Colorado's BSA Summer Camps

It seems a lot of troops want to try a summer camp in Colorado. So here is a list of the BSA summer camp properties located in Colorado. There are 5 summer camps open to all Scouts, plus 3 Council High Adventure bases (these usually have an older age limit). The camps are owned by four of the five Colorado Scout Councils, and by one western Kansas council (the Western Colorado Council has closed their former camp, and it is uncertain when they may acquire another).

Note that aquatic offerings may be limited or absent (noted below), and high-altitude lakes can be very cold (though two camps have a heated pool as well as a lake).

Besides the High Adventure bases, most summer camps also have older-Scout programs that may include canoeing or white water rafting, horseback riding, backpacking, rock climbing/rappelling, COPE, shooting sports (rifle, shotgun, muzzle-loader), and more.

A link to the camp's webpage, if available, or to the Council's webpage is given with each camp listing.

Listed by Council, from north to south:

BSA Summer Camps in Colorado

1. Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, Red Feather Lakes, CO

3400 acres
about 6800 ft elevation
camp has two separate camping/eating locations sharing a common program area and staff:
—Camp Jeffrey (dining hall)
—Soaring Eagle (formerly Camp Ruth Coffin) (patrol cooking)
provides 2-person tents in both camps, plus necessary patrol cooking equipment in Soaring Eagle
limited aquatics (Rowing & Canoeing only)
see Elkhorn High Adventure Base for High Adventure activities for older Scouts
Longs Peak Council, Greeley, CO, 970-330-6305

2. Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch, Elbert, CO

3300 acres
about 7000 ft elevation
2 separate Scout camps on the property, each with its own program and staff:
—Camp Cris Dobbins (dining hall)
—Camp Dietler (patrol cooking)
provides 2-person tents in both camps, plus necessary patrol cooking equipment in Camp Dietler
lake plus heated swimming pool
see Tahosa High Adventure Base for High Adventure activities for older Scouts and for troops that want to run their own summer camp
Denver Area Council, Denver, CO, 303-455-5522

3. Camp Alexander, Lake George, CO

300 acres
about 8400 ft elevation
dining hall
provides 3-person tents
lake plus heated swimming pool
Pikes Peak Council, Colorado Springs, CO, 719-634-1584

4. San Isabel Scout Ranch, Pueblo, CO

450 acres
about 9000 ft elevation
dining hall
provides 2-person tents
limited aquatics (Rowing & Canoeing only)
see Rocky Mountain High Adventure Base for High Adventure activities for older Scouts
Rocky Mountain Council, Pueblo, CO, 719-561-1220

5. Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch, Walsenburg, CO

300 acres
about 8300 ft elevation
patrol style cooking only (for 2008, dining hall meals available to first 100 to sign up, for an extra $35/person)
provides 2-person tents
troops must bring their own cooking equipment
no aquatics
Santa Fe Trail Council, Garden City, KS, 316-275-5162

Council High Adventure Bases in Colorado

1. Elkhorn High Adventure Base, Red Feather Lakes, CO

located on Ben Delatour Scout Ranch
3400 acres
about 6800 ft elevation
standard summer camp is offered at Ben Delatour Scout Ranch
Scouts must bring their own tentage, or can be rented from the camp
Longs Peak Council, Greeley, CO, 970-330-6305

2. Tahosa High Adventure Base, Ward, CO

300 acres
about 9000 ft elevation
standard summer camp is offered at Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch
Scouts must bring their own tentage
Tahosa EaglePoint provides staff support & program supplies for troops that want to plan their own summer camp; meals can be patrol cooking or in the dining hall
Denver Area Council, Denver, CO, 303-455-5522

3. Rocky Mountain High Adventure Base, Poncha Springs, CO

standard summer camp is offered at San Isabel Scout Ranch
provides 2-person tents
replaces former Packard High Adventure Base, and is located slightly south of the former Packard base
Rocky Mountain Council, Pueblo, CO, 719-561-1220

More information on all Scout camps in the USA is available in the "Scout Camps USA" book,
information available on their website (www.scoutcampsusa.com)