By:
Submission
4WD recommended.
Completely surrounded by National Forest in the heart of the Rockies at 10,600 feet in elevation, Sawatch Base Camp is one of a kind 10-acre former turquoise claim offering environmentally-friendly, accessible yet private backcountry glamping lodging.
About a two hour drive from Denver, Sawatch Base Camp is located 6 miles northwest of Leadville, Colorado and 1 mile north of Turquoise Lake. The property is perched on a hill overlooking the Arkansas Headwaters Valley, historic City of Leadville and the Mosquito Range with 14er Mt. Sherman beyond. This prime location gives quick access to all the best outdoor recreation of the High Rockies. Trailheads, fishing areas, 14ers and much more are all just minutes from the front door.
Sawatch Base Camp lies along County Road 9A (Turquoise Chief Rd) that provides 4WD/AWD vehicle access in dry months. The road doubles as part of the Leadville 100 MTB course and is popular with mountain bikers throughout the summer months for training and recreation.
In winter months (roughly Thanksgiving to mid-May), the camp is accessible by snowmobile, ski and snowshoe via public multi-use winter trails, providing year-round access to the camp.
Our backcountry lodging is designed to have minimal impact on the landscape, intentionally rustic while also providing glamping amenities like a wood stove, solar lighting, plush beds and a roomy indoor space to gather family and friends.
What an awesome place! Our stay in Sawatch Base Camp's Chief Turquoise yurt-cabin was an incredible get away for us and our dog.
We enjoyed a relaxing and quiet stay with endless views, great hiking and biking right out the front door!
We 100% plan to return.
We decided we wanted a night away from our small but very popular mountain town. We came across this fantastic yurt and thought this might be perfect. We couldn’t have been more right. This beautiful little yurt is nestled in the Sawatch mountain range about 20 minutes outside of Leadville. Making it super convenient for anything you may have forgotten for your trip.
Key points of our trip I loved:
· The view is amazing. Make sure to make time for the sunsets and the sunrise, but most importantly the Moon rise. If you’re here during a full moon man, are you in luck? There is a skylight and a telescope for all my stargazing friends out there!
· It's pet friendly which is key for my family of three!
· The grill and patio set up are perfect for an outdoor dinner!
· The bench below is great for after-dinner cocktails!
· There's a fire pit so be sure to pack the smores!
· Board Games and books of local birds and flora there as well!
· We brought the bikes. There is a great trail called the mineral belt trail to ride/cross-country ski close by.
This really is a fantastic little spot with enormous views. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a trip to get together with some friends, this yurt is a great spot to break away from the hustle and bustle of life and take some time to get back to nature.
My partner and I used Sawatch Base Camp as our home away from home for a weekend in Leadville with our two dogs. We couldn’t have asked for a better location, host, or cabin. I never expected a short two hour drive from Denver to provide us with the levels of beauty and seclusion that we were able to soak in. We arrived on Friday afternoon and were able to easily unpack our goods and get them settled in the cabin quickly. Our dogs were able to explore while we put a fire together in the provided SoloStove, which made starting a fire a breeze. With the fire providing us some extra light, we cooked dinner on the provided grill, and were able to enjoy our dinner with a bottle of wine, warmed by the fire and with a stunning sunset over the Sawatch range. A truly romantic evening was topped off with just how amazing the cabin/yurt was on the inside.
We’ve done a lot of camping over the years, and we love how camping provides an opportunity to reset and just soak up the simplicities of life. Our least favorite part? Sleeping. We can never get a good night sleep, and we’ve tried everything outside of hauling our bed from home up with us. Being able to have a cozy, private cabin to spend the night in was amazing. The setup provides everything you would need. A small kitchenette allows for easy food prep and offers everything you would need to cook up an entire meal including a propane camping grill. A couch provided an additional resting spot for both us and our dogs, and the dining table was great for playing some of the provided games. With a wood burning stove to keep us warm in the evenings, we were able to comfortably read and relax around the inside without being too cold. But the true gem of the setup is the skylight that provided views of the night sky as we laid in the bed. Waking up well rested meant we were able to make some coffee and enjoy the early morning hours.
Over the course of the weekend, we were able to quickly access hikes, get back into town for inevitably forgotten supplies, explore the land, and we even found some turquoise! Overall, the weekend could not have gone better and the cabin deserves a lot of credit in creating a special get away for our anniversary celebration. We will absolutely be going back!!
We had such a wonderful time at Sawatch Base Camp! Hiked in from the parking lot in about 4.5 hours. Spent a lovely evening cuddling up next to the fire and snacking on a cheese plate the host was able to sled up for us, all while enjoying the views of Turquoise Lake and Leadville. There was a small dusting of snow which made the next morning waking up extremely magical. We sipped coffee, straightened up, and headed out on our journey back. We were able to reach our vehicle in just about 3 hours. Overall, I highly recommend this yurt experience to anyone who loves the outdoors.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars- A Wilderness Gem!
My wife and I recently had the most magical four days at this Yurt, and we cannot stop raving about this hidden gem!🌲✨
From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the stunning surroundings—the perfect blend of tranquility and adventure. The yurt itself was not only cozy and well-equipped but also nestled in a picturesque spot that felt like a private slice of heaven.
The attention to detail was outstanding. The thoughtful amenities, from the well-stocked kitchen to the comfy sleeping quarters, made us feel right at home. We enjoyed quiet evenings by the warm wood stove, gazing at the star-lit sky through the yurt's skylight—a truly enchanting experience.
The hosts were incredibly accommodating and friendly, ensuring we had everything we needed for a seamless stay. Their passion for the outdoors and commitment to sustainability added an extra layer of appreciation for our Yurt experience.
The hiking trails nearby were a nature lover's dream, offering breathtaking views and a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It was the perfect retreat to reconnect with each other and with nature.
If you are a couple looking for a romantic getaway, Sawatch Base Camp Yurt is an absolute must-visit. Thank you to the hosts for creating such a unique haven in the wilderness. We're already planning our next escape to this piece of paradise!🏞️❤️
