Camp West—Colorado mountain riverfront guest ranch resort for sale

Situated in one of Colorado’s most beautiful mountain valleys is Camp West, a mountain retreat that has previously been used as a Christian camp. Camp West sits along Anthracite Creek as it tumbles out of the Elk Mountains between Crested Butte and Aspen. The camp has a wide set of improvements, including a 3-BR, 2-BA director’s home, 100-person chapel, kitchen and dining room, 12 guest cabins, two garages, 1,450 feet of river frontage, and two separate parcels totaling 51 acres. The property can sleep over 80 people. The views and setting are spectacular, with National Forest access less than two miles away. The parcels sit astride both banks of Anthracite Creek with a beautiful flat meadow, and then climb up a timbered slope to a mountain viewpoint. The elevation is 6,800 feet at the lodge, which means the meadow is covered in snow over the winter, but still easily accessible.

The owner has ongoing renovations and maintenance items to address, the property has been priced to sell accordingly.

Current ownership has recently acquired Star Link internet, with download speeds of 120 MBPS download and 12 MBPS upload speed.

Colorado mountain retreat between Aspen, Crested Butte, Glenwood Springs, and Paonia

Camp West enjoys one of the most spectacular settings in the Rocky Mountains. Year-round access is via Gunnison County Road 12, which begins at the bottom of Paonia Reservoir and heads 28 miles from Camp West over Kebler Pass to Crested Butte—one of the most spectacular routes in the Rocky Mountains. Paonia, which is known for its beautiful fruit orchards and vineyards, is 20 miles to the west; Carbondale and Glenwood Springs are 45-55 miles to the north, and Aspen is about 1.5 hours away. Just up the road a couple of miles from the camp is the Erickson Springs campground and the Dark Canyon trail into the Raggeds Wilderness.

Potential Commercial Riverfront Guest Camp and RV Park for Sale

Being located in Gunnison County's non-incorporated area, the camp is currently held as a non-profit entity. A change in zoning from non-profit to a proposed commercial use would likely require permitting through Gunnison County's 'Land Use Resolution' application process. This process is in place to approve proposed uses on properties located in non-incorporated areas. With submittal of a plan, Gunnison County will evaluate surface disturbances, potential effects to the watershed, environment, and other factors. With the camp having a history of hosting upwards of 100 campers, a new, proposed commercial use with a decreased capacity, less environmental impact, and better amenities while also protecting the wildlife lands would likely be more favorable.

Riverfront bed-and-breakfast lodge & camp for sale near Crested Butte

Camp West is located in Gunnison County, which has strict land-use codes that restrict development. It would take great effort to establish a new resort property to accomplish the same uses as Camp West. Its potential uses include those as a resort, Christian camp, wedding venue, RV park, hunting lodge, outfitting business, bed-and-breakfast, spiritual retreat, and many other hospitality uses. Some of the guest cabins are outdated and need improvements, but the bigger picture is that the property can be re-developed for a new and current vision while grandfathered under its current and historical use.

Colorado recreation property—hunting, fly-fishing, 4-wheeling, horseback riding, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling

The area around Camp West is rich in game, with excellent elk and mule deer hunting, fly-fishing, hiking, and hundreds of miles of ATV and horse trails. Anthracite Creek offers world-class fly-fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and brown trout right on the property. The World Record Elk was harvested in Dark Canyon, a few miles to the east of Camp West, in 1899. The Gunnison National Forest is only two miles to the east of the camp, with hundreds of square miles of untouched wilderness. Winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling are unparalleled in the area.

Future Development Potential -- Mountain RV Resort, Corporate Retreat, Outfitting Business, Church Camp

The location, assets, and destination appeal for the property lend itself well as a guest retreat. With the post-covid market, the ownership has received many requests for RV owners to park on site. A savvy investor may realize the multiple uses of the property from an RV campground, or other hospitality businesses. With the location between Crested Butte and Aspen, Colorado, it's an ideal stopping point for campers and outdoorsy clients alike.