Experience Camp V: A Unique Glamping Getaway in Colorado
In all the planning for my southwest Colorado getaway, belting ohmmm in an echoing old water tank never made the prospective itinerary. Nor did stumbling upon a half-buried school bus hidden in the cactus-freckled canyons of western Colorado. But here I am, soaking up the magic of Camp V, an upcycled mining town-turned-boutique glamping getaway that officially opened this April.
My guide is Natalie Binder, the brains behind this chic-yet-gritty operation just outside Naturita, a small Colorado town one hour west of ski haven Telluride. Binder bought this massive property, a dilapidated 1940s mining camp for nearby Vanadium Corporation of America, in 2017. At the time, it was a glorified junkyard. However, Binder saw possibility where others saw only carelessness, recognizing a way to reconnect with her roots, as her father lived in the mining camp as a child.
“The first time I saw that ‘for sale’ sign, my wheels started turning because of the history and potential,” she told me as we ducked out of the hilltop water tank to catch sunrise over camp, a 120-acre plot of cabins, art, and Airstreams, with the snow-dusted San Juan Mountains in the distance. Although this isn’t Binder’s first foray into the travel industry, her hospitality background spans 20 years, largely focusing on luxury brands and properties. However, Binder acknowledged that upcycling a massive forgotten mining camp appeared daunting.
Ideal Campgrounds to Experience on Your Next Adventure
Nevertheless, Binder pushed forward, with much help from the supportive community and spirited business partners, Jodie and Bruce Wright, founders of Telluride’s One Architects. The team has created a dynamic open-air playground that captivates artists and adventure seekers alike, where upcycled mining parts serve as explorable art, and the canyons, mountains, and adjacent San Miguel River pulse with exhilarating possibilities.
Like the uninhibited grounds, a stay at Camp V is a choose-your-own-adventure experience. The cabins, a row of surprisingly luxe digs, salvage as much of the original mining-camp structures as possible. Vibrant art and vintage records make guests feel right at home, as do the breakfast boxes awaiting in the fridge, sourced from local organic shops like Wild Gal’s Market in the nearby town of Nucla. Moreover, RV hookups are conveniently available just beyond the cabins.
Camping at Camp V offers another opportunity to blend luxury with adventure. The campsite, a five-minute downhill walk from the main grounds, is steps from the San Miguel River. Campers can relax in a refurbished school bus ideal for remote work, enjoy a stylish lounge area reminiscent of Marrakesh, and explore a nearby pond and floating dock equipped with stand-up paddleboards and canoes.
No matter the lodging choice, all guests can enjoy Camp V’s various amenities and events. The Prairie Wind Chapel, a camp beacon built by Burning Man artist Robert Hoehn, is open 24 hours for enjoyment and reflection. Campfire events, including cookouts with Telluride chef and influencer Marla Meridith, create bonds through shared bites and conversation. Furthermore, the side-by-side history tour on the Rimrocker Trail stands out as an adrenaline-filled adventure. This 160-mile roller coaster off-road trail connects Montrose, Colorado, with Moab, Utah, and features local historians from the Rimrocker Historical Society who help guests understand the past and present of often-overlooked mining communities.
Each offering at Camp V contributes to Binder’s larger hospitality vision: redefining luxury. “To me, luxury means connection,” said Binder. “It means beauty. It means feeling connected to something bigger—seeing parallels, and understanding what’s happening in rural America right now. To evolve, to learn, to grow, to feel connected—that’s really what it means to be rich.”
