Crescent Mining Camp

Show on map 719-486-0749 (INFORMATION ONLY, NO RESERVATIONS)

LEADVILLE RANGER DISTRICT, 810 FRONT STREET
LEADVILLE, CO 80461

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.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Pets allowed: all 1 sites
Largest party: 6 people

Directions

From Buena Vista, Colorado, head north about 17 miles on Highway 24. Turn left on County Road 390 heading west. Drive about 9 miles and turn south on the cabin access drive which is gated; the cabins will be visible immediately on the right. There are 4 cabins; the rentable cabins are the first two and will be clearly marked with 1 and 2.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

28 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

1 stars

Brandy P

Loop:Crescent Mining

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Mice kept us up all night

Aaron N

Loop:Crescent Mining

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Very good primitive cabin experience. Beautiful, historic location. It was nice having the whole site to myself included in rent. Decent fishing in Clear creek on site. The two drawbacks are that the cabins are at a junction of two 4x4 roads (390 & 381) with periodic 4x4 traffic. Not a huge deal but not as isolated as you'd think. The other drawback is the cabins are infested with rodents. Cabin #1 was way worse than #2 so I opted to sleep in #2. There was lots of steel wool stuffed into the cracks of #2 hindering the mice and rats. Cabin #1 didn't appear to have the same care. I was prepared with a covered cot tent. It would be a good place with a group of people. Overall a good experience.

Dan R

Loop:Crescent Mining

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

this is a great place, but the only real concern is the wood rat that visited the inside of cabin #1 in the middle of the night. I did not have any food or products that smell so not to attacked mice. There were no mice droppings inside the cabin, but plenty of rat droppings, even when I arrived. This can't be healthy. The north west corner of the floor had hail screen over holes, but I scared the wood rat out probably where he can in, since I had the door wide open. The wood rat left from NW corner along floor in chinking, between logs. The out house is immaculate. Great location.

Shanel L

Loop:Crescent Mining

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

Wonderful location in the canyon. Having an established firepit and bathroom was a nice luxury. We had a bull moose come through the first morning! There were mice in cabin 1. Unfortunately we had to sleep in our vehicle on our 2nd night because of a bat in cabin 2. Next time we'll bring the pop up or tent vs relying on the cabins. Our dogs has so much fun exploring and playing in the water. We look forward to coming back.

Jenna T

Loop:Crescent Mining

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

Beautiful location. Near Clear Creek and plenty of hiking trails. We did have mice in cabin 1 even with no food in the cabin. No bear sightings. Clean bathroom.

Jeremy G

Loop:Crescent Mining

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

What a beautiful place! You definitely need a higher clearance vehicle as the drive in has a few tricky spots but it is well worth it. Be sure to bring ALL necessary supplies as there is nothing nearby. The outhouse was in great condition and honestly the cleanest one I’ve ever seen. We can’t wait to go back next year for a longer stay!

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve