Welcome to Camp Always Choose Adventures

9,300 Feet Above Ordinary. Adventure for Every Ability.

More Than a Campground. A Place Where Everyone Belongs.

Tucked away at 9,300 feet in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, just 15 minutes from Idaho Springs and approximately one hour from Denver, Camp Always Choose Adventures (Camp ACA) is a one-of-a-kind, off-grid outdoor education and adaptive recreation campground.

Founded by the Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit Always Choose Adventures, Camp ACA officially opened on June 22, 2024, with one mission: Breaking Barriers to Bring the Outdoors to Everyone.

We're not your typical campground. We're an outdoor classroom, an accessible mountain retreat, a place for the chronically ill, individuals with disabilities, and people of all abilities, a community gathering place, and the gateway to some of Colorado's most incredible adventures.

Whether you're camping for the first time, introducing your children to the outdoors, exploring the mountains with a disability, or simply looking for a peaceful getaway, Camp ACA was created with you in mind.

One of the things that makes ACA different? Our regular services are FREE for individuals with disabilities or financial disadvantages who have an active paid annual ACA membership.

We believe everyone deserves an opportunity to experience the outdoors, regardless of their physical abilities or financial circumstances.

And here's another great part: You don't need to own expensive outdoor equipment to experience the Rockies. We have the gear to help get you outside!

Stay in the Mountains, Your Way

Surrounded by towering pines, beautiful aspens, mountain wildlife, and thousands of acres of surrounding public lands, Camp ACA offers a variety of rustic outdoor experiences.

Our campground features:

• Six Mountain Campsites: Enjoy traditional camping beneath the stars, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Colorado Rockies.
• Four Hard-Sided Tents: Our Bishop and Valley Overlook shelters feature queen-size beds, while Swamp Angel and Marsh each offer two twin beds. These rustic shelters offer an alternative to traditional fabric tents while maintaining the simplicity of an outdoor camping experience.
• The Aspen Sanctuary: A cozy woodland retreat tucked among the trees, featuring two XL twin bunk beds and a peaceful mountain setting.
• Secret Creek Tipi: Our custom-made, one-of-a-kind tipi is a favorite gathering place for outdoor education, group activities, and unforgettable mountain memories. Seasonally available May through October.

From pitching your first tent to gathering with friends beneath the tipi, Camp ACA offers a mountain experience unlike any other.

Come Empty-Handed. Leave With an Adventure.

We know that one of the biggest barriers to enjoying the outdoors is the cost of equipment.

That's why we've created an extensive Outdoor Gear Library, giving guests access to equipment that might otherwise cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to purchase.

Our Gear Library includes:

• Tents, sleeping bags, and camping essentials
• Osprey Packs hiking backpacks and outdoor recreation equipment
• Backpacking gear and camp cooking supplies
• Snowshoes and seasonal adventure equipment
• Paddleboards, kayaks, a canoe, and personal flotation devices
• Equipment to support first-time campers and outdoor educational programs

Whether you're learning to camp, trying backpacking for the first time, or exploring a new outdoor activity, we're here to help remove the barriers.

You bring the excitement. We'll help with the equipment and adventure.

Accessibility Isn't an Afterthought. It's Why We Exist.

At Camp ACA, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the outdoors, regardless of physical ability, financial circumstances, chronic illness, or previous outdoor experience.

We've invested in adaptive recreation equipment and unique outdoor amenities to help make the mountains more inclusive.

Our regular ACA services are provided free of additional service charges to eligible individuals with disabilities or financial disadvantages who maintain an active paid annual ACA membership.

Our Braille & Adaptive Trail

One of our most meaningful additions is our on-site Braille Trail, designed to create a more inclusive outdoor experience for individuals with visual impairments and varying abilities.

The trail encourages visitors to connect with the natural environment through touch, sound, and exploration.

We've welcomed visually impaired individuals, veterans, and families who have experienced the trail together, reminding us that enjoying nature is about so much more than what we can see.

Extreme Motus All-Terrain Wheelchairs

We have two Extreme Motus off-road wheelchairs available to help individuals with mobility limitations experience rugged mountain terrain that traditional wheelchairs cannot navigate.

