Nearby Attractions
South Park basin has more to offer than you'd expect
Annual Event • ~August
Badger Bass Camp Festival
Colorado's underground bass music & arts festival, right in Hartsel. 3 days of music and camping. 2026 dates TBA — badgerbasscamp.com.
~20 min drive • Hartsel
Highline Cafe & Saloon
12799 Hwy 24. Burgers, chicken fried steak, cold drinks. Mon-Sat from 6 AM. The bacon cheddar buffalo burger is the move.
~20 min drive • Hartsel
Zuccaro's Kitchen
12787 US-24. Family-owned BBQ and smoked meats. Thu-Sun. Fresh ingredients, real recipes. Worth planning around.
15 min drive
Antero Reservoir
First dam on the South Platte (1909). Trout fishing and boating with mountain views in every direction.
10-20 min
The Dream Stream
Gold-medal fly fishing on the South Platte between Spinney and Eleven Mile reservoirs. World-class trout water.
25 min drive
Eleven Mile State Park
5 miles of trails, boating, fishing, and some of the best stargazing in Colorado.
30-45 min
Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Endless hiking, biking, and backcountry. Access east on Highway 24.
30 min
Fairplay & South Park City
Historic mining town, open-air museum, shops, restaurants. Yes — that South Park.
45 min
Princeton Hot Springs
Geothermal pools near Buena Vista with views of Mt. Princeton. Post-camping recovery.
45 min - 1 hr
Arkansas River Rafting
Class II-IV rapids near Buena Vista/Salida. Half and full day outfitter trips.
A few miles south • CR 102
Guffey, CO
Quirky little mountain town with cafes, a bar, and historic log buildings. A great side trip for a meal or a cold drink after a day on the land.
Plan extra time for the dirt road. The sites are accessed via Shawnee Trail, an unpaved road. Budget an extra ~20 minutes each way beyond what your GPS says. All drive times above are estimated from the campsites, not from Hartsel town center.
Packing & Preparation
You're camping at ~9,000 ft in the Colorado high desert. Come prepared.
ABSOLUTELY NO OPEN FIRES
This is high desert grassland. One spark can burn thousands of acres.
Cooking on portable gas/propane stoves only. The only permitted open flame. No campfires, no charcoal, no wood burning. No exceptions.
Sun & Heat (Daytime)
- High-SPF sunscreen — UV is brutal at 9,000 ft
- Sunglasses and a wide-brim hat
- Lightweight breathable layers
- Shade canopy if you have one
Cold & Wind (Evening)
- Temps drop fast after sunset — bring warm layers
- Sleeping bag rated 30°F or lower
- Wind-resistant tent — the plains are breezy
- Beanie, gloves, jacket — even in summer
Water & Altitude
- Bring more water than you think. None on site.
- You're 3,000+ ft above Denver — altitude hits different
- An oxygen boost canister isn't a bad backup
- Take it easy on arrival day if unacclimated
Sanitation
- No bathrooms on site. Come 100% prepared.
- Portable toilet or WAG bags required
- Pack out ALL waste. Everything. No exceptions.
- Hand sanitizer and biodegradable soap
Vehicle & Access
- 4x4/AWD strongly recommended
- No RVs or oversized vehicles
- Plastic tire blocks for extended parking
- Tow strap and basic recovery gear
Cooking & Food
- Gas/propane stove (ONLY permitted flame)
- Store all food in your vehicle — always
- Cooler with ice for perishables
- Trash bags — pack out everything
Navigation
- Cell service available but spotty in bad weather
- Download offline maps before arrival
- Tell someone your plans and return time
- Headlamp + extra batteries
Nice-to-Haves
- Camp chairs and a table
- Binoculars for wildlife
- Star chart or app — stargazing is world-class
- Camera — you'll want to remember this
Rules & Safety
Simple rules. Cheap prices. Help us keep it that way.
ABSOLUTELY NO OPEN FIRES
Gas/propane stoves only. No campfires, charcoal, or wood burning. High desert — nobody wants that smoke.
Site Rules
- No RVs or oversized vehicles. Standard vehicles only.
- 4x4/AWD strongly recommended.
- Plastic tire blocks recommended for extended stays.
- Leave No Trace. Pack out everything. No exceptions.
- No bathrooms on site. Bring your own sanitation.
- Observe capacity limits (tents, vehicles, guests).
- No hiking on adjacent land or private properties. Use designated public trails and land in the area.
Conduct
- No open drug or alcohol use. Keep it private.
- No hunting on the property. Relaxation zone.
- Firearms permitted but must never be brandished or publicly displayed. We respect 2A and hunters, but fellow campers deserve peace.
- Keep noise reasonable, especially after 10 PM.
- Be kind. Be respectful. Be a good neighbor.
Wildlife & Safety
- Watch the horizon for bears and the ground for snakes.
