Originally published in the Fall 2019 issue of Spoke+Blossom

Nestled in the valley between Ridgway and Ouray sits Basecamp 550, a campground and lodging site with one of the most spectacular views of the San Juan Mountains.

Owners Heather and Sam Jaquette started Basecamp 550 to provide a simple and comfortable place for guests to stay who are looking to experience adventure on the Western Slope.

“We offer everything from tiny homes to glamping tents,” says Heather. “You can bring your RV, your own tiny home or even your own tent. We have a bathhouse with hot showers, a laundry facility, WiFi, a great outdoor camp canteen with BBQ grills and a large sink for dishes.”

Currently, the glamping tents are the most popular form of stay at Basecamp 550. The canvas-walled tents give the feel of camping without the fuss of bringing your own equipment, and they include electricity, a queen pillow top bed, mini-fridge, microwave and a fireplace heater for thecolder months.

“It’s a great place for everyone ... We are open 365 days of the year and you can stay for one night, one week or one month,” says Sam. “The best thing is getting to interact with all of the different people who stay here. Just this morning I had a 30-minute conversation with a guest from San Francisco who lives near my sister and I thought that was awesome.”

Heather and Sam both grew up in Michigan, and after a while desired to live in a place with fewer traffic stops and more nature. Sam visited Ridgway when he was younger and introduced it to Heather.

“Ridgway has transformed so much over the past 20 to 30 years,” says Sam. “It was just a simple ranching town and now it has evolved into a hip foodie town with cool concerts and festivals. But throughout all of it, it has kept its magic.”

Basecamp 550, located just a few minutes outside of Ridgway, is a campground that dates back to the 1970s. The Jaquettes purchased the campground in 2017 after falling in love with the San Juan Mountains.

When Sam was in college, he dedicated his time and energy to come up with innovative recycling and green alternative ideas. With the start of Basecamp 550, the couple saw it as an opportunity to implement those ideas. From the bedding and linen choices to the cleaning products, it is all selected with the environment in mind.

“We have a recycling station at the north end of camp that we take up to Montrose one to two times per week,” says Heather. “Our faucets and lights are on automatic timers so that there isn’t even an opportunity for waste. We have charging stations for electric vehicles, and we are applying to have a solar panel on top of the bathhouse that will power all of the sites.”

It is no surprise that the central location of Basecamp 550 makes it such an ideal hub for people looking to experience all that the Western Slope has to offer. It is 10 minutes from the famous hot springs and epic ice climbing in Ouray, less than one hour from the ski resort town of Telluride and just over an hour to the old mining town of Silverton.

“The amazing thing is that there is always something exciting to do on the Western Slope,” says Heather. “You can go fishing, hiking, kayaking or mountain biking. There are popular festivals year-round. Perhaps the highlight of the season is getting to see the beautiful fall colors that cascade down the mountains.”

As Basecamp 550 continues to grow and evolve, Heather and Sam are excited about the future. They are currently working on adding vintage Airstream trailers to the lineup and a new community clubhouse.

“The clubhouse will serve as a central hub for our guests,” says Sam. “Guests will be able to check-in, mingle with other guests, cook, watch television or enjoy the mountain views from our deck. We want to highlight the fact that you are getting a community experience at Basecamp 550 that you wouldn’t get at a normal hotel.”

Whether you are looking for a glamping experience or seeking a simple campground that is intentional in what they do, you can book your own unique stay at Basecamp 550 through

Airbnb or visit basecamp550.com to learn more.