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Hilltop view at Chavara Ranch

89%

39 reviews

· Salida, Chaffee, Colorado

288 acres hosted by Chavara G.

4 RV/tent sites · 3 RV sites · 3 tent sites

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

This historic ranch was settled in the 1880s in the upper Arkansas River Valley. You have hiking access to over 280 acres and the cows, sheep and horses grazing on the pastures. I have owned the ranch since 2005 and have spent my time re-vitalizing this amazing place. There are even several gravesites on the property from the 1880s. Your glamping/camping site is unequaled on top of a ridge that overlooks the Arkansas Valley and the Town of Salida. The other direction looks at the 14,000 ft Mt Shavano and the iconic Angel of Shavano. Recently added is a central area for all Hipcamp guests that includes an area to play horse shoes and a fire pit. Additional amenities will be added throughout the season!

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

Desert

Forest

River, stream, or creek

Mountainous

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Tent sites 3 sites

Instant book

Site #4 - Tent Site with Fire Pit

94% (8)

Tent site · Sleeps 8

This site is a great choice for tent campers who want open views, quiet surroundings, and a simple setup that still feels inviting. Surrounded by native prairie grass and wide skies, it offers a clear line of sight to sunrise and sunset, with mountain silhouettes in the distance and plenty of room to unwind. Amenities: Easy walking distance to the shared fire pit, porta potty, and horseshoe area Room for one tent with space to spread out comfortably Access to over 280 acres of ranch land for hiking, wildlife spotting, or wandering at your own pace What to Expect: The ground here is level and solid—easy to pitch on, with no hassle. During the day, you’ll have long views in every direction and the chance to spot mule deer, hawks, and the ranch animals moving across the open pastures. Nights are calm and dark, ideal for stargazing or winding down by the fire. There’s no water or electricity, so come prepared to camp fully off-grid. But what it lacks in hookups, it makes up for in space, quiet, and atmosphere. It’s a great match for campers who value simplicity, wide open land, and the kind of setting that makes you want to stay a little longer. The central fire pit area is close by and open to all guests—a laid-back space where people sometimes gather for a casual chat or a game of horseshoes.

Instant book

Site #1 - Tent Site with Fire Pit

80% (5)

Tent site · Sleeps 8

This tent-only site is tucked into a quiet corner of the ranch, surrounded by native prairie grass and low brush. It’s set apart from other sites, offering a little more privacy and a clear view of the open landscape. There’s no vehicle traffic nearby, so once you’re settled in, it’s just the sounds of wind, birds, and the occasional rustle in the grass. Amenities: Short walk to the shared fire pit and horseshoe area Porta potty nearby Room for one tent and space to spread out Access to over 280 acres of ranch land for hiking, walking, and quiet exploration What to Expect: The ground here is flat and easy to set up on, with enough open space to catch sunrise on one side and sunset on the other. Nights are dark and quiet—ideal for stargazing. During the day, you’ll likely spot mule deer, hawks, or the ranch’s grazing animals moving across the property. There’s no water or power at the site, so come prepared to camp off-grid. It’s a good match for campers who want to stay somewhere calm, minimal, and rooted in the landscape. No distractions, no crowds—just open space and time to take it in. If you want to stretch your legs or meet other campers, the central fire pit area is a short walk away and open to all guests. It’s a low-key gathering spot where people sometimes share a drink or a game of horseshoes at sunset. Simple, quiet, and intentionally bare-bones—just a good spot to pitch a tent and take a breath.

Site #3 - Tent Site with Fire Pit

RV/tent sites 4 sites

Instant book

Site #10 - Tent or RV

RV/tent site · Sleeps 8 · Vehicles under 30 ft

Site #10 has an area of sand surface for your comfort where you can set up your own tent and other camping essentials or choose to park a small camper. Additionally there is access to a portable bathroom, and of course an amazing views of the mountains and surrounding areas. There is also an on-site common area with a fire pit and a horse shoe pit.

Instant book

Site #2 -Tent/RV Site with Fire Pit

Booked 8 times

RV/tent site · Sleeps 8 · Vehicles under 30 ft

This site offers a flexible setup for tent campers, vans, and smaller rigs. It's perched on a rise with clear, open views in every direction—including sweeping shots of the Arkansas Valley below and the Collegiate Peaks beyond. Mt. Shavano is front and center, with the Angel of Shavano clearly visible on most days. The ground is flat and firm, with plenty of room to park, pitch, and relax. Whether you're rolling in with a small camper or packing light with a tent, the space is easy to make your own. Amenities: Walkable access to the shared fire pit, porta potty, and horseshoe area Space for tents or compact vehicles (no hookups) Direct access to over 280 acres of hiking, open space, and natural terrain What to Expect: This site catches first light in the morning and holds onto the last color at night. It’s a great spot for early risers, sky-watchers, or anyone looking to take in the natural rhythm of the valley without distraction. There’s a steady breeze, wide skies, and plenty of space to spread out. You’ll likely hear birds at dawn and see wildlife in the distance—this part of the ranch tends to stay quiet even when other sites are full. At night, the stars come out strong, with minimal light interference and a clear horizon. This is a solid, no-frills site for travelers who care more about the view than the extras. Simple setup, big scenery, and space to just be outside.

