Cabin accommodations near Cascade, Colorado extend beyond basic sleeping quarters, with varied options for seasonal use. Mountain cabin rentals in this region commonly require strategic planning due to their popularity during peak periods. Most cabins in the Colorado San Juan Mountains sit above 7,000 feet elevation, creating unique challenges and opportunities for visitors.
What to do
Fishing access: Cabins at Priest Gulch Campground and RV Park provide convenient access to the Dolores River. "We stumbled upon a 5 lb. cutthroat last week, browns, rainbows, fishing is good," notes one visitor, highlighting the productive fishing spots directly accessible from the cabin area.
Mountain biking: Several trails connect directly from Little Molas Lake Campground, making cabin stays convenient for cyclists. "The Colorado Trail passes right through the campground. There are great trails heading out of the campground in both directions," explains a reviewer who used their cabin as a home base for trail riding.
Historical exploration: Mesa Verde National Park cabin accommodations allow for early morning access to archaeological sites. "Staying here makes for an easy morning before some ranger led tours. The park is big. If you have the option to stay here, stay here," advises a camper who maximized their time by staying within the park boundaries.
What campers like
Riverside locations: Water proximity ranks highly among cabin visitors at Junction West Durango Riverside Resort. "Nice campground right on the Animas River. Facilities are clean, huge laundry room, pool and a small restaurant on sight," notes a guest who appreciated the waterfront setting combined with amenities.
Complimentary extras: Some cabin providers include unexpected perks. "Tent sites were $20 a night for 2 people. Small store for any basics you may have forgotten/ran out of. Soft serve ice cream available," explains a visitor who discovered additional amenities beyond standard cabin features.
Firewood provisions: Unlike many areas that charge for firewood, some cabins include it with rental. "They offer free firewood, shower facilities, and laundry along with a camp store. The property is immaculately maintained," mentions a visitor to Priest Gulch Campground, noting this cost-saving benefit.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Mountain cabin rentals face unique challenges during shoulder seasons. "We left a night early bc we're not prepared for below freezing," reports a visitor who encountered unexpected cold at Morefield Campground. Many cabins require disconnecting water lines overnight when temperatures drop below freezing.
Road noise factors: Highway proximity affects some cabin locations. "As soon as it got dark, the semis started trucking through, and that's all that was heard throughout the night," cautions a Little Molas Lake visitor, noting the proximity to mountain highways impacts sleep quality.
Seasonal closures: Many cabin facilities operate on limited schedules. "Closes Tomorrow September 29 for the season," notes a late-season visitor to Silverton Lakes RV Resort, highlighting the importance of checking operational dates when planning cabin stays outside summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Families consistently rate swimming facilities highly when evaluating cabin stays. "The pool was welcome relief for the kids and we enjoyed talking to fellow campers visiting from around the country," mentions a visitor to HTR Durango Campground, emphasizing this amenity's importance for children.
Cabin sizing: Understanding sleeping capacity prevents overcrowding. "We also stayed in a cabin to give kids more trailer room. There was a queen bed and a bunk (so 4 could sleep easy)," explains a family that supplemented their RV with a cabin to create additional space for comfort.
Playground availability: For families with younger children, on-site activities matter. "We have a beautiful location with river front sites, a pool, amazing pizza, ice cream, clean facilities," notes a visitor at a Durango cabin site, listing the family-friendly amenities that enhanced their stay.
Tips from RVers
Electrical considerations: RVers using cabins as supplementary accommodations should verify power compatibility. "Thank God we had the surge protector and that I tested the outlet before plugging into the RV. The monitor indicated reverse polarity so we ended up having to move to another site," cautions a visitor at Blue Spruce RV Park & Cabins.
Elevation adaptations: High-altitude cabins create operational challenges for generators and equipment. "Elevation is about 10,300 and posed a problem for our generator that caused severe spark-plug fouling. But, re-jetting the carburetor from a #61 to #58 solved the problem," shares an RVer who encountered and resolved altitude-related mechanical issues.
Winter preparation: Seasonal cabin users need specialized equipment. "Owners required disconnecting water at night to prevent their water pipes from freezing and bursting," notes a September visitor, explaining how even early fall stays require winter protocols at higher elevations.