From exploring the campground to participating in outdoor activities, these chairs help create opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

On-Site Oxygen Bar

At 9,300 feet, Colorado's high altitude can present additional challenges.

Our on-site oxygen bar is an additional resource for guests who use supplemental oxygen while enjoying the mountains.

We understand firsthand that respiratory challenges shouldn't automatically mean giving up a love for outdoor adventure.

Complimentary Yamaha Viking Side-by-Side Adventures

Not everyone can hike miles into the backcountry, and we don't believe that should keep someone from experiencing Colorado's incredible mountain scenery.

Our Yamaha Viking side-by-side allows us to offer complimentary hosted off-road adventures to guests, giving them an opportunity to experience the surrounding mountain roads and beautiful backcountry.

Rides are subject to weather, road conditions, staffing, and availability.

Because adventure should be about what's possible, not what's limiting you.

Your Gateway to Yankee Hill OHV Recreation Area

Camp ACA is located at the gateway to the Yankee Hill OHV trail system, one of the most heavily traveled off-highway vehicle recreation destinations on Colorado's Front Range.

Right outside our driveway, visitors can explore historic mining roads, incredible mountain views, scenic trails, and the rugged beauty of the Colorado backcountry.

We're also conveniently located near several incredible outdoor destinations.

Mount Pisgah — 10,081 Feet

Just outside Camp ACA, Mount Pisgah offers a rewarding 1.1-mile round-trip hike with approximately 574 feet of elevation gain.

The summit features panoramic views of the Front Range, a summit register, an American flag, and a sense of accomplishment that's hard to describe until you've experienced it yourself.

Chase Gulch Reservoir

Located approximately 12 minutes from Camp ACA, Chase Gulch Reservoir provides opportunities for fishing, paddling, and enjoying a peaceful mountain setting.

Depending on availability and conditions, Camp ACA can provide paddleboards, kayaks, a canoe, and personal flotation devices.

Yankee Hill OHV Trails

Explore the area's historic mountain roads and off-road routes, with opportunities to experience some of the Front Range's most beautiful backcountry scenery.

Keeping Our Mountain Roads Safe & Accessible

Maintaining safe access to Camp ACA and the surrounding mountain community has become an important part of our mission.

Our primary access route, Forest Service Road 739.1, serves campground guests, local residents, recreational visitors, and emergency responders accessing the Yankee Hill area.

Thanks to previous support from the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative and funding through the 2026 Polaris TRAILS GRANTS Program, we're continuing road maintenance and improvements during our 2026–2027 efforts.

These projects focus on improving road conditions, drainage, and access for vehicles traveling through this heavily used recreation corridor.

For us, this work goes far beyond recreational access.

Maintaining these roads helps preserve critical 911 and emergency access for Camp ACA, neighboring properties, and the surrounding mountain community.

We're incredibly grateful to Yamaha, Polaris, our volunteers, and the local businesses supporting this work.

Outdoor Education: Learn, Explore & Grow

Camp ACA isn't just a place to sleep beneath the stars. It's an outdoor classroom!

Our educational programs are designed to build confidence, teach practical outdoor skills, encourage teamwork, and introduce participants to experiences they may never have had the opportunity to try.

Depending on the season, staffing, and group needs, our outdoor educational experiences may include:

• Tent POP / Learn to Camp: A hands-on introduction to setting up tents, building a campsite, and learning teamwork through outdoor activities.
• The 10 Essentials: Learn what equipment to carry, how to prepare for outdoor adventures, and the importance of mountain safety.
• Introduction to Backpacking: Discover backpacking equipment, trail meals, lightweight gear, and the basics of planning a backcountry trip.
• Leave No Trace: Learn responsible outdoor recreation practices and how to protect our public lands.
• Introduction to Mountaineering: Build confidence on mountain trails and experience the excitement of working toward a summit.
• Nature & Environmental Education: Explore mountain ecosystems, local wildlife, environmental stewardship, and the natural history of the Rockies.
• Seasonal Recreation: Opportunities to experience snowshoeing, paddling, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

We regularly welcome school groups, nonprofit organizations, veterans, foster and adoptive families, youth programs, and community organizations for educational experiences and outdoor retreats.

Our goal isn't simply to introduce someone to an outdoor activity.

