Perched up on Cheyenne Mountain, 3,000 feet above Colorado Springs, you’ll find the all-inclusive wilderness experience, Broadmoor Cloud Camp. I’d discovered this place after searching ‘best cabins in Colorado’ on Pinterest. So I did as one does and clicked through the different articles and found one that featured this slice of heaven. I immediately decided, then and there, that I had to stay at the Broadmoor Cloud Camp on my next visit to Colorado. How can one not when there are endless views of the Southern edge of the Rockies. Here is my experience.
The Lodge at Cloud Camp
Spencer Penrose, the founder of Broadmoor, built the road that leads to the top of Cheyenne Mountain as well as the original lodge. Today, the 8,500 square-foot lodge remains largely influenced by the American West (think those historic timber and stone lodges in the Western movies). It was built on the same site as the original lodge and is filled with large timber beams and stone fireplaces. Upon entry, it felt like I had just stumbled upon a set of a Western film. The walls are filled with authentic Native American art pieces, clothing, taxidermy and countless Western inspired paintings. I have to say, the attention to detail is so apparent throughout the entire property. The interiors are perfectly appointed.
In the lodge is the Great Room. Here is where guests enjoy their breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Typical (when it’s not Corona time) there is a long dining room table that seats up to 32 guests for family style meals. My experience was a little different, the tables were separated to ensure social distancing.
Three meals are served a day in the lodge; all included in your stay. Alcohol too. Breakfast is a collection of sticky buns and pastries, your choice of eggs or an omelet, toast, bacon or sausage, crispy potatoes and fresh fruit. Traditional, but nonetheless delicious. For lunch, you can expect delicious soups, salads and sandwiches. Dinner is the main event. This four-course meal will leave you wanting more, even though you’ll surely be full of all of the tastiness you just consumed! But you’re on vacation, right? Indulgence is key. Dinner, for us, was at 6:30 each night. As I mentioned, there is typically a long community table so that guests can wine and dine together but its separated out for social distancing. For me, I didn’t mind. It made dining much more intimate.
Much of the menu rotates seasonally and features in-season vegetables and herbs from Broadmoor Farms.
Outside of the lodge is a gorgeous wrap-around deck where guests can gaze at the stars, watch the world go by or simply enjoy the silence that comes with being at 9,000 feet.
Accommodations
There are a few different accommodation options at the Broadmoor Cloud Camp. In the lodge, there are 7, beautifully appointed, rooms. In addition to the lodge rooms, there are 11 one and two bedroom cabins. The cabins, it goes without saying, are adorned with Western tapestries and paintings. Each has its own, private porch and views for DAYS! I stayed in both a one and two-bedroom cabin during my stay. Each morning, well when the snow cleared of course, we had views of the Rockies and Pikes Peak. I truly could have sat, sipped my coffee and gazed out the window for hours at that view.
The Fire Tower Suite
Then, there is the Fire Tower Suite. A cabin situated on the foundation of the old fire tower that once sat up on Cheyenne Mountain. Unlike the other cabins which are all a short walk to the lodge and gathering places, a stay in the Fire Tower Suite adds a climb. To reach the suite you’ll need to climb a mix of metal and wooden steps. Along the way, you’ll climb through an enchanted alpine forest with glimpses of the surrounding mountains. As part of the suites privacy, no other guests are allowed up the steps nor to the fire tower when it is occupied. Privacy is a luxury, folks.
When staying in the fire tower you have exclusive access to its observation room which provides 360-degree views of, you guessed it, the Rocky Mountains. If the views and privacy weren’t enough, you also have your very own hot tub. This has honeymoon or romantic getaway vibes all over it. Start convincing your lover now 😉
Amenities and Activities
There are so many unique experiences to have while on your wilderness experience at Broadmoor Cloud Camp. There are daily activities you can join in on, as a reminder the beauty of all-inclusive is select activities are often included. Here, they offer daily cooking classes with the chef where you learn to prepare one of their dishes. In addition to cooking class, there are daily guided hikes, 7am yoga class, mule rides, crafts, and archery.
Sprinkled across the property are exclusive hiking trails, forest hammocks, fire pits and secluded hot tubs. And I can’t forget the camp dog Zoey! Evening night cap and s’mores by the fire, anyone? Or perhaps a sunrise dip in one of the alpine hot tubs with your lover? Maybe an evening sunset stroll through Cloud Camps trails? The amenities and activities here truly encourage you to check in and check out. Disconnect from the world below and enjoy a night or two to refresh and relax.
How to get to Broadmoor Cloud Camp
Getting up to Cloud Camp is an adventure in and of itself. You’ll organize your mode of transportation up to 9,000 feet prior to your arrival. The options are shuttling up in a Cadillac Escalade, riding a mule, or going on a three-hour hike with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet. On my next visit, when it’s not a winter wonderland, mark my words, I am doing the hike up.
Although during our visit Cloud Camp got a considerable amount of snow, it was nonetheless the experience we needed: a couple of days to check in and check out.
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