Tucked away in a quiet corner of northern Colorado you’ll find the sleepy community of North Park. More commonly known as Jackson County, this sparsely populated area consists of only one incorporated town, Walden, and several satellite communities and villages scattered throughout thousands of square miles of mountains, forests, and open plains. Known to visitors as a rural community, a visit to North Park puts you up close and personal with a Colorado known only to generations past. A vast area of possibilities, solitude, rugged scenery, and spectacular views.
Fishing, hunting, backpacking, off-roading, and exploring the outdoors are the main draw to the area. North Park has no ski resorts, no theme parks or hot springs, but what it seems to lack for tourism attraction on the surface is just what some of us are looking for. There’s almost no end of things to do for outdoor recreation. North Park is arguably the best place for outdoor activities in Colorado.
So when you are visiting Jackson County, you are going to want somewhere to stay. You can find most vacation rentals on VRBO or AirBnB. Just look up vacation rentals in Walden, CO. Here’s a look at seven vacation rentals in North Park you need to check out!
Lake John Resort
For just about any outdoors enthusiast who has spent time in Jackson County, Lake John is nearly synonymous with fishing in North Park. The Lake John Resort is your gateway to lake fishing in the Colorado mountains. With a general store providing snacks, ice, fishing tackle, bait, and other essentials for your fishing trip, the Lake John Resort also boasts RV camping spots with full hookups all year long. Just a short walk to the shores of Lake John you’ll be able to set up camp and head to the water within minutes for some of the best trout fishing in Colorado. To learn more about some of the events happening at Lake John resort, check out their website and read all about the annual ice fishing tournament here.
22 West
Just a short hike from the Rainbow Lakes trailhead in the shadow of the Park Range on the west side of North Park, you’ll find a series of award winning vacation rental cabins. Four tiny home style cabins accommodate visitors with kitchenettes, places to lounge, and stunning views of Red Canyon, Mt. Zirkel, and more. 22 West ranks in the top 10% of AirBnB vacation rentals. Not just in Colorado, but in the world.
Not only is 22 West located near some of the most beautiful scenery in North Park, it is also home to our local wildlife rehabilitation center. Profits from the rental cabins go to support Deb McLachlan’s efforts to rehabilitate injured wildlife and their reintegration into the wild. She has been working for over 30 years, first as a State Forest employee, and now as an independent conservationist.
The Old Homestead Campground
Moving to the south end of Jackson county, on highway 125 near Rand, CO, you’ll find a 100 year old piece of local history. Now under new ownership, the Old Homestead finds a second wind in being one of the most iconic pieces of North Park’s community. Old timers in the area often get nostalgic about gathering at the Old Homestead dance hall for live music and social events. Lauren and Mike Staton have begun work on this landmark of North Park culture and social life by renovating several cabins, a bath house, and RV spots with full hookups for visitors. Cabins have electricity, wood burning stoves for heat, and refrigerators for your snacks.
A perfect spot for RVers, tent campers and thru-hikers, as well as weary travellers looking to rest in one of several rustic cabins or two deluxe accommodations, the Old Homestead offers a glimpse to the past as well as views of the Never Summer mountains and access to Routt National Forest. Plenty of room for weddings and special events too! Book your reservations online through the Old Homestead website.
Not yet listed on AirBnB or VRBO, you’ll find the campus to be quiet and uncongested. The town of Rand is nearby along with a Post Office and close proximity to jeep trails and mountain scenery. A short drive from the campground takes visitors to Walden, Teller City, Gould, and even Granby and Hot Sulfur Springs. Read all about their grand re-opening here.
Powderhorn Cabins
Just over the Gould/Rand Cutoff over Owl Mountain from Rand, CO you’ll find the village of Gould. This village of less than 100 people is one of the most visited areas of North Park and for good reason. The first town motorists encounter in North Park when coming into Jackson County along the Cache la Poudre/North Park Scenic Byway, Highway 14 is the lifeline from Ft. Collins and the Front Range to North Park over Cameron Pass. The Powderhorn Cabins feature 12 rustic cabins, 2 modern cabins, and RV parking with full hookups.
Not far from Gould’s Howling Coyote Mexican Restaurant, four-wheeling roads, and all the moose viewing, hummingbirds, and high altitude wildlife you can get, the Powderhorn is a great place to gather with friends, hunting parties, or to watch live music at the pavilion. Cabins are equipped with wood burning stoves and can comfortably sleep anywhere between 2 and 10 visitors. Book your stay online, but keep in mind as we approach hunting season spaces do fill up quickly.
Yonder Yurts
Just when you thought you couldn’t get any closer to the Colorado State Forest State Park, Yonder Yurts puts Colorado’s only State Forest right at your back door. Yurts are one of humanity's oldest methods of building shelter. Yurts are still commonly seen in the steppes of Mongolia, where screaming winds and subzero temps make life a challenge. These semi-permanent tent structures are made from a combination of treated canvas, wood, and anchored foundations, which provide a surprisingly resilient shelter against harsh weather conditions, along with an unforgettable experience in Colorado’s backcountry.
Yonder Yurts shelters sit right at the intersection of comfort and ruggedness, promising a one of a kind glamping experience year round. Hike the craggy trails and fish the creeks of the State Forest State Park in the summer, or snowshoe and nordic ski the vast network of trails the CSFSP has open in the winter months. You’ll stay cozy and warm in the yurts. Book your stay online at their website.
Pine Springs Cabins
On the north end of North Park, not far from King’s Cañon, Cabin Creek, and WyColo, highway 127 winds its way towards the Colorado/Wyoming border where it turns into WY highway 230 to Laramie, WY. This part of North Park was once the home of mining and logging camps. At one time a railroad spur ran through the area, bringing livestock, lumber, and coal to the rest of the world out of Jackson County. Pine Springs Cabins are one of the first signs of civilization you’ll encounter driving into North Park from the Wyoming side, easily spotted by their authentic rustic log cabin architecture and red roofs.
With four rustic cabins and RV parking, the Pine Springs Cabins provide an excellent basecamp for anglers, hunters, and anyone else looking to detox from social media. Take a family vacation or enjoy the solitude far from the daily grind of city life at Pine Springs Cabins. Find them online through AirBnB or their listing on Facebook.
Majestic Moose Cabin
Located in the heart of Walden, CO, the Majestic Moose Cabin is one of several VRBO or AirBnB vacation rentals. It might also be one of our most iconic. This tiny home experience is a one room cabin just half a block from historic downtown Main Street in Walden, CO. This cozy rental sleeps three with a combination of sleeper sofa and queen-sized murphy bed. It features a bathroom with shower, kitchenette, and dining nook. What it has in simplicity is more than made up for in location. Within easy walking distance of Walden’s eateries, post office, and local events during the summer and winter months, the Majestic Moose Cabin is a favorite among visitors for its quaint charm and vacation rental experience. Follow them on Facebook and pick your date for a stay in the center of Walden, CO!
An Authentic Colorado Experience
If you are looking for an escape from the grind of city life and want to get away from cookie cutter resort towns, North Park might be the right choice for you. Here you’ll get unforgettable mountain views, long quiet roads, crystal clear lakes and an abundance of wildlife you won’t get anywhere else.
Whether you are hiking the CDT or jeeping the backcountry roads of the National Forest, hunting, fishing, or just taking in the sights along the Scenic Byway, North Park offers a place where those who value off the beaten path destinations come back year after year. Life in the mountains is a little bit slower and picking a vacation rental is just the beginning of a new experience in getting away from it all. We hope to see you soon. Book your stay today!
