Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Apart from camping, Westcliffe does not have a lot of sleeping options. Do note that the
Sangres see a lot of bear activity, and the Forest Service recommends that you take extra
precautions down here if you're camping. Abundant open campsites can be found at
nearby Middle Taylor Creek SWA and DeWeese SWA, and on local USFS lands. Middle
Taylor Creek is about 8 miles northeast of Westcliffe; DeWeese is about 4 miles northeast.
Alvarado Campground
( 877-444-6777;
www.recreation.gov
;
County Rd 140; campsites $18; May-mid-Oct; )
Up at 9000ft,
this campground has 47 reservable sites. Head south from Westcliffe on Hwy 69 for 3½
miles and turn right (west) on Custer County Rd 140 (Schoolfield Rd); it's 7 miles from
here. It's located close to the Comanche-Venable Loop Trail.
CAMPGROUND
$
CAMPGROUND
$
Lake Creek Campground
(County Rd 198; tent & small RVs $15; late May-Sep; )
This first-come, first-served campground
has 11 sites and offers access to the Rainbow Trail north of Westcliffe. To get here, travel
15 miles north on Hwy 69 to Hillside (store and post office), then turn left on Custer
County Rd 198; it's 4 miles to the campsites and USFS Trail 300 to Rainbow Lake.
Courtyard Country Inn
( 719-783-9616;
www.courtyardcountryinn.com
; 410 Main St; d $100-110; )
This eclectic,
friendly spot features a lovely central courtyard, bedecked with flowers and graced with a
variety of birds in spring and summer. The buildings are over a century old (the back
rooms are a converted chicken house - nicer than it sounds) and Mo and John make a
great continental breakfast with homemade bread and fresh-ground coffee. It's a very wel-
coming place.
B&B
$$
