Cascade Ranger Station

Location: Cascade, Colorado
(3 miles West of Manitou Springs)
3-bedroom Victorian House

Call (719)287-0805 for reservations
OR

Base your Colorado vacation in the heart of historic Cascade, at the foot of the famous Pikes Peak Highway. From the late nineteenth through the early twentieth centuries, this comfortable old Victorian functioned as the Ute Pass region's Ranger Station.  Today it is rejuvenated and furnished to reflect its past as a gathering place for locals and visitors eager to hunt and fish among the legendary forested slopes surrounding Pikes Peak. Your stay at the Ranger Station will open the door to an earlier time when folks came up Ute Pass to relax among the mountain spruce and ponderosa, away from the heat of the "lowlands" and bustle of city life.

Cascade Ranger Station - 3 Bedroom - 1 1/2 Bath
Sleeps 6-9

Caretaker's Cottage Option sleeps addtl 2
(also adds another bathroom and kitchen)

The Station's spacious kitchen welcomes you back to a real connection with great-grandma, sitting at the table over coffee or tea, chatting and keeping hands busy helping with dinner chores.  The dining table invites the family to eat the old-fashioned way – together, enjoying meals with the honest hunger that fresh mountain air and exercise bring on.  Food never tasted so good, nor sleep so deep and sweet, as in the embrace of this generous old house. In the livingroom, the 100+ year-old fireplace still works, reminding you that summer is only one of Colorado’s mountain moods. 

Kitchen

Living Room

There is much to do, close by and within easy driving. Across Highway 24, you can enjoy a glimpse of brown and rainbow trout from the deck of the Wines of Colorado restaurant over fast-moving Fountain Creek. The annual Pikes Peak Hillclimb starts just minutes away at the Pikes Peak Highway. Five minutes from the Station, Waldo Canyon beckons the hiker. Road bikers can join the Olympic bicyclists as they train, cycling up Ute Pass from Manitou. Local bike shops also bus cyclists to the top of Pike's Peak, from which you can bike an exciting 19 miles down the highway! Or you can take the Pikes Peak Highway by car -- just make sure your brakes are good -- from the top, it's downhill all the way!

Cascade’s central location provides easy access both up and down Ute Pass for South Central Colorado's most famous attractions and destinations: in Manitou Springs, Barr Trail begins its 13-mile, 7500ft climb to the summit of Pikes Peak.  Beautiful Garden of the Gods borders Manitou on the northeast side, and Red Rocks Canyon Park borders on the southeast side, both providing opportunities for less strenuous hikes, runs, biking and horse-back riding. Manitou is also the home depot for the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Cave of the Winds, Miramont Castle Museum, Navajo Gallery & Gifts, scores of quaint shops, art galleries, an old-time arcade, miniature golf and many great restaurants.

Within convenient driving are tours of the USAF Academy, the US Olympic Center, and Focus on the Family. Going west on Highway 24 to Woodland Park, you can visit the Dinosaur Museum and continue on to hike the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Crags Trail or Mueller State Park. Drive another 30 minutes to Cripple Creek for a tour of the Molly Kathleen Gold Mine, low-stakes gambling, and to experience astounding views of three Colorado mountain ranges from 10,000+ elevation.

All within striking distance are famous area activities such as gold-medal fishing in the South Platte and Eleven Mile Canyon, big game hunting and great wildlife viewing, high-altitude golfing, world class four-wheeling, mountain biking and hiking, and white water rafting on the Arkansas River. Click Area Activities for details and links on these and more.

"Campfire" Room

Master Bedroom

North Upstairs Bedroom

The Station is completely furnished with everything you need to be comfortable on your vacation. The kitchen is set up with refrigerator, oven-stove, microwave, dishes, flatware, toaster, etc, etc. We've tried to think of everything a good cook needs; there's a BBQ grill and picnic table outside too.   Inside you can relax with a good book or watch a movie from satellite, a DVD or VHS.

South Upstairs Bedroom

The Ranger Station has a large, welcoming porch, perfect for unwinding in the late afternoon after a day filled with Colorado adventures. 

At last, you're at your Colorado home-away-from-home, furnished and decorated to awaken in you that feeling described by Gonzo’s song in “The Muppet Movie”:

       This looks familiar, vaguely familiar,
Almost unreal, yet, it’s too soon to feel yet;
So close to home, and yet so far away –
I’m going to go back there someday...
.

Front Porch

Ranger Station Rates:
$1500/month during low season (1 Oct - 15 May) (excludes holidays)
$165/day or $1045/week during high season (16 May - 30 Sep) and Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years holidays
3 night minimum - Monthly Rates rates available upon request.

$250 Refundable Reservation/Security Deposit required, refundable if cancellation is made 30 days in advance of arrival date. For cancellations less than 30 days prior to arrival, the security deposit is nonrefundable. We will, however, make every effort to rebook the home and will refund your total security deposit if we are able to do so.