It's to give them the confidence and knowledge to continue exploring long after they leave Camp ACA.

A Place to Connect, Recharge & Belong

Sometimes the best adventure is simply slowing down and enjoying where you are.

Camp ACA offers several shared spaces and amenities designed to make your visit comfortable while maintaining the beauty and simplicity of off-grid mountain living.

Camp amenities include:

• Hammock Haven: Relax among the trees in our hammock area, supported by Grand Trunk.
• Community Gathering Areas: Outdoor spaces for shared meals, campfires when permitted, educational activities, and connecting with fellow adventurers.
• Picnic Tables & Outdoor Seating: Enjoy meals surrounded by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
• Quiet Work-From-Home Space: A private space with connectivity for taking calls, working remotely, or stepping away for a little quiet time.
• Portable Restrooms & Handwashing Facilities: Convenient facilities located throughout the campground.
• Emergency Wi-Fi: Connectivity available for important communication needs.

Wildlife & Our Mountain Neighbors

Our valley is home to some incredible wildlife.

Moose, elk, deer, and the occasional black bear travel through the area, especially during the quieter early morning and evening hours.

We're also a dog-friendly campground, and our resident camp dogs may be around to welcome visitors. If you have concerns about dogs, please let us know ahead of your visit.

As advocates for Leave No Trace, we encourage guests to respect wildlife, follow all fire restrictions, properly store food, and help protect this beautiful mountain environment.

Every Visit Supports a Bigger Mission

Here's what makes Camp ACA truly different.

When you stay with us, you're helping someone else experience the outdoors, too.

Always Choose Adventures is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking down financial, physical, and educational barriers to outdoor recreation.

Unlike a traditional commercial campground, Camp ACA operates to support our nonprofit mission.

Our regular services are FREE for individuals with disabilities or financial disadvantages who have an active paid annual ACA membership.

Revenue generated through campground bookings, annual memberships, donations, grants, and community partnerships helps support our accessible recreation equipment, Outdoor Gear Library, educational programs, campground operations, and opportunities for underserved youth and individuals with disabilities.

Since opening in June 2024, Camp ACA has welcomed first-time campers, veterans, school groups, children in foster and adoptive families, individuals with disabilities, and people from all walks of life.

During the summer of 2026 alone, more than 700 people experienced Camp ACA.

We've watched people camp for the first time, roast their first marshmallows, summit their first mountain, navigate trails with adaptive equipment, and discover a newfound confidence in the outdoors.

We've seen strangers become friends, families make lifelong memories, and people accomplish things they never thought possible.

These experiences are the reason Camp ACA exists.

The outdoors shouldn't be a privilege reserved for those who can afford expensive equipment or have the physical ability to access every trail. It should be an opportunity for everyone.

Become a Member & Plan Your Adventure at Camp ACA

Whether you're looking for a peaceful weekend in the mountains, your first camping experience, a family getaway, an accessible outdoor adventure, or a place to bring your school, nonprofit, or community group, we'd love to welcome you.

Have a disability or experiencing financial hardship? Our regular ACA services are free with an active paid annual membership. Contact us to learn more about eligibility, membership benefits, and available programs.

Come explore the Rockies, try something new, connect with nature, and become part of a community that believes everyone deserves an adventure.

Camp Always Choose Adventures

Central City / Idaho Springs, Colorado | Elevation 9,300 Feet

15 Minutes from Idaho Springs | Approximately 1 Hour from Denver

Book your mountain experience through Hipcamp or contact us to plan a group retreat, outdoor education program, or accessible adventure.

Website: www.AlwaysChooseAdventures.org/join

Breaking Barriers to Bring the Outdoors to Everyone.

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Please note: Camp ACA is an off-grid mountain property. Accommodations, equipment, educational programs, and adaptive recreation experiences are subject to seasonal availability, weather, staffing, safety considerations, and applicable restrictions. Please contact us ahead of your visit to discuss accessibility needs and confirm available amenities.

Annual ACA membership is paid and must remain active to qualify for complimentary regular services. Special events, private group bookings, overnight accommodations, and certain activities may have separate fees. All activities and overnight uses are subject to applicable permits, approvals, and campground policies. Camp ACA's oxygen bar is not a substitute for prescribed medical oxygen or emergency medical care.