RV/tent site · Sleeps 8 · Vehicles under 30 ft

Site #8 has an area of sand surface for your comfort where you can set up your own tent and other camping essentials or choose to park up a small camper. Additionally there is access to a portable bathroom, and of course an amazing views of the mountains and surrounding areas. There is also an on-site common area with a fire pit and a horse shoe pit.

RV/tent site · Sleeps 8 · Vehicles under 30 ft

Site #9 has an area of sand surface for your comfort where you can set up your own tent and other camping essentials or choose to park a small camper. Additionally there is access to a portable bathroom, and of course an amazing views of the mountains and surrounding areas. There is also an on-site common area with a fire pit and a horse shoe pit.

RV sites 3 sites

Instant book

RV Site (Site #7)

81% (8)

Vehicle site · Sleeps 8 · Vehicles under 50 ft

This site sits high on the property with wide-open views of the Arkansas Valley, the town of Salida, and the surrounding peaks—including a direct line of sight to 14,000 ft Mt. Shavano and the Angel of Shavano. It’s set apart from other sites, offering a little more privacy and a clear view of the open landscape. It’s one of the most scenic spots on the ranch, especially at sunrise and sunset. The elevation gives it a sense of space and stillness that’s hard to beat. The site is level and spacious, making it a good fit for both RVs and tents. It’s easy to pull in and set up without much hassle, and there's still plenty of room to spread out. Amenities: Short walk to the central fire pit, horseshoe area, and porta potty Room for RVs, vans, trailers, or tent setups Direct access to hiking and open space across 280+ acres of ranch land No hookups, but flat and accessible for most rigs What to Expect: Expect long views, wide skies, and quiet nights. This spot is ideal for campers who want open space without losing access to communal amenities. You'll likely see deer or elk in the distance, hear coyotes at night, and catch golden-hour light that stretches across the valley. There’s no water or power, so come prepared to be self-sufficient. The communal area is nearby if you want a campfire, a casual game of horseshoes, or a chat with fellow campers. Whether you're here with an RV, a roof tent, or just a sleeping bag and a plan to watch the stars, this site offers space, scenery, and easy access to everything the ranch has to offer. It's simple, wide open, and full of Colorado sky.

Site #6 - Pull Through RV Site

75% (4)

Vehicle site · Sleeps 8 · Vehicles under 50 ft

This pull-through site is built with RV travelers in mind. It offers a smooth, level surface and an easy in-and-out layout—no tricky backing up or tight turns. Whether you’re arriving late, leaving early, or just want a low-effort setup, this site keeps it simple. Located on higher ground, it looks straight out toward Mt. Shavano and the Angel of Shavano. On clear days, you’ll have a direct view of the peaks rising above the valley. It’s a quiet, open stretch of the property with some of the best sunrise and sunset views on the ranch. Amenities: Pull-through layout for RVs, trailers, vans, or campers Flat site with space to set up comfortably Short walk to porta potty, fire pit, and horseshoe area Access to 280+ acres of ranch land for hiking and exploring What to Expect: This is a no-hookups site, so come prepared to camp off-grid. The space is ideal for travelers who want room to breathe without giving up the basics. You’ll have quick access to the communal area if you want to join others by the fire or play a few rounds of horseshoes. At night, the skies are wide open—perfect for stargazing. During the day, it’s quiet and calm, with a mix of wildlife, distant mountain views, and that high-elevation stillness you only find in Colorado. It’s a great stop for RVers looking for simplicity, scenery, and a comfortable place to land for a night—or a few.

Site #5 - RV Pull Through Site

Booked 1 time

Vehicle site · Sleeps 8 · Vehicles under 50 ft

Reviews

89% Recommend45 ratings · 39 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Spacious area with nice views. Easy to access. Easy to find also.

Jason W.

5 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Incredible views, clean site, quiet

Easy directions to follow in the dark, incredibly clean camp sites, well-marked and separated from other sites. Trash bin onsite, horseshoe pit, chairs and table provided, fire rings at each site. Extremely quiet, gorgeous dark skies to see the stars.

