USDA Forest Service · Colorado
Duncan Cabin
USDA Forest Service · Colorado, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 with water, 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 21 to November 16
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 8,094 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- LIBERTY (NFSR 952) · native material · high clearance vehicles
- Lake
- Rio Grande National Forest
- Nearest town
- Saguache
- Address
- 46525 State Hwy 114, Saguache, CO, 81149
- Phone
- (719) 655 - 2547
- Activities
- Backpacking, Birding, Hiking, Horse Camping, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Star Gazing
About
Overview
The cabin was constructed in the 1880s. The cabin sits 8,120 feet above sea level beside a small dry stream‐bed. The nearest source of water is Pole Creek which is approximately 1,500 feet from the cabin. The cabin sits on a west‐facing gently sloping grade that looks out onto the San Luis Valley. Although large coniferous trees are located near the cabin, the vegetation is primarily Rabbitbrush, Pinon, and Juniper.
Recreation
The cabin is a good base camp for horse riding. It does have a corral close to the cabin. It is a good place for hunting, hiking and watching the night sky. It is close to the Great Sand Dunes National Park that is designated as an international Dark Sky Park.
Facilities
The one-room cabin is furnished with two bunk beds (the top bunk is a single bed, the bottom is a fold-out futon couch that sleeps two) and can accommodate up to 6 people. The cabin has a wood stove, a table and chairs, cooking utensils and some pots and pans. A picnic table, fire pit and an outdoor vault toilet are also on site. There is no electricity and water at the cabin. Water is also available at the Saguache Ranger District Office during business hours from May through November.
Natural Features
This area also provides habitats for large herds of elk, pronghorn and mule deer. It is also close to the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Nearby Attractions
The Duncan cabin is located in the Rio Grande National Forest 11.8 miles southeast of Crestone, CO. There is a lot of hiking trails in this area. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is also close by.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35° | 13° | -8° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 37° | 15° | -7° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 47° | 25° | 2° | 68° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 57° | 32° | 15° | 71° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 66° | 42° | 28° | 79° | 3 of 11 |
| June | 78° | 53° | 40° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 83° | 57° | 52° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 56° | 48° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 74° | 50° | 27° | 83° | 1 of 11 |
| October | 62° | 39° | 19° | 74° | 3 of 10 |
| November | 49° | 30° | 2° | 61° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 38° | 16° | -2° | 50° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Medano Pass Primitive Road Campsites · National Park Service · 8 mi · 21 sites
- North Crestone Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 11 mi
- Pinon Flats Campground · National Park Service · 11 mi · 90 sites
- Alvarado Campground · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi · 51 sites
- Zapata Falls Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 17 mi · 45 sites
All public campgrounds in Colorado · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.