Buckhorn Ranger Station
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee Ng
The Buckhorn Ranger Station has three cabins, an office and large garage. In August 2022, the Buckhorn Ranger Station was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Buckhorn Ranger Cabin was built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The 1941 electrical plans for the Ranger Station called for off-grid wind power generation. All five buildings at the complex are powered by a sustainable off-grid solar and battery micro-grid installed in 2024.
Guests need to bring bedding, including pillows, blankets and/or sleeping bags, as well as towels, toiletry items, and food and beverages. Cooking pots, table and chairs, dishes, and utensils are provided.
The Ranger Cabin is a fully-furnished two-bedroom cabin with indoor plumbing and electricity. It can accommodate up to six people and has two single beds in one bedroom, a queen bed in the second bedroom and a futon in the living room. The cabin is also equipped with a woodstove. The kitchen has running water, a stove and oven, refrigerator, microwave, and toaster.
The Assistant Ranger Cabin is a one-bedroom cabin with two twin beds and a futon in the living room. The cabin has a propane heater, a full kitchen with gas stove and refrigerator, and a bathroom with shower.
The Bunkhouse is an efficiency cabin that is planned to be wheelchair accessible. It has a kitchen with eating area and a small living room/bedroom area. It is planned to be available in 2025.
Beyond the specific cabin details above, the overall facility has a two fire pits, a horseshoe court and charcoal grills.
Need to Know
The cabins remain locked, and a combination will be provided upon booking. You can also call the Forest Service office at 970-295-6600, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST, Monday through Friday, to obtain a combination code.
Elevation can pose a hazard; learn more about altitude illness
The nearest services are an hour or more away in Fort Collins or Loveland
Pets (including dogs) and livestock are not allowed at the cabins.
The number of guests is limited; additional camping on-site is prohibited.
Click here to learn more about the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland.
This is black bear country. Dispose of waste properly in a bear proof dumpster outside and provided trash cans inside the cabin.
Natural Features
The Buckhorn Ranger Station is located on a large broad open terrace in the narrow Buckhorn Canyon just off Box Elder Creek, a tributary of Buckhorn Creek. West and East White Pine Mountains are located to the north, Lookout Mountain and Crystal Mountain are located to the south and Pingree Pass and the Mummy Range are located to the west.
Nearby Attractions
The Golden Eagle Disc Golf Course is locate just across Larimer County Road 44H.
Recreation
Danner Hill Trail (AKA Donner Pass Trail) is located just north of the site and heads to the south towards Lookout Mountain. Forest Road 100 (West White Pine Road) heads north of the site to the original location of the West White Pine Fire Lookout that was relocated by helicopter to Fort Collins, Colorado.
The area is popular for biking, hiking, OHV and motorized riding, hunting, and scenic drives.
Contact Information
Physical
32317 Buckhorn Road (Larimer County Road 44H) Bellevue CO 80512
Mailing
2150 Centre Ave Building E Fort Collins CO 80526
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 970-295-6600
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
The site 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’ 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.
Available Campsites
- Site Buckhorn Ranger Cabin, Loop Buckhorn, Type Cabin Electric
- Site Buckhorn Assistant Ranger Cabin, Loop Buckhorn, Type Cabin Electric
- Site Buckhorn Bunkhouse, Loop Buckhorn, Type Cabin Electric
