilities, including a hospital.

Trash & RecyclingTrash removal is required by campers, and no recycling facilities are explicitly mentioned. "Please remove trash and garbage."

Water FeaturesLake Isabel is 10 minutes away, offering kayaking and paddleboarding opportunities.

Camp HostNo host information provided.

Weather at Mingus Ranch

Reviews

4.2

26 reviews

Satisfactory

Mingus Ranch is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews for Mingus Ranch are largely positive, with an average sentiment of 4.0 for campground-specific experiences. Visitors appreciated the rustic charm, wildlife sightings, and proximity to attractions but noted issues such as mice, flies, and lack of seclusion.

Review Summaries

Based on 26 reviews

What Campers Love

Highlights include the peaceful and historical ambiance, wildlife sightings, and opportunities for hiking, biking, and off-roading. "Amazing period piece. Beautiful location. Special opportunity."

Based on 26 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints involved the presence of mice, flies, and lack of running water. "The cooler weather has brought the mice in... don't let them bother you."

Based on 26 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring flashlights, bedding, potable water, and food stored securely to avoid attracting mice. "Bring your bottle opener, a spatula, and your bedding, and you should be fine."

Based on 26 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are popular, although visitors reported issues with flies and warm evenings. Winter camping may be less ideal due to strong winds and cooler temperatures but offers peaceful solitude.

Based on 26 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "The vault toilet was mostly clean but the cool morning air and the warm ground caused the smell... revolting." 2. "No other weird sounds/noises. A total of about a dozen cars traveled past... no...

Based on 26 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsite 01 (Loop: MINR) was generally well-reviewed but noted for mice presence, rustic amenities, and occasional issues with cleanliness. "The exterminator comes once a month, and he came while we...

Based on 26 reviews