Overview
The Redfeather Ranger Station has two cabins, and an office with a visitor's center. The Ranger Cabin and the Assistant Ranger Cabin are available for lodging. Guests must provide linens, bedding, pillows, towels and toiletries. The Ranger Station is situated in a ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of 8,200 feet. Afternoon thunderstorms can be expected during spring and summer months.
This site is located off the east side of Dowdy Lake Road in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. The Forest Service access road into the station is approximately 1/4 mile north of the intersection of Dowdy Lake Road and West County Road 74E/Red Feather Lakes Road. The Red Feather Lakes community, located about 46 miles northwest of Fort Collins, is known for its recreational opportunities and remote scenic beauty.
The Ranger Cabin is a spacious (1,660 square foot), three-room log cabin, that can accommodate six to eight people. It has one queen bed and four twin beds. The fully-equipped kitchen includes two stoves, two refrigerators, microwave, toaster, coffee pot, pots, pans, dishes and utensils. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937 from adapted architectural plans from the Sunlight Ranger Cabin near Cody, Wyoming.
The Assistant Ranger Cabin is a two-bedroom log cabin that can accommodate four to six people. There is a small fully-equipped kitchen with a small table. There is a log bed frame with a queen size bed in one bedroom and two twin beds in the second bedroom.
Recreation
Canoeing, paddle boarding and fishing are popular activities on the 115-acre, Dowdy Lake nearby and 25-acre, West Lake. Motorized boats are allowed on the lakes, but a 10 mph speed limit is enforced with no wake. Anglers cast for brown, brook, cutthroat and lake trout. Several additional lakes are in the vicinity.
Many hiking, biking and horseback riding trails are nearby, including the Mount Margaret Trail, Lady Moon Trail, Elkhorn, Dowdy Lake Trail and others. Several off-road vehicle trails are located within five miles of the cabins. Other popular activities include viewing wildlife and visiting the Redfeather Visitor Center.
The Poudre River is located 10 miles to the south (about a 30-minute drive) and offers whitewater rafting and kayaking, fishing, hiking trails, and other recreation opportunities.
Facilities
The Redfeather Ranger Station has two cabins and an office with a visitor's center. The cabins include propane grills, picnic tables, a campfire ring, and horseshoe game outside the Ranger Cabin.
The Ranger Cabin is a spacious (1,660 square foot), three-room log cabin, that can accommodate six to eight people. It has eight twin beds. The fully-equipped kitchen includes two stoves, two refrigerators, microwave, toaster, coffee pot, pots, pans, dishes and utensils. The dining room has seating for eight. A fireplace is located in the living room; firwood is not provided. An indoor bathroom is available.
The Assistant Ranger Cabin is a two-bedroom log cabin that can accommodate four to six people. There is a small fully-equipped kitchen with a small table and an indoor bathroom. There is a log bed frame with a queen size bed in one bedroom and two twin beds in the second bedroom.
Natural Features
The Ranger Station is located in a small meadow between West Lake and Dowdy Lake and ten miles north of the Poudre River. Bald Mountain is located to the southwest and Deadman Mountain is located to the west.
Nearby Attractions
The small village of Red Feather Lakes is nearby, offering limited dining options, gift shops, general stores, a library, post office and a golf course.
The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
US Forest Service (USFS)
National Park Service (NPS)
US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
Department Of Defense (DOD)
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Other Federal
State
Local
Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
Alaska Native Allotment
Road
Primitive Road
Road
Primitive Road
Trail
Roads open to all Vehicles, Yearlong
Roads open to all Vehicles, Seasonal
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Yearlong
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal
Special Designation, Yearlong
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails open to all vehicles, Yearlong
Trails open to all vehicles, Seasonal
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Yearlong
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Seasonal
Trails open to motorcycles, Yearlong
Trails open to motorcycles, Seasonal
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" in Width, Yearlong
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" or Less in Width, Seasonal
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Study Area