The road to Basecamp winds through fields outside Kremmling, where sage and hay stretch to the horizon. As you climb, the landscape shifts. Evergreens gather, aspens shimmer and suddenly you are in a different world. A high-country mix of forest, meadow and sky. Tucked into these aspen-covered hills, at the base of Rabbit Ears Pass, is a place that has been part of our family story for decades. Now, it is becoming part of yours.
A Dream Years in the Making
Audrey grew up with real estate in her bones. Her dad is a Realtor, and she always imagined herself owning a property that was more than just a building. She wanted something with heart. A few years back, Clayton even found a campground we almost bought. The timing wasn’t right, but the dream didn’t fade.
When this property came up for sale, tucked next to the neighborhood where our family mountain home, aka MP, sits, it felt like everything had come full circle. We had driven past it countless times on our way to weekends in the hills. Suddenly, here was the chance to take our dream and plant it right where our roots already ran deep.
Starting With Strong Bones
The cabins themselves were in great shape, lovingly restored by the previous owners. The Ranch House was the exception. It stood empty, waiting for someone to give it some life. That became our first family project. Merrick and Kinsley gave up most of their spring break to help paint, decorate and transform the space with us. More recently, all of us have been working together on the newest addition, Valleyview Cabin. It has been a hands-on adventure from the start.
The Village Behind Basecamp
Rabbit Ears Basecamp may be run by HowesFam4, Audrey, Clayton, Merrick, and Kinsley, but it has been shaped by more than just us. Audrey’s mom and sister pitched in on the Ranch House. Clayton’s parents have helped with turnovers and numerous projects. Close friends have jumped in too. That is why every stay carries little details you will notice when you come. The way a photo hangs, the piece of reclaimed wood, the gnome tucked into a corner. This place carries fingerprints of the people who helped build it.
Why “Basecamp”?
When we purchased the property, it was called Rabbit Ears Adventure Cabins. We loved the spirit of that name, but to us, this place is more than cabins. It is a starting point. A basecamp is where every adventure begins, whether that is chasing powder on a snowmobile, hiking to a wildflower meadow, casting a fly in a cold mountain stream or simply sitting on the porch with a hot cup of coffee.
For our family, Rabbit Ears Pass has always symbolized the heart of adventure. Clayton grew up spending time at his family’s property near Steamboat, known as The Ranch. He brought Audrey there before we were married, sharing with her the place that shaped so much of his childhood. Then his parents purchased MP on this side of Steamboat. We have been coming to MP ever since, and it is right next door to what is now Rabbit Ears Basecamp.
Merrick came up for the first time at just three weeks old, tucked safely into his car seat for a ride up the mountain on a snowmobile. Kinsley followed a couple of years later and has spent many a birthday up here. Both kids have grown up with MP and Rabbit Ears Pass woven into their lives. That history makes this place all the more special.
The Spirit of Basecamp
Our vision for Basecamp is simple. When you arrive, you feel at home. We have tried to think through the small details so you can drop your bags, take a breath and settle in. At the same time, we hope Basecamp sparks curiosity. The mountains outside your door are calling and we want every guest to leave with a story of their own adventure.
Unlike a resort or a cluster of vacation rentals, this is a small, family-run collection of stays. You will find quiet, you will find connection and you will find a location that is perfectly placed for exploring. Close to everything, yet far from the crowds.
A Little Mountain Magic
Not every adventure is about climbing peaks or covering miles of trail. Sometimes it is the small things that stay with you. The sound of laughter carried from a cabin table. The glow of aