Off Cow Camp Cabin

About

Off Cow Camp Cabin is a small historic cabin tucked into a high meadow at 10,500 feet elevation on Burro Creek in Colorado's Rio Grande National Forest. Originally a cow camp, the cabin and adjacent barn were renovated in 2010. The rustic one-room structure sleeps four guests on two bunk beds and includes a wood-burning cook stove, table and chairs, fire ring, and vault toilet. A fenced pasture accommodates horses and livestock. Reaching the cabin requires travel on the Burro Creek Trail #873, a moderate-to-difficult multi-use trail. From the upper trailhead the cabin is 1.5 miles; from the lower trailhead it's 6 miles. Passenger vehicles cannot reach the cabin. Access is by foot, horseback, mountain bike, motorcycle, or ATV (50-inch width maximum). ATVs must park on the trail and visitors walk approximately 150 feet uphill to the cabin. The surrounding area offers hunting, hiking, OHV riding, horseback riding, mountain biking, and fishing. Bennett Peak rises to 13,200 feet southeast of the cabin. Fitton Guard Station, another rental cabin, sits 400 yards upstream. Bears frequent the area so proper food storage is required. There is no potable water; Burro Creek provides water that must be treated before drinking.

Directions

Access is from the Burro Creek Trailheads via Trail #873. From the west side of Del Norte, head south on County Road 14 for 12 miles to the lower Burro Creek Trailhead; the cabin is 6 miles upstream. The upper trailhead is 28 miles from Del Norte via Forest Service Roads 329 and 329.1C; the cabin is 1.5 miles from there. Passenger vehicles cannot drive to the cabin. A combination code is required for entry; call the Divide Ranger District during business hours to obtain it.