Camping at Bruce Spruce Ranch in Pagosa Springs, Colorado – A Review

Last December we received a Christmas Card from the Hinger family out of Bruce Spruce Ranch in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. They sent us a card for the second time after we stayed at their campground two summers ago. Some of you may think it was a minor gesture, but as previous guests, we were impressed that they remembered us and took the time to wish us a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday.

When I was looking for a campground near Pagosa Springs, I came across Bruce Spruce Ranch. We took a road trip from Dallas to Southwest Colorado the summer after the pandemic hit the country. 

We decided to camp at Bruce Spruce Ranch after doing some research online. The campground looked nice, and most importantly, the restrooms were open for guests. It should be noted that not all campgrounds opened their restrooms to guests at the time. During the pandemic, it was difficult for tent campers like us to find a campground with a functioning restroom.

The location of Bruce Spruce Campground under the canopy of Spruce trees drew me in. It has a picnic table (which saved us from bringing our folding table), two water spigots with potable water in the tent area, hot showers and toilets, and, of course, it is a dog-friendly campground. We traveled with our dog Snoopy, so a pet-friendly hotel is essential.

Bruce Spruce Ranch also has rustic cabins and RV sites in addition to tent sites.

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Where is Bruce Spruce Ranch in Pagosa Springs Located?

Bruce Spruce Ranch is about 15 miles northeast of downtown Pagosa Springs, or about an 18-minute drive to the San Juan Forest’s base.

Take US-160 E/Main St/Pagosa St for about 14.5 miles from downtown Pagosa Springs. Then, after mile marker 158, turn left onto the West Fork Forest Service Road. The ranch will be on your left. The road is a bit steep from the highway, so proceed with caution.

Treasure Falls is only a mile away, just after the ranch. If you get to the falls, you’ve missed the turn to the ranch. Turn around and drive slowly until you see the ranch sign on the right. This also applies to those of you coming from South Fork or Wolf Creek Pass.

GPS coordinate: N37.43935 and W106.88599.  

Address: 231 W Fork Road, Pagosa Springs, Colorado 81147. Ph.: (970) 264 5374.

Open: May 25 through October 20.

Here is my review about Bruce Spruce Ranch in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

How to Reserve a Site at Bruce Spruce Ranch in Pagosa Springs

It’s as simple as dialing the number and someone will assist you on the other end. Simply inform them that you need to reserve a tent site and provide your arrival and departure times.

If a site is available, they will record your information. Then they will request a deposit equal to one night’s rent or one-third of the total cost.

That’s it. You’re ready to go.

Check-in at Bruce Spruce Ranch

When you arrive at the Ranch, go to the office to complete your reservation payment. You will also be given information about the campground, such as your campsite number and the rules and amenities available. If there is another empty campsite, they will let you choose it and notify them of your decision. You will receive a 5% cash discount (this includes checks and traveler’s checks).

Check-in is at 6 p.m., but you can always ask if you can come earlier. That’s exactly what we did.

Because of the pandemic, only one person was permitted in the office/camp store during our stay.

The abundance of hummingbirds by the porch swing was what caught our attention at the office. They were so lovely that I kept returning to them after using the restroom.

Because Bruce Spruce Ranch is small, you must drive yourself to the campsite. They will provide you with directions.

Our Campsite at Bruce Spruce Ranch

We ended up choosing a different site because our assigned site was too small and too close to the car. We moved to C site, which was larger and more central in the tent camping area.

The ground was flat, and there weren’t too many cones scattered around. The picnic table and water spigot were both nearby.

A curious squirrel watched us as we pitched our tent. Maybe he’s afraid we’ll mess up his cones. Hehe.

A lot of trees so we could hang our towels to dry.

After that, we ate our supper. It was so nice to sit outside and not be hot like it was back home in Texas.

I attempted to use the campground’s free WiFi from our tent site, but it was completely inoperable. It’s best to use it near the office, but even then, it’s spotty. With tall trees surrounding the campsite, I wasn’t expecting much.

Overnight at the Campground

We stayed at Bruce Spruce Ranch for two nights. The temperature was in the 50s both nights we were there, so sleeping in our sleeping bags inside our tent was comfortable.

