Reservations are required at Sawatch Base Camp, a yurt-based site outside Leadville that runs $199 per night. The access road is rough, so drivers should plan accordingly before arrival. The yurt includes a wood stove, kitchen, and skylight, and the site provides drinking water, picnic tables, firewood, cell service, and trash pickup. Pets are welcome. At least one reviewer noted leftover pet hair from prior guests, so those with allergies may want to confirm cleaning protocols before booking. Nearby, Tabor Campground and San Isabel National Forest Baby Doe Campground offer tent and RV alternatives in the same forested corridor if the yurt is unavailable.
Description
4WD recommended.
Completely surrounded by National Forest in the heart of the Rockies at 10,600 feet in elevation, Sawatch Base Camp is one of a kind 10-acre former turquoise claim offering environmentally-friendly, accessible yet private backcountry glamping lodging.
About a two hour drive from Denver, Sawatch Base Camp is located 6 miles northwest of Leadville, Colorado and 1 mile north of Turquoise Lake. The property is perched on a hill overlooking the Arkansas Headwaters Valley, historic City of Leadville and the Mosquito Range with 14er Mt. Sherman beyond. This prime location gives quick access to all the best outdoor recreation of the High Rockies. Trailheads, fishing areas, 14ers and much more are all just minutes from the front door.
Sawatch Base Camp lies along County Road 9A (Turquoise Chief Rd) that provides 4WD/AWD vehicle access in dry months. The road doubles as part of the Leadville 100 MTB course and is popular with mountain bikers throughout the summer months for training and recreation.
In winter months (roughly Thanksgiving to mid-May), the camp is accessible by snowmobile, ski and snowshoe via public multi-use winter trails, providing year-round access to the camp.
Our backcountry lodging is designed to have minimal impact on the landscape, intentionally rustic while also providing glamping amenities like a wood stove, solar lighting, plush beds and a roomy indoor space to gather family and friends.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSawatch Base Camp is located in Colorado near Leadville
Coordinates
39.28721336092446 N
106.3782966296703 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 6/25/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/26/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 6/25/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/26/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Yurts
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 25 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 35 min from Boulder, CO
- 2 hrs 55 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 3 hrs 11 min from Fort Collins, CO
