Alpine Ranger Station

The Alpine Ranger Station is situated on the Alpine Plateau at 9,600 feet, in a beautiful alpine valley surrounded by aspen, spruce and fir forest. With inspiring views and multiple nearby recreation opportunities, it is just the place for a quiet and historic retreat with a few modern amenities. Surrounded by miles of National Forest, visitors can enjoy several hiking and mountain biking trails as well as OHV use, including ATV and motorcycle routes. The ranger station has a horse barn and small corral, offering the opportunity for horseback riding. The Uncompahgre Wilderness is adjacent to the station, and a trailhead to Uncompahgre Peak, a popular 14'er, is only a mile away. Visitors can expect two semi-rustic cabins with some modern amenities. The main cabin has a semi-modernized kitchen with a propane cooking stove, refrigerator and sink, solar electric lighting and a pot belly wood stove, and accommodates up to four people in two bunk beds with four twin-size mattresses. The other cabin has a queen bed on the ground level and a loft. A separate bathhouse a few feet from the main cabin has a vault toilet. Basic kitchen supplies such as pots, pans and silverware are provided, as are cleaning supplies, and guests are required to clean before they leave. Guests should bring their own bedding and towels, and plan to pack it in, pack it out, taking their trash with them. The Ranger Station is located near the end of Forest Service Road 868, adjacent to Blue Creek and Soldier Creek. This beautiful area offers many scenic viewing opportunities, including the Cannibal Plateau and the Uncompahgre Wilderness, and is close to many hiking and fishing opportunities. The small town of Lake City, about an hour's drive from the cabins, has two small grocery stores, a gas station and a few restaurants.