- Store food in your vehicle. Never leave food/trash outside.
- Weather changes fast at 9,000 ft. Be prepared.
- Cell service available — download offline maps as backup.
- 3,000+ ft above Denver. Hydrate aggressively.
Our Promise & Refunds
- We always refund before asking a guest to do something unsafe.
- Can't safely reach your site? Full refund.
- Conditions feel unsafe? We refund. No questions.
- Sites are closed in winter but you can book ahead for the upcoming season.
- Edge-season (early spring, late fall): access not guaranteed, refund always guaranteed.
- You are empowered and responsible for your own safety.
Follow the rules so we can keep the prices cheap.
We want this accessible to everyone. Help us keep it that way.
We want this accessible to everyone. Help us keep it that way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there water on site?+
No. There is no water, electricity, or plumbing on site. Bring all the water you need — and then bring more. You're at 9,000 ft and the altitude will dehydrate you faster than you expect.
Are there bathrooms?+
No bathroom facilities. Bring a portable toilet or WAG bags. Pack out all waste with no exceptions. This is Leave No Trace camping.
Can I bring my dog?+
Respectful, well-trained dogs are welcome! They must be leashed at all times, cleaned up after, and under your control. If a dog can't be a kind neighbor to fellow campers, you'll be asked to leave. Remember there is wildlife (bears, snakes) in the area — keep your pup close. Pack out all pet waste.
Is there cell service?+
Yes — cell service is generally available in the area. That said, it can be spotty in bad weather. Download offline maps before you arrive and tell someone your plans.
What if it rains or weather is bad?+
Weather changes fast at 9,000 ft. If conditions are unsafe before your trip, we'll refund you. If you arrive and can't safely reach your site, we'll refund you. We will never ask you to do something unsafe. Bring layers and be prepared for anything.
Do I need a 4x4?+
Strongly recommended. Shawnee Trail is a dirt road and conditions vary. In dry weather, most vehicles can make it. After rain, 4x4/AWD is essential. If you can't reach your site, we refund — no questions asked.
Can I have a campfire?+
Absolutely not. No open fires of any kind. This is high desert grassland and fire danger is real. The only permitted flame is a portable gas/propane stove for cooking.
How do I find my site?+
After booking, you'll receive exact GPS coordinates and step-by-step access instructions. Download offline maps before you leave. Navigate to your coordinates once on Shawnee Trail.
Can I book during winter?+
Sites are closed during winter months, but you can absolutely book ahead for the upcoming season. Lock in your dates early — especially around Badger Bass Camp weekend.
What's the cancellation policy?+
We're flexible. If conditions are unsafe, you get a full refund automatically. For personal cancellations, just let us know in advance and we'll work with you. We'd rather have happy future campers than a no-refund policy.
What Campers Are Saying
We're new — and we'd love your review.
Hartsel Hideaway just launched and we're building something special. Book a stay and be one of our first reviewers. Early campers help shape what this place becomes.
Terms, Cancellations & Legal
We keep it simple. Happy campers are more important than fine print.
Cancellation Policy
- We want future happy campers more than we want your money. If something comes up, reach out and we'll work with you.
- 14+ days before check-in: Full refund, no questions asked.
- 7–13 days before check-in: 50% refund, or full credit toward a future booking.
- Less than 7 days: We'll do our best — reach out directly at book@outposts.camp.
- Weather / access cancellations: Always a full refund. If you can't safely reach your site, you don't pay. No exceptions.
- Edge season (early spring, late fall): Access is not guaranteed but your refund always is.
Assumption of Risk
- All campsites are on private, undeveloped land in Park County, Colorado at approximately 9,000 feet elevation.
- There are no facilities, bathrooms, water, electricity, or staff on site.
- Guests assume full responsibility for their own safety, including weather, terrain, wildlife, and access conditions.
- Outposts Camp is not liable for injuries, property damage, vehicle damage, or losses incurred on the property.
- By booking, you acknowledge these conditions and accept responsibility for your safety and the safety of your group.
- You must be 18 years of age or older to make a reservation.
Property Rules & Liability
- Guests are responsible for all damage to the property caused by their party.
- No open fires under any circumstances. Violation may result in removal without refund and liability for fire damages.
- Guests must comply with all Park County, Colorado, and federal laws while on the property.
- Outposts Camp reserves the right to revoke access without refund for violations of safety rules or conduct policies.
- Sites are rented for the dates specified only. Overstay may result in additional charges.
Privacy & Contact
- Your personal information (name, email, phone) is used only to manage your booking and send confirmation details.
- We do not sell or share your data with third parties.
- Payment is processed securely by Stripe. We never store your card details.
- Questions or concerns? Email us at book@outposts.camp — we're real people and we respond.
The spirit of all of this: We'd rather give you a refund and have you come back as a happy camper than win an argument. Book with confidence.