Amy T.

3 reviews

Mixed feelings

· September 2024

Beautiful but painfully spiky

Here are the cons: cactuses everywhere. This makes it impossible to not get cactus needles in your feet, ankles, shins, hands. The RV site does not have a tent pad which was communicated prior, it does not have a fire ring either, making any fire constantly blowing embers amongst campers. Single roll of toilet paper in the small Porter potty, no hand sanitizer in the bathroom dispenser. It was my understanding that there would be cows, horses and other animals on the property but the piece of land is not set like that. It’s elevated which makes for beautiful views. There is definitely sound from multiple helicopter and flights going in and out throughout the day, this didn’t happen throughout the night. We had 3 dogs with us and I would not recommend anybody with pets to bring them. The amount of cactus spines in humans and pets was bonkers lol. Last con, there was zero shade! No spots to put hammocks & the ground was covered with rocks so until to bury poles to put up tarps for sun protection. The pros: we had the enter space to ourselves, no one else was there. Because it’s elevated, you truly have beautiful views over the town and mountains. The stars are incredible at night time! Overall the site was beautiful and our group had a great time, however, we would not come back to this spot mostly due to the grounds.

Aims Z.

8 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2024

Chavara Ranch was a hit!

We loved camping at Chavara! The hilltop has great views of the surrounding mountains and it an 8 minute drive to the heart of Salida. 100% worth the drive from Denver - would go back in a Heartbeat.

Stuart W.

9 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2024

Beautiful view - hot and weedy

The view from the hilltop was really beautiful and it was easy to find and get to. The spot is surrounded by mountains on all sides. We took a hike on Waterdog trail, which was a bit challenging for elevation, but beautiful on the top. The site is developing, and has a few issues. There is very little shade, so we tended to huddle under a tree in the group firepit area. All the spots are pretty small, and close together- very little privacy. In campsite 4, we couldn't actually have a fire b/c its right next to prairie grass, and it was pretty windy. The area is also filled with weeds, and our dog's fur got covered in goat heads and spear grass seeds (they look like little arrows), that required quite a bit of attention when we got home.

Dawn L.

7 reviews

Mixed feelings

· June 2024

Great views, cactuses galore

Got the job done, but left some things to be desired. The campsites are marked, but some of them don’t quite seem like sites at all, some don’t have fire rings and lots and lots of cactuses and goat heads. We still had fun, but we’ve been picking pricklies off of everything. Views were great, could hear the road but it wasn’t too bad.

Ann P.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· June 2024

Great spot outside of Salida. Porta potty was clean and having a trash can nearby was really nice. This is my second time staying here and I’d do it again…. The views are lovely.

Sean M.

2 reviews

Recommends

· June 2024

Great location. Clean, large #7 site but it does have a lot of cactus and no fire ring. Some road noise but not bad at night. We were in a van and couldn’t hear anything when inside.

Crickett S.

2 reviews

Recommends

· May 2024

Great close spot to Brown's Canyon

Great spot, out of the way but close to town, stopped here on a busy weekend to raft Brown's Canyon.

Allen K.

1 year on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· May 2024

Tent site #1

We stayed at Site #1. It’s nice it was close to town and easy off-roading. Could tell they recently put some fresh dirt/sand down on the site. Porta potty was pretty clean. We couldnt find a fire ring at our site so it seems that only some have dedicated fire rings. Also the ground was very hard/rocky so tough to stake down tent I do agree with others that the price is steep for limited amenities. We stayed one night then moved on to BLM land.

Ginny R.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2023

Nice for a night or two.

This was a decent site. I would stay again when in the area.

Cyndy M.

4 reviews

Recommends

· September 2023

We loved the views from site #7. It was quiet and peaceful and had plenty of room. Stay on the driveway and in the campsites as there is a solid layer of cacti elsewhere. Best to keep dogs on a leash so they don’t get thorns in their paws. Otherwise it was a lovely spot. I recommend bringing a foldable table as there are no picnic tables.

Rebecca M.

4 reviews

Recommends

· September 2023

Great camping near downtown Salida

This campsite has everything you need for an enjoyable experience. Great views and very close to downtown Salida. We would stay here again.

Michael H.

2 years on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· August 2023

The campground has beautiful views in a great location. If you want to be near town, this is a good spot. This particular site is small and the area has a lot of small cactus, which are hard to avoid. Know that before you come and wear boots.

Daniel C.

6 reviews

Mixed feelings

· August 2023

Nice location and great views.

The location and views from this site are fantastic. It is very close to town, and you have great views all around. The ground has a lot of small, cactus that make for difficult walking. Just be aware of that.