If you want to spend an evening around the campfire, bring a light jacket. Or when you go for a morning walk around the campground.

Bathroom Facility in the Campground

The campground has one bathhouse, which is located next to the office. There are separate rooms for men and women. Each room has three individual stalls with a private dressing area, a toilet, and two bathroom sinks.

Although one toilet may seem insufficient, each cabin has a half bath with cold running water. You also have your own toilet if you camp in an RV.

Every morning, I can dry my hair because there are electrical outlets in the bathroom.

The stall in the middle was closed for social distance while we were there. The bathroom was cleaned three times per day. The entire time we were there, it was extremely clean, and there was no reason to be concerned.

Other Facilities at Bruce Spruce Ranch:

• Two trout ponds with stocking. One pond is catch and keep, while the other is catch and release only for fly fishing. A $25 permit is required, which can be purchased at the store. We do not enjoy fishing, so we did not use this facility.
• Each cabin and tent site, as well as some RV sites, has its own campfire ring. On request, there is a communal campfire ring and portable fire pits.
• Each cabin has a charcoal barbeque grill, and there is a grate on the fire ring in the tent area.
• There are horseshoe pits in the RV Park, Cabin Circle, and Faris House. They are available to everyone for free.
• The playground.
• Laundry service.
• Firewood is available for purchase, or you can cut your own from a pile near the lodge for free (ax available.)
• Ice, propane, and Bruce Spruce t-shirts and hats are for sale.
• Visitors can borrow books, puzzles, and playing cards.
• Helpful staff who will answer your questions.

Pet Policy:

• Only friendly dogs are permitted on the ranch, and guests and strangers must be able to approach your dog without fear of being harmed.
• Owners of aggressive dogs must leave immediately and without a refund.
• Dog owners are liable for any injuries, problems, or lawsuits.
• Dogs must be leashed at all times.
• Please keep excessive barking to a minimum.
• Always clean up after your dog.
• Dogs are welcome on tent and RV sites, but there is a daily fee of $10 per pet for cabin stays.
• Never leave your pets unattended on the ranch.

Brief details about the cabins and RV parking are provided below.

Rustic Cabins at Bruce Spruce Ranch

According to what I’ve read, generations of families have spent years staying in one of their 15 rustic cabins. From the time someone was a toddler until he married and had his own family. Many people make Bruce Spruce Ranch their annual summer destination.

Because we stayed in a tent, I can’t tell you much about the rustic cabin. I couldn’t look around because every cabin was occupied. And, during the pandemic, when everyone was keeping their distance from one another, it’s not easy to ask permission to look inside the cabins.

But don’t be concerned. Here’s a link to their cabins so you can look around. If you’re looking for secluded Pagosa Springs cabins.

RV Sites

I can’t tell you much about the RV sites, just like I can’t tell you much about the rustic cabins. All I know is that there are sites nestled in the trees, three of which are on tent sites.

Now that we have a travel trailer, I’d like to park it at Bruce Spruce Ranch the next time we visit Pagosa Springs. The Hinger family is wonderful, and they made you feel at ease during your stay.

The RV sites are across the street from the office and tent camping. Here is a link to their RV sites for your convenience.

Do I want to stay at Bruce Spruce Ranch in Pagosa Springs again?

Definitely! As previously stated, tall trees surrounded the campground area, which was a plus for me. Despite being close to the highway, we didn’t hear any traffic because of the layers of trees that separated the highway and the campground.

We were pleased with their facilities, and the ranch owner, the Hingers, was a pleasant individual.

Even though the WiFi connection was poor, it didn’t matter when we noticed a swarm of hummingbirds near the office. We even came across a golden-colored hummingbird!

Fall Creek and Wolf Creek are nearby. When we went for a walk with our dog Snoopy, they made for a fun destination.

And breathing fresh air during your stay is an added bonus at Bruce Spruce Ranch in Pagosa Springs. Not to mention the numerous deer sightings near the campground.

So, the next time you visit Pagosa Springs, stay at Bruce Spruce Ranch. You can go tent camping, RV camping, or stay in a cabin.

Note: Please keep in mind that I was not paid or otherwise compensated by Bruce Spruce Ranch for writing this review. Everything is based on our family’s two-night stay in the summer of 2020.