Crescent Mining Camp

Colorado Rockies

CRESCENT MINING CAMP in Colorado Rockies — photo 4

Crescent Mining Camp

Colorado Rockies

About this campsite

Overview

Cabin campers can escape the city - and escape modern day amenities - by staying at the fully rustic, historic Crescent Mining Camp cabins. The cabins offer a true old fashioned taste of life on the mine in the 19th century, with no electricity or running water. Visitors can focus on the sounds of nature and the incredible views of the Rocky Mountains from its creekside location. The mining camp was built in the 1890s during the boom of mining and milling in Clear Creek Canyon. Miners sought mostly gold and silver, and attracted about 50,000 residents in the valley that is now rather remote. The cabins are adjacent to a road heavily used by off-highway vehicles (OHV) but have a private drive with a locking gate. Crescent Mining camp is a good location for OHV enthusiasts, but not visitors seeking quiet and solitude

Recreation

Off-road vehicle trails begin near the site of the cabins and hiking trailheads are within several miles. The most popular trails lead into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, which boasts nine mountain peaks over 14,000 feet.

Facilities

There are four cabins at Crescent, but only cabins Numbered 1 and 2 (one and two) are available for reservations. The two cabins are rented together; one cabin sleeps two, the other sleeps four. Visitors must bring furniture such as cots, portable tables and chairs; in addition, tent and RV camping is permitted for those who rent the site. No water, heat, electricity, or trash service is provided. Guests should bring plenty of water. Creek water may be boiled and treated for consumption. Other items to pack include cook stove, bedding, food, lanterns, matches, cooking utensils, dish soap, bring firewood or an axe to collect (dead/down trees only), and a first aid kit.

Natural Features

Crescent Mining Camp is located within the Leadville Ranger District, which is home to the Sawatch Range, the highest mountain range in Colorado. These rugged, glaciated mountains form the crest of the Continental Divide. Mount Elbert, at 14,443 feet, is Colorado's highest peak and 1 of 10 "fourteeners" located on the District.

At an elevation of approximately 10,000 feet, Crescent Mining Camp sits at the base of Ervin Peak in Clear Creek Canyon. It is on the outskirts of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. Clear Creek passes near the cabins and the Clear Creek Reservoir and the Arkansas River Valley are 9 miles east.

Nearby Attractions

The nearest spot for pay phones and a grocery store is in Buena Vista, about an hour's drive.

Visitors can head to Clear Creek Reservoir, about 9 miles east, for fishing and boating. Fish species include brook trout, brown trout and tiger muskie. A few miles further is the Arkansas River, in a section where whitewater rafting is popular.

Location

CRESCENT MINING CAMP•CO

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

FRI☀️

18° / 3°

—

SAT☁️

18° / 7°

💧 2%

SUN☁️

17° / 4°

💧 17%

TODAY☁️

17° / 5°

💧 2%

TUE🌦️

15° / 5°

💧 29%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

5.5 km away

DAWSON CABIN

Overview Dawson Cabin provides campers with a rustic, remote getaway in the beautiful Clear Creek Canyon. The Clear Creek Historical District offers visitors a taste of mining history from the mid-19th Century, when people came far and wide looking for gold, silver and other precious minerals. By the 1890s, about 50,000 residents lived in the valley, in search of great fortune. Recreation Off-road vehicle trails and hiking trails are nearby. Some hiking trails lead into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, which is named for the numerous 14,000 ft. peaks named after colleges, such as Yale, Harvard and Princeton. Collegiate Peaks is the headwaters for the Arkansas, Gunnison, and Roaring Fork Rivers. The landscape is composed of alpine tundra, high lake basins and glacial river valleys. Facilities The cabin comfortably fits up to four guests, but two additional guests may fit. Camping outside is permitted as well. Furnishings include a wood burning stove and an indoor picnic table. Guests should bring cots to sleep on, or at least bring a pad to sleep on the floor. No water or electricity is available. Guests should bring plenty of water. Creek water may be boiled and treated for consumption. Other items to pack include bedding, food, lanterns, matches, cooking utensils, dish soap and a first aid kit. ( Click here for more cabin details. ) Natural Features Dawson Cabin is nestled at the base of Ervin Peak in Clear Creek Canyon, at an elevation of about 9,600 feet. It is on the outskirts of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. Clear Creek passes near the cabin. The cabin is located in the Leadville Ranger District, which is home to the Sawatch Range, the highest mountain range in Colorado. These rugged, glaciated mountains form the crest of the Continental Divide. Mount Elbert, at 14,443 feet, is Colorado's highest peak and one of ten "fourteeners" located in the District. Nearby Attractions The historic town of Winfield is about 5 miles farther up the valley. The nearest place for pay phones and a grocery store is in Buena Vista, about a 45 minute drive. Visitors can head to Clear Creek Reservoir, about 5 miles east, for fishing and boating. Fish species include brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and tiger muskie. A few miles further is the Arkansas River, where whitewater rafting is a big hit.

8.4 km away

Parry Peak

Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Recreation It sits in a shady Aspen and Lodgepole Pine forest along the whitewaters of Lake Creek. This campground is a favorite amongst anglers with a spectacular view of Parry Peak. Access to the Continental Divide Trail is just down the road. Facilities Parry Peak Campground has 25 first-come, first-served sites. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.

8.4 km away

Parry Peak Campground

Parry Peak Campground is a first-come, first-served campground located in a shady lodgepole pine and aspenforest along the whitewaters of Lake Creek. This campground is a favorite amongst anglers with a spectacular view of Parry Peak. Access to the Continental Divide Trail is just down the road. Firewood is available for sale at the host site. High altitude sickness may occur at this altitude. Please click the link for Maps of the Twin Lakes Campgrounds During the 2021 season, water will be unavailable at this campground. Please bring water for your camp, including enough water to completely drown your fire, leaving it cold to the touch, if you are having a campfire.

8.4 km away

Twin Peaks Campground

Twin Peaks is a first-come, first-served campground located west of Twin Lakes Reservoir in a shaded aspen and lodgepole pine forest. It is located above the whitewater of Lake Creek at 9,600 feet with spectacular views of the Sawatch Range. The Continental Divide and Mount Elbert trails are in the nearby area. Firewood is available for sale at the host site. High altitude sickness may occur at this altitude. Please click on the link for Maps of the Twin Lakes Campgrounds and Twin Lakes. During the 2021 season, water will be unavailable at this campground. Please bring water for your camp, including enough water to completely drown your fire, leaving it cold to the touch, if you are having a campfire.

8.4 km away

Twin Peaks (CO)

Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Facilities Twin Peaks is a first-come, first-served campground with 35 sites. It's located west of Twin Lakes Reservoir in a shaded Aspen and Lodgepole Pine forest above the whitewater of Lake Creek. It sits at 9,600 feet with spectacular views of the Sawatch Range. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.