We prefer off the beaten path and when we rolled into Dolores, CO in our van late on the 25th of October we were happy to find Stoner on Dyrt, about 20 minutes outside town. Owner Scott greeted us with a dozen eggs from his hens, brought us wood for our fire and agreed to sit and share his story with us. It was perfect and we woke to more perfection...snow! 

He is upgrading and renovating this pocket of green on Stoner Creek with electric and water, a fire pit and an upscale BBQ grill at each site, with fairy lights along the stream, a clean and warm bathhouse and...free use of new laundry facilities! Add a menagerie of ducks, hens and turkeys for $25 a night and we decided to stay an extra day.

It's across the highway from the iconic, privately owned Stoner Ranch, a landmark in the Dolores River Valley. And Scott is determined to fulfill a dream of his by renovating this nearly 140 year old landmark, adding a camp store and amenities. 

Come summer, it will probably be full again with kids and dogs in the central "play" area. But for us, off season, it was a perfect place to land thanks to Dyrt.