Chico Basin Tented Camp

Part of a real working cattle ranch managed by experienced cowboys and cowgirls, the Chico Basin Tented Camp offers guests the chance to escape the modern world and refine horsemanship skills in a remote environment that celebrates one of America's oldest living traditions: Ranching. The experienced team at Chico Basin have been camping out for many years during large cattle works, annual bison roundups, spring brandings and fall gathers. Led by seasoned professionals, each week at the ranch is slightly different and focuses on different aspects of ranch life. Guests will be taught how to connect with horses on a deeper level and encouraged to develop a greater understanding of authentic American cowboy culture.

Each morning, you’ll wake to fresh coffee and a home-made breakfast cooked over a fire before you head down to the stables to saddle your horse at sunrise. Head out as the sun comes up to move the herds from pasture to pasture and spend your days on horseback learning how to better communicate with these incredible horses and develop skills of how to handle them during the challenging process of moving and working cattle. In the afternoons, you might be repairing fences, checking water or working in the leather shop depending on the needs of the livestock. With one-on-one horsemanship instruction and educational demonstrations, each day will bring with it new insights into the world of American ranching and a rewarding opportunity to explore the role it plays in protecting the ecosystem and it's wildlife.

After a hard day’s work on the ranch, enjoy a hot outdoor shower and relax in camp before dinner is called by the team. Expect bison pot roast, local produce salads, fresh dutch oven baked breads and a glass of wine while watching the mellow sunset over the distant Pikes Peak. When dinner is over, take the conversation to the crackling camp fire or retire early to your cosy lantern-lit tent, tastefully furnished by Filson. We think there is no better way to connect with the ranch’s natural surroundings than to enjoy home-cooked meals whilst enjoying sweeping panoramas of the Colorado prairie and relaxing under the stars.