Camper submitted image from Elwood Cabin - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Elwood Cabin - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Elwood Cabin - 3
Buildings
Camper submitted image from Elwood Cabin - 4
Facilities
Camper submitted image from Elwood Cabin - 5
Roads

Established Camping

Elwood Cabin

Elwood Cabin is located in the Rio Grande National Forest, surrounded by forested terrain and mountain views. The area experiences temperature highs around 80°F in summer and lows near 10°F in winter. Nearby attractions include the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the Rio Grande River, offering opportunities for exploration and recreation.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Rio Grande National Forest

Overview

Elwood Cabin sits in a saddle along the San Juan Mountains overlooking an open meadow, offering guests a unique lodging opportunity. The cabin was built in 1911 by the Mountain States Telephone Company as a "line shack" to support crews maintaining the transcontinental telephone line. Remnants of this old telephone line are still found along Iron Creek to the southeast. The cabin was also used as a Forest Service Station from 1950 until 1962, serving as living quarters for Forest Service employees who worked on numerous projects in the area.Although the phone line has been abandoned, today the cabin is a high-altitude getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in south-central Colorado. During summer months the cabin can be accessed by motorized travel. During winter months access to the cabin is by snowmobiles, cross country skiing or snow shoeing.

Recreation

The area around Elwood cabin offers a variety of recreational opportunities year-round. Summertime brings excellent scenic tour opportunities in and around the Summitville area as well as exploration of several historical mining sites. Anglers have a spectacular backdrop to fishing streams such as Iron Creek or Treasure Creek. Nearby Platoro Reservoir, which feeds the Conejos River, provides excellent fishing for trout and salmon. Great hiking can be found around the area, as it spans both the Rio Grande and San Juan National Forests, as well as the South San Juan Wilderness. In winter, the Elwood cabin area can be blanketed with as much as ten feet of snow, requiring preparation and knowledge of winter travel. Snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities in the area.

Natural Features

High in the San Juan Mountains at an elevation of 11,000 feet, this cabin provides guests with views of nearby peaks, meadows filled with wildflowers and alpine forests. While staying at such a high elevation guests will notice how light plays differently on the landscape and stars blanket the sky on clear cold evenings. Elk, deer, and other wildlife are often seen in meadows adjacent to the cabin. Bear, marmot and chipmunks also call the area home.

Nearby Attractions

Summitville is a nearby ghost town where gold was first discovered in 1870, then mined until the early 1990s. When contaminants leaked off-site and flowed into the local watershed the government forced it to shut down. Now a water treatment plant is on the site as part of a federal clean up program.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Elwood Cabin is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Del Norte, take U.S. Highway 160 west to South Fork. Continue west on U.S. Highway 160 for 8 miles to Park Creek Road. Travel 15 miles on Park Creek Road to Summitville Road. Turn right on FSR 380, the cabin is about 2 miles on the left. From the junction of FSR 250 in the Alamosa Canyon and FSR 380, follow FSR 380 about 8 miles, the cabin is on the right. Access to the cabin in the summertime can be accomplished with just about any vehicle; however, when the dirt roads are wet they tend to get slick. In winter, the trail access to the Elwood Cabin is on the unplowed portion of Forest Road 380, which starts southeast from the junction, but makes a bend and continues south-southwest to the cabin. The 2 mile ski to the cabin is generally easy with a 400 foot elevation gain. The Elwood Cabin is visible below the road on a knoll projecting into a large open park. Allow from 1.5 - 2 hours or longer, depending on snow conditions, for the trip.

Coordinates

37.4041667 N
106.6386111 W

Open in Google Maps

Is Elwood Cabin sold out?

Quickly grab cancellations!

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Fair

Site Types

  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

100%
0%
0%
0%
0%

5.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 8, 2021

Elevation at Eleven Thousand

A small cabin with 2 bunk beds, two burner propane stove a few propane lights, an outhouse and plenty of firewood for the fireplace! Also has an outdoor fire pit and good views.

SiteElwood Cabin
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Elwood Cabin by Sean G., August 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Elwood Cabin by Sean G., August 8, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 14, 2017

Truly "Off the Grid"!!!

I have stayed in this cabin many times! It is located 18 miles off the paved road "HWY 160" there is no reception of any type... HEAVEN!!! The only thing you need is bedding, food, water and some reading materials. My first time there (4 days) I read Alone by Adm. Richard Byrd and a couple other books. A wonderful "re-charging event". I highly recommend!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Elwood Cabin by Jim B., July 14, 2017
  • Review photo of Elwood Cabin by Jim B., July 14, 2017
  • Review photo of Elwood Cabin by Jim B., July 14, 2017
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the max vehicle length at Elwood Cabin?

    Elwood Cabin allows vehicles up to 50 feet.

  • Does Elwood Cabin have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Elwood Cabin does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Elwood Cabin?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Elwood Cabin. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Elwood Cabin, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Elwood Cabin?

    There are 1 campsites at Elwood Cabin and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts