Buckhorn Ranger Station

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3 reviews
Buckhorn Ranger Station

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Sites

3 campsites

Season

Year-round

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Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

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Buckhorn Ranger Station
No fees available
Campsite Fees
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

Based on 3 reviews

"Reviews are very limited but generally positive, with one user calling it “AMAZING” and another giving it 4/5 while noting important limitations. Visitors appreciate the historic buildings and scenic drive, but emphasize that there are currently no public services or active ranger presence on site."

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About Buckhorn Ranger Station

Step back in time at Buckhorn Ranger Station, a beautifully preserved historic outpost nestled on a scenic terrace in Roosevelt National Forest's Buckhorn Canyon. This collection of authentic ranger buildings—including the original 1933 Ranger Cabin, Assistant Ranger Cabin, office, and garage—offers visitors a rare chance to stay in fully furnished accommodations where forest rangers once lived and worked, complete with modern kitchens and indoor plumbing alongside Box Elder Creek's gentle waters.
Historic cabin lodging on-site with three cabin units (Ranger Cabin, Assistant Ranger Cabin, and a planned Bunkhouse). No explicit mention of tent, RV, primitive, group, or glamping sites.
Historical SignificanceThe Buckhorn Ranger Station stands as a testament to Depression-era conservation efforts, with its crown jewel Ranger Cabin hand-built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. Nearly a century later, the station's exceptional preservation and historical importance earned it a coveted place on the National Register of Historic Places in August 2022. When you stay here, you're not just renting a cabin—you're becoming part of a living piece of American forest service history, walking the same wooden floors and gazing out the same windows that generations of dedicated rangers once did while protecting these mountain lands.
Natural Features and SceneryBuckhorn Station occupies a stunning natural amphitheater where Box Elder Creek meanders through a broad, sun-drenched terrace in Buckhorn Canyon. The setting feels like nature's own cathedral, with the West and East White Pine Mountains standing sentinel to the north, while Lookout Mountain and Crystal Mountain frame the southern horizon. To the west, the dramatic peaks of Pingree Pass and the legendary Mummy Range create a backdrop that changes with every shift of light, from sunrise alpenglow to purple twilight shadows. The creek's constant whisper and the surrounding ponderosa pines create an atmosphere of mountain serenity that's increasingly rare to find.
Geological RegionSituated within Roosevelt National Forest's diverse terrain, the station rests on an expansive open terrace carved by ancient geological forces in Buckhorn Canyon. Box Elder Creek, a sparkling tributary of Buckhorn Creek, has shaped this landscape over millennia, creating the perfect natural platform for the historic buildings. The site sits at the crossroads of several dramatic mountain ranges—the West and East White Pine Mountains rise to the north, Lookout Mountain and Crystal Mountain define the southern vista, while Pingree Pass and the rugged Mummy Range command the western skyline, offering visitors a 360-degree panorama of Colorado's Front Range geology at its finest.
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Campsite details

AccessibilityBunkhouse is planned to be wheelchair accessible (planned availability in 2025).
Total Campsites3 campsites
Recommended CampsitesGuests must bring bedding (pillows, blankets or sleeping bags), towels, toiletries, and food/beverages. Cooking pots, table and chairs, dishes, and utensils are provided.

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Guests Allowed Per Site
  • Ranger Cabin accommodates up to six people
  • capacities for Assistant Ranger Cabin and Bunkhouse not specified.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutFacilities are located on both the south and north sides of Larimer County Road 44H (Buckhorn Road). The complex includes three cabins, an office, a large garage, two fire pits, a horseshoe court, and charcoal grills. The Bunkhouse (efficiency cabin) is planned to be wheelchair accessible and available in 2025.

Accomodation available

Cabin lodgingCabin lodging is available for campers seeking a more sheltered and comfortable experience. These enclosed accommodations offer protection from the elements and are ideal for those who prefer not to camp in tents.

Amenities available

Showers
Fire rings
Lodging and accommodations

Activities you can enjoy

Danner Hill Trail (aka Donner Pass Trail) is located just north of the site and heads south toward Lookout Mountain; Forest Road 100 leads north toward the original West White Pine Fire Lookout site. The area is noted as popular for biking, hiking, OHV/motorized riding, hunting, and scenic drives. Golden Eagle Disc Golf Course is located just across Larimer County Road 44H.
Hiking
Danner Hill Trail (Donner Pass Trail) is immediately north of the site and provides hiking toward Lookout Mountain; other nearby forest roads offer additional routes.
Biking
The area is described as popular for biking and scenic rides on nearby roads and trails.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards


Weather at Buckhorn Ranger Station

41
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 51%
Wind: 25.5 mph
Clear sky

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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresThe site is just off Box Elder Creek, a tributary of Buckhorn Creek.

Campground Map

Buckhorn Ranger Station
Driving directionsSite is located on the south and north sides of Larimer County Road 44H (Buckhorn Road) 22 miles west of Masonville, Colorado, in the Roosevelt National Forest. The site is 165 feet east of the intersection of Forest Service Road 100, 11.6 miles west of the intersection of Buckhorn Road and Stove Prairie Road (just past mile marker 32 if driving from the east), and 1 mile east of the junction of Buckhorn Road and Monument Gulch Road.
Located directly on Larimer County Road 44H (Buckhorn Road) in Roosevelt National Forest; access described relative to local intersections and mile markers (see driving_directions).
Nearby places
Masonville — 22 miles (site is 22 miles west of Masonville).

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.0
3 reviews
Limited Reviews
Limited Reviews
Buckhorn Ranger Station has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews are very limited but generally positive, with one user calling it “AMAZING” and another giving it 4/5 while noting important limitations. Visitors appreciate the historic buildings and scenic drive, but emphasize that there are currently no public services or active ranger presence on site.
Review Summaries
Based on 3 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers like the neat, well-preserved historic buildings and the overall setting in Buckhorn Canyon. One user recommends the scenic ride/drive over Pennock Pass as part of the visit.
Based on 3 reviews

Common Concerns

The main complaint is the complete lack of public services, including no restrooms and no staff to talk to. One reviewer also notes the irony of having QR codes for information in an area with no...
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Based on 3 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Don’t plan on using any facilities here—there are no restrooms or services, so prepare accordingly. Enjoy the historic buildings from the outside and consider combining a visit with a bike ride or...
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Based on 3 reviews

Camper Quotes

"AMAZING!!!" "No public services- not even a rest room." "Just don’t plan to stop and talk to a person."
Based on 3 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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