DAWSON CABIN

About DAWSON CABIN

Overview Dawson Cabin provides campers with a rustic, remote getaway in the beautiful Clear Creek Canyon. The Clear Creek Historical District offers visitors a taste of mining history from the mid-19th Century, when people came far and wide looking for gold, silver and other precious minerals. By the 1890s, about 50,000 residents lived in the valley, in search of great fortune. Recreation Off-road vehicle trails and hiking trails are nearby. Some hiking trails lead into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, which is named for the numerous 14,000 ft. peaks named after colleges, such as Yale, Harvard and Princeton. Collegiate Peaks is the headwaters for the Arkansas, Gunnison, and Roaring Fork Rivers. The landscape is composed of alpine tundra, high lake basins and glacial river valleys. Facilities The cabin comfortably fits up to four guests, but two additional guests may fit. Camping outside is permitted as well. Furnishings include a wood burning stove and an indoor picnic table. Guests should bring cots to sleep on, or at least bring a pad to sleep on the floor. No water or electricity is available. Guests should bring plenty of water. Creek water may be boiled and treated for consumption. Other items to pack include bedding, food, lanterns, matches, cooking utensils, dish soap and a first aid kit. (Click here for more cabin details.) Natural Features Dawson Cabin is nestled at the base of Ervin Peak in Clear Creek Canyon, at an elevation of about 9,600 feet. It is on the outskirts of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. Clear Creek passes near the cabin. The cabin is located in the Leadville Ranger District, which is home to the Sawatch Range, the highest mountain range in Colorado. These rugged, glaciated mountains form the crest of the Continental Divide. Mount Elbert, at 14,443 feet, is Colorado's highest peak and one of ten "fourteeners" located in the District. Nearby Attractions The historic town of Winfield is about 5 mil

How to Get There

From Buena Vista, Colorado, go about 15 miles north on Highway 24 towards Leadville. Turn left on County Road 390 at Clear Creek Reservoir. Go about 6 miles west on County Road 390, then turn right (north) onto the cabin driveway. The cabin is about 100 yards from the County Road. From Leadville, Colorado, go about 18 miles south on Highway 24 towards Buena Vista. Turn right on County Road 390 toward Clear Creek Reservoir. Go about 6 miles west on County Rpad 390, then turn right (north) onto the cabin driveway. The cabin is about 100 yards from the road.

What to Pack for Your Stay

Tuned to the live forecast for this park.

Plan Your Visit to DAWSON CABIN

Heading to DAWSON CABIN? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)