$105 cleaning fee

Tax additional

Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

Ranger Station Features
Amenities
  • Washer / Dryer
  • Linens
  • Off -street parking
  • RV parking
  • Wireless Hi-speed Internet
Beds
  • MBR: Queen
  • S BR: 1 Twin /Full Bunk
  • N BR: 1 Twin / Full Bunk, Twin in walk-in
    • Air-beds sleep addtl 2-3
    Entertainment
    • Satellite TV / VCR / DVD / CD
    • Videos: family films (Veggie-tales, Hallmark, etc)
    • Wildlife !
    Kitchen
    • Full kitchen: toaster, coffee-maker and
      dishwasher
    • Complete cooking utensils, flatware, dishes
    • Refrigerator
    • Stove/oven, microwave
    Outdoor Features
    • Gas BBQ grill / deck / picnic table / horseshoes

    View/Location
    • Mountain view at base of Pikes Peak Highway
    Suitability
    • Kid-friendly
    • No smoking

    Email

    a_w_Peterson@yahoo.com

    Phone:
    (719) 287-0805

    MORE PHOTOS

    Entries from the Guestbook speak for themselves:

    "What a wonderful cozy cottage – Everything was so comfortable for us. So perfect for exploring this incredible area – centrally located to explore the local sites: Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds, Cliff Dwellings and Pikes Peak – also close enough for day trips to the Arkansas River rafting, Royal Gorge and Red Rocks concerts. Our stayed was blessed and we thank you for being humble hosts." Lise & Dave L.

    "Our family was truly blessed to have chanced upon this wonderful cottage! Our son’s Air Force Academy Graduation was even more special by the comfort and unbelievable hospitality and amenities so graciously shared by Happy Trails. The location was ideal for sightseeing yet close enough to the Academy for the week’s events. The memories for the week will include the family barbeques, nightly card games and the beautiful view our family was able to share. Thank you" Mark & Sue R

    "We truly enjoyed our stay. Being at a home with everything here already was truly a blessing. Knowing that we all share the hope and love of Jesus was a special perk. The house was comfy, private, a great relaxation "base of operations" for our family vacation. Staying here put a real nice bow on the top. In Him, Joel, for all the Miles Family"

    "Our final night in Colorado - it's been quite a trip! We attended a family wedding, went white-water rafting, and saw some sights we didn't get to see ten years ago when we were here last. It was a comfort to come back to this cozy cottage - all the comforts of home! Thank you for your hospitality - for calling and checking up on us - most likely we will return again. Until then, a warm thankyou from the Walter Family for providing us a safe, lovely place to rest."

    "We have enjoyed staying at your home. It was very comfortable and you have provided all the things we needed. This area is beautiful and we have enjoyed all the sights. It was wonderful to explore during the day and catch up with our friends at night. We were excited to see a bear wandering past the house one morning. We also enjoyed the baby birds in the bird house on the porch. Thanks again for providing such a nice place to stay." Steve, Marian, Ruth, Rhonda, Dennis & Marie from England, Minnesota & Tennessee

    "The house was a great relaxing respite for us during our stay. We are here to have a family vacation while Justin reports to the USAFA Prep School - a bittersweet combination as our first leaves the family nest. We've had a great time seeing the Garden of the Gods, the Academy, Molly Kathleen Mine, Arkansas River white-water rafting, fishing at 11-Mile Reservoir and visiting the hot springs in Buena Vista. We have been busy! We had a great time and have many memories of this week... We'll be back!" The Smith's, Rose's & Walter's

    Thank you so much! We had such a great time!! We had our whole family here and had an AMAZING time! The house was beautiful. We loved all the wildlife. Thanks again" The Fletchers, Skagens, Valentines & Kasseths

    Thank you, we had a lovely time here. The house is wonderful and has a great location. We spent many mornings on the porch reading and enjoying the mountains." The Giers - Overland Park, KS

    "Happy Trails" to you ... until we meet again. The Fagues loved your cozy and adorable home. We all would stay here again. Thank you and God bless!" Fague Family - Petaluma, CA

    "We enjoyed a wonderful Parents' Weekend with our USAFA Cadet!! Thank you!" The Cignolis - Springfield, MA

    "We loved our time here. We enjoyed seeing 7 Falls, Cave of the Winds, Garden of the Gods, USAF Academy, a beautiful drive to Breckenridge with sleet and snow and sun. Loved the beauty of the aspens to Cripple Creek. We enjoyed our many games at night and dinner at the Flying W. The cabin was perfect for our group and we hope to come back. May God bless you. We love you." The Blanks - 10-3-08

    "Thank you for the charming and cozy place to stay during our wonderful week here. May God bless you and those who follow behind." The Siffords - Mesquite, TX

    "What a wonderful place, perfect location and beautiful setting! The only draw-back was with SO many fun, interesting and breathtaking sites to visit, we were gone so much we didn't get to truly enjoy the ambiance here at the Ranger Station. Thanks for your genuine hospitality. It's truly appreciated! And we hope to someday return." The Walkers - Corona, CA

    "We loved the location and beautiful view. We had a great time sightseeing and exploring. The cabin was the perfect place to bring in the New Year by celebrating this past year and all the things the Lord has planned for the new year. We're grateful to have found you on VRBO. Thanks for your hospitality. Also, "Adams Mountain Cafe" in Manitou Springs was amazing!" Thom & Kelli - Frisco, TX

    The Ranger Station is on a 3/4 acre property shared with the Olde Poste Cottage and Caretaker's Cottage. When available, reserving The Cascade Victorians is great for small reunions or family vacations.

    Special Discounts
    on two or more houses for
    larger family gatherings

    Caretakers Cottage and the Olde Poste

    Phone:
    (719) 287-0805

    email
    a_w_peterson@yahoo.com

    Ute Pass History

    Click for great links to Pikes Peak
    Area Activities

    Click here for a video on Pikes Peak
    Click here for a video of the Pikes Peak Hillclimb
    vacation rentals by owner