Good to know
Everything worth knowing before you book.
The river and the stairs, cell service and Wi-Fi, dogs, the hot tub, RVs, check-in and checkout.
Everything worth knowing before you book.
The river and the stairs, cell service and Wi-Fi, dogs, the hot tub, RVs, check-in and checkout.
Good to know
Good to know before you book
Yes, we say yes to most dogs. Send a note about your pup when you book (there's a pet fee). Plenty of guests bring dogs, and they love it here.
The Middle St. Vrain is a rocky mountain river, shallow to medium depth depending on the season, with a few spots 5 to 6 feet deep. It runs high, cold and fast with spring runoff into early summer, then drops to a gentle wade by late summer, when it's great for kids to splash in with an adult close by. A calm pool by the newest little beach makes a natural cold plunge (see below). Conditions change through the season, so ask us what it's doing before you plan your days, and always keep an eye on children near the water.
Yes, a natural one. By the newest little beach the river settles into a calm pool about four feet deep. Most plungers aim for 50 to 59°F, and the water here sits in the 50s through summer and early fall, dropping into the 40s by late fall and the 30s in winter. Spring runoff is high and fast, so skip it until the water settles. Never plunge alone, keep it to a minute or two, keep children out of the plunge pool, and check with your doctor first if you have a heart condition or are pregnant.
A fallen log spans the creek to a sandy beach directly across the river. It's a natural log, not a bridge: slick when wet, and the creek runs high and fast with snowmelt into early summer. Not recommended for children without an adult.
A lot. Fly fishing and rock-hopping are out the door; a hike to Miller Rock starts from camp (ask us for directions); Hall Ranch's world-class mountain biking is ~20 minutes; the quiet Wild Basin side of Rocky Mountain National Park is ~15; Eldora skiing is ~30 with no interstate; and Lyons (Planet Bluegrass, breweries, dining) is ~15 to 20 down the canyon.
A hot tub is coming in 2027, on the terrace between the cabins and the river, with the creek below. It'll be a fine way to end a day at Eldora or in the park.
The historic cabins sleep up to 20 in total and are ideal for families, small private retreats, and group stays, subject to property rules and approved occupancy. Book a single cabin or the whole camp. A fourth cabin, The Miller (three bedrooms, one bath), opens in 2027.
Mostly quiet. Book a single cabin or the whole camp for a private stay on this stretch of the St. Vrain. You'll hear the occasional car or motorcycle on Highway 7, and while the fire pit areas are fairly private, you may see a neighboring guest or a neighbor out on a nearby trail. It's a mountain neighborhood, not the middle of nowhere.
The property suits small private gatherings, intimate ceremonies, and family celebrations, subject to property rules and approved occupancy. Get in touch with what you have in mind and we'll tell you honestly whether it's a fit.
There are several ways down. The Schaeffer and The Ranch sit about thirty feet above the river, and a staircase with railings and the trails lead down to the sandy beaches, fire pits and riverside gathering area. If anyone in your group can't do stairs, or you're hauling coolers and gear, drive down the shared driveway to the river. The Riffle sits right beside the water.
Yes. The cabins, the patio, the fireplace, the hot tub (coming 2027), the great lawn and the sport court are all on the upper level, reachable from parking without steps. To get to the river, take the staircase, the trails, or the shared driveway. Each cabin has a few steps to the door. Ask us about specific needs before booking and we'll sort it out in advance.
There's Wi-Fi in the cabins. Cell service is intermittent past Lyons (Allenspark has some), so put the camp address in your GPS before you leave Lyons, download boarding passes and playlists, and save the Wi-Fi details somewhere you can reach without a signal.
You won't really need it. At about 7,350 feet the canyon cools off fast, so the routine is windows open at night with ceiling fans throughout. If you like a little extra, The Riffle has a mini-split for heat and A/C, and on a hot week, portable AC units may be available on request.
Not usually in summer. It's 15 to 20 minutes up paved Highway 7 from Lyons, fully rebuilt in 2022. In winter or snow, AWD/4WD is recommended. A second parking area at the road end opens directly onto Riverside Drive.
Limited RV accommodation may be available by prior approval. Ask us before you book so we can confirm what fits.
Stock up in Boulder, Longmont or Estes Park (25 to 40 minutes) on your way in. For basics, Lyons (15 to 20 minutes) has St. Vrain Market, and Ferncliff (about 10 minutes, toward Allenspark) has a small market and gas station. Instacart has delivered to camp from Safeway.
We provide linens and bath towels; soap, shampoo and conditioner; a drip coffee maker with filters and a bag of coffee; a new dish brush; OFF bug spray; flashlights; a first aid kit; and new smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in each cabin. There are no dishwashers, so plan to hand-wash. Bring your groceries and cooking staples, plus beach towels, life jackets for kids, and sand toys if you'd like them.
The cabins are smoke-free: no smoking or vaping of any kind inside the cabins, including cannabis. Outside, please step well away from the cabins and trees, and put butts out in the ash can provided. Never toss one: in a dry canyon, a single ember can start a wildfire.
Self check-in after 3:00 PM; checkout by 11:00 AM. Each cabin has a lockbox by the front door; we'll send directions, your lockbox code, and Wi-Fi details before you arrive.
Ready when you are
Family gatherings, small private retreats, fishing trips, and mountain getaways. Check dates for a single cabin or the whole camp on Airbnb, or email us to ask about availability and plan your stay.
Whole-camp booking on Airbnb · oldsevenrivercamp@gmail.com