Daniel C.

6 reviews

Recommends

· August 2023

Was a very peaceful weekend. The yurt had everything I needed. Plenty of space and comfortable.

Michael M.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2023

Great spot for the night!

I highly recommend looking at the camp map before choosing your spot. As others said, it is across the street from the airport (no planes while I was there but it has a light) and pretty close to the road. I was at site #1 and had no problems watching the stars, there’s plenty of trees. The view was great, Porta potty clean, and there’s even a trash can.

Kat S.

8 reviews

Recommends

· August 2023

Great place and views comfy bed! Great location! Loved it !!

Kaitlyn M.

4 reviews

Recommends

· August 2023

SO COOL! We absolutely loved staying the yurt, excellent views from the site & very comfortable bed.

Meaghan D.

1 year on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· August 2023

Know what you are getting into

Given the right expectations, this could be a great Basecamp. Pros: Campsite contact very responsive. Pro: Close to Salida. Pro: Games on site: horseshoes, croquet, & cornhole. Cons: Only 1 small porta-potty on site for all campers. On arrivival, chemicals were fresh, but the unit felt old, dingy & very cramped = scary. (Suggestion: provide multiple units, ADA size / accessible, with hand sanitizer and a light inside.) (Another suggestion: provide outdoor hand washing stations) Con: Close to Salida. Noisy during the day, esp with the small airport across the road. Con: Fire pits only at some sites, check site details. The communal firepit at center of camp can be loud. Fortunately the other guests quieted down before dawn. (Suggestion: have guests agree to the standard campsite regulations of quiet time from 10 PM - 8AM). Con: tent camping. Perhaps a trailer would be better. Areas to place tents were small (site 7 does not have a gravel area at all!) The soil is hard (no fault of the owners, obviously) and the wind can be tent-flatteningly, awning-liftoff strong. Used rocks to try to hold things down. Con: Beware, sandal-wearers, lots of cactus. Overall: overpriced. If there was a bathhouse with a flushing toilet, showers and drinkable water, I would pay $60/night (with fees). (Suggestion: more photos of sites) Not somewhere to peacefully chill, but ok as a Basecamp for exploring Salida. A shower would go a long way to make this enjoyable

Liz R.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2023

Very close to downtown Salida

We were looking for a camping spot close to downtown Salida and this spot was about a 10 minute drive which was perfect. If you are looking for a spot close to town this is it.

Nathan D.

1 year on Hipcamp

Mixed feelings

· August 2023

Lots of dry brush around the fire pit so I wasn’t comfortable using it. The tent pad was rocky and it was tough to get stakes in. Views were great!

Samantha R.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2023

Enjoying Valley view

We very enjoyed our stay at the beautiful Hilltop. Nice communal feel, large spaces. Easy communication. Special!

Mijke S.

2 reviews

Mixed feelings

· July 2023

Upon arrival we felt the need to contact the Chavara Ranch camp host regarding the site we reserved. We reserved site #7 expecting to have an area to set out tent. It was very rocky mixed with cactus, not ideal for a tent. I texted the camp host asking for a different site. Fortunately, the host was able to switch us to site #2 which was an improvement. We were closer to the bathroom but it was a very small port-a-potty. Some suggestions are: Add larger or have more than 1 port a potty, remove more cactus and maybe install some shade structures. I believe this would improve the camping experience at Chavara Ranch. Horse shoes and corn hole where a bonus. Overall, I would not stay at Chavara again. The campsites were too exposed to wind and sun and I didn’t enjoy the air and road traffic noise. The host did respond quickly to my questions.

Tanya L.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2023

Such a fun camping experience! Beautiful spot with great views, but still a convenient location. Loved all the special touches inside the yurt and around the campsite. You can tell the owners put a lot of thought and effort into it. We'll be back, and highly recommend!

Maryann J.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2023

Great spot. Will go back. Great directions and communication from host

Matt B.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2023

There was an issue with the booking and it was resolved very quickly and professionally.

Miles S.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2023

Great spot, great host, terrific views, very close to town, highly recommend staying here!

John G.

2 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2023

Three nights with a view

Great view! We arrived in a thunder hailstorm. Went and got dinner. Came back and it was already drying out. We got to watch the storm go off down the valley with rainbows and all.

Sean R.

5 reviews

Recommends

· June 2023

This place was awesome!! Beautiful view and very accessible to downtown Salida, will definitely come back :)

Katie D.

2 years on Hipcamp

Location

Salida, Chaffee, Colorado, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Chavara G.

Joined in March 2022

Response rate: 100%

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Hilltop view at Chavara Ranch

Hosted by Chavara G.

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