A wooden cabin with a green roof and a covered porch is surrounded by towering pines at Camp Hale in Colorado.

Camp Hale Cabins

Tucked between quaking aspen groves and tall pines among the jagged peaks of the Gore Range, the Camp Hale Cabins are a rustic getaway in Red Cliff near Minturn, Vail and Beaver Creek — and they offer Colorado explorers the perfect blend of cozy, rugged and educational.

These little lodges exude Rocky Mountain charm with homey bedrooms and crackling fireplaces. In the morning, step onto the private wood patio to breathe crisp mountain air, trek winding trails or dip a line in rushing rivers and streams. When it’s time to retreat for the evening, you'll find everything you need for a comfortable stay, from a fully equipped kitchen to satellite TVs and Wi-Fi.

What makes it special?

This tranquil spot is not only abundant in natural beauty, but also teeming with rich Vail Valley history. Camp Hale’s alpine terrain was a training site for the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division during WWII, and it’s now designated as Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument. Here, soldiers braved snowy conditions while mastering cold-weather survival skills, including mountain climbing and Nordic skiing. See remnants of bygone times by booking a summer ATV or winter snowmobile tour with Nova Guides, who will lead you through the grounds on a zippy vehicle and tell you all about the region’s past. Opt for a sunset tour to snack on local cheeses, juicy fruit and spicy beef jerky.

The most Colorado thing about this place

It’s gotta be the expansive White River National Forest trail system, right down the road from your digs. For a challenge, traverse a segment of the Colorado Trail with an 11-mile, out-and-back hike from Camp Hale to Kokomo Pass, which has stunning high-mountain outlooks and a tumbling waterfall. Or go even farther by hopping on an off-road vehicle and exploring paths like McAllister Gulch, which zigzags up to sweeping valleys and crystal-clear views of Resolution and Hornsilver mountains.

Coolest amenity

Now that’s going to vary cabin to cabin — but Eagle River Chalet features a private movie theater complete with buttery leather recliners and vintage movie posters. The humbler Cozy Cabins One, Two and Three bring you closer to nature with breezy front porches, where you can sit and chat among the trees.

Top sensory encounter you’ll experience

Since you’re smack-dab in the middle of a high-elevation national forest, this area is perfect for stargazing. Turn the lights off at your cabin, plop a chair down and stare up at twinkling constellations and the shimmering depths of the Milky Way.

Pro tip: If you’re visiting for the allure of the sparkling night sky specifically, the best time of year to book is late summer to mid-autumn.

Our favorite traveler review

“It’s the perfect cabin in the mountains with a beautiful landscape and view! The property was such a great location for hiking around with the dogs, and close to [three or four] great ski resorts! There’s a comfy living area with plenty of room around the large table for families or groups.” — Nick, airbnb

Things to see & do nearby

If your happy place is carving down Colorado’s powdery slopes, you’re in luck. These cabins are not only open all winter long; they’re mere miles from legendary ski areas like Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Resort and Ski Cooper.

Spend an afternoon strolling through Bavarian-style architecture in Vail Village, dining at MICHELIN-recommended restaurants like Sweet Basil and shopping at luxury boutiques like The Golden Bear jewelry store. Or catch a groovy concert at the famous Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, where you can sip wine and spy on the craggy Gore Range from your picnic blanket.

 

Photos courtesy of Camp Hale