Wilderness Camp Rental
Anyone can rent a condo or motel….You can Rent the Weminuche Wilderness!
- Put Your Family in a Colorado Postcard and see stars like never before
- Sit Around a Campfire with your Family and Friends (group size limited to 20 people)
- Fish the Upper Animas or Needle Creek
- Hike into Chicago Basin to: Back Country Ski or Mountaineer Pigeon & Turret Peaks
- Take a layover day on your Upper Animas Rafting/Kayaking Expedition
- Start or end your hike across the 3rd largest wilderness in the lower 48, the Weminuche
- Have a wedding no one will ever forget
Two ways to get there…
Ride an 1880 steam train from Durango to our wilderness camp. The train winds through the Animas Valley up through the Rockwood Gorge. It carries you up into the mountains comfortably so your relaxing vacation or extreme expedition can start immediately.
OR
Hike the Purgatory Trail, 11 miles (approx. 6 hours) through magnificent scenery from Cascade Creek down to the Animas River. The trail then winds along the river where you’ll see deer, wildflowers and spectacular 14,000 ft. peaks on your your walk to the Needleton Bar & Grill.
Once in camp a Mountain Waters employee/zen master/grand story teller and jack of all trades (master of none) will orient you to the area, go over leave no trace ethics, and show you where to get after it. You are now poised on the edge of the largest wilderness in the State of Colorado, The Weminuche Wilderness. The camp includes a kitchen with all the amenities and tarps for sleeping under should it rain. Hike to Chicago Basin, fish the Animas River, play horseshoes, climb a peak or read a good book (or a bad book, its all you baby. This place is pure magic!
| Camp Rental (1 day/night only) | $600 per night for up to 20 people |
|---|---|
| Camp Rental (2+ days) | $400 per night for up to 20 people |
| Extra Camp Help | $150 per day, required for over 10 people |
| Food Purchase (per day) -estimate | $25 per person depending on how gourmet you want to get |
| Sleeping Bag & Pad Rental | $10 per night per person |
| Tent Rental | $10 per night per tent |
| Shuttle to Purgatory Trail | $50 for 10 people in our van, $150 for more than 10 people in our bus |
Mountain Waters Upper Animas Deluxe Base Camp: the envy of all the area's outfitters
Mountain Waters Upper Animas Deluxe Base Camp: the envy of all the area's outfitters
Our Elk Hunting Drop Camp is Available Sept. 1st – October 31st
Situated in the Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan Mountains, the Needleton Wilderness Camp is the ideal drop camp for your fall elk hunting expedition.
Our Elk Hunting Drop Camp Includes:
Elk Hunt Drop Camp
- Fully equipped covered kitchen with grills, propane, etc.
- Camp support personnel (not a hunting guide)
- Sleeping gear & tent rental available
- Optional meal planning & purchasing
- Covered sleeping area
- Hot Showers
- Horse Shoes
- Whiskey Stash
- Horses Welcome
Cancellation Policy
We conform to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad cancellation policy. Train ticket refunds/Cancellations are subject to a fee of $14.00 per adult ticket and $7.00 per child ticket if cancelled prior to 48 hours of your reserved date. There are no refunds issued on reservations cancelled less than 48 hours of your reserved date.
Train Tickets and food purchase are not included with the camp rental. We will be happy to purchase your necessary train tickets and shop for you and add the cost to your bill.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad will haul your gear and food to within 1/2 mile of camp for a minimal freight charge.
