Duncan Cabin
Closed — Currently closed for the season. Reservations available through Recreation.gov. No water available on-site; visitors must bring their own or obtain water at Saguache Ranger District office during business hours from Memorial Day through November.
Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness
This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.
Weed Free Forage Products
The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.
Occupancy and Use Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to protect the public health and safety in the Rocky Mountain Region. This Order is supplemental to and does not rescind or replace those restrictions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A, or any Forest Supervisor Order issued under 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart B.
Cave Closure and Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White nose syndrome and to protect bat species during critical biological periods.
Fall/Winter Slash Pile Burns Planned
Rio Grande National Forest announced today their winter slash pile burning plans. As conditions allow, fire crews plan to burn numerous piles of woody debris from timber sale and thinning project areas across the Rio Grande National Forest. This year’s pile burn areas include:
Motor Vehicle Seasonal Groomed Road Closures
This special order is to protect public safety by preventing damage to groomed snowmobile and cross-country ski routes.
Wolf Creek Pass Winter Recreation Area
This special order restricts parking, camping and snowmobile use at Wolf Creek Pass.
Food Storage Regulations
This special order covers food storage restrictions from April 1 to December 1 annually, within recreation sites across the entire Rio Grande National Forest.
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Occupancy & Use
This special order covers the entire Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area including the portion on the San Isabel National Forest. The includes restrictions on group size, camping, campfires, horse use, dogs, switchback cutting, and wagon or cart use.
Beaver Creek Recreation Area Use Restrictions
This special order restricts camping, parking, and dogs in the Beaver Creek Recreation Area. It also prohibits boats at Million Reservoir.
Big Meadows Recreation Area Use Regulations
This special order prohibits camping, parking, campfire and stove use, and restricts dogs within the Big Meadows Recreation area on the Divide Ranger District.
Camping limit on Rio Grande National Forest
This special order establishes a 14-day camping limit within a continuous 30-day period anywhere on the Rio Grande National Forest.
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Goat Restriction
This special order prohibits the use of goats in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness and Recommended Wilderness areas.
La Garita Wilderness Use Restrictions
This special order covers the entire La Garita Wilderness area including portions on the Gunnison National Forest. The order restricts group size, camping, campfire and stove use, equipment storing, horse use, dogs, and cutting switchbacks on trails.
Weminuche Wilderness and South San Juan Wilderness Restrictions
This special order restricts group use, horse use, camping, campfires, and dogs in the Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas.
Spectacle Lake Restriction
This special order prohibits anyone from being in Spectacle Lake due to biological considerations.
Camping Restriction N. Crestone Trailhead
This special order restricts camping at the North Crestone Trailhead.
Forest Road #950 N. Crestone Closure
This special order closes FSR # 950, near Crestone, seasonally from November 25 to May 1 annually.
Park Creek Road Speed Limit
This special order establishes a 25 MPH speed limit on FSR # 380 Park Creek Road.
Alamosa Canyon Speed Limit
This special order establishes a speed limit of 20 MPH or less on FSR # 250 in the Alamosa Canyon.
Rito Hondo Day Use Area
This special order restricts parking, camping, boat use, and campfire use around the Rito Hondo Dam.
Road Canyon Reservoir Day Use Area
This special order restricts parking, camping and campfire uses in the area around Road Canyon Reservoir #1.
Conejos Canyon Roads and Camping Restrictions
This special order restricts the vehicle use and parking and limits camping to designated areas on FSR# 250 along the Conejos River.
About
Duncan Cabin offers a unique backcountry cabin rental experience in Rio Grande National Forest, located 11.8 miles southeast of Crestone, Colorado. Built in the 1880s, this historic one-room cabin sits at 8,120 feet elevation on a west-facing slope with panoramic views of the San Luis Valley. The cabin is one of the last remaining structures from the historic Duncan townsite. Reaching the cabin requires a 4-mile journey from Liberty Gate trailhead via hiking, mountain biking, or horseback only. The trail consists mostly of sandy and rocky terrain with a stream crossing 2 miles from the trailhead. Visitors must drive Forest Service Road 952 (rough and bumpy) for 5 miles to reach Liberty Gate, where motorized access ends. The cabin accommodates up to 6 people with two bunk beds (single bed on top, fold-out futon couch below). Basic amenities include a wood stove for heat, table and chairs, cooking utensils, and some pots and pans. Outside facilities include a picnic table, fire pit, vault toilet, and restored corral that can accommodate 2-3 horses. The cabin has no electricity or water on-site; guests must pack in all water or obtain it from Pole Creek located approximately 1,500 feet from the cabin. Water is also available at the Saguache Ranger District office during business hours from Memorial Day through November. Cell phone service is available at the cabin. The surrounding landscape features pinon, juniper, and rabbitbrush vegetation with large herds of elk, pronghorn, and mule deer. The location provides excellent access to hiking trails and is near Great Sand Dunes National Park, designated as an International Dark Sky Park.
Directions
From Moffat on Highway 17, turn towards Crestone on County Road T for 12 miles. Turn right at Camino Baca Grande Road for 2 miles, then right at Camino Real Road. Follow for 3.4 miles and turn left at Camino Del Ray. Continue roughly 2.5 miles to the top of the hill. Turn right at Camino Baca Grande where pavement ends. Continue on rough road to Forest Service Road 952 gateway. Drive 5 miles on very rough and bumpy road to Liberty Gate. From Liberty Gate, hike, bike, or horseback 4 miles to cabin. Stream crossing 2 miles from trailhead. Stay on FSR 952 at Deadman Creek turnoff.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $40 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| mailroom_r2_rio_grande@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (719) 655-2547 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
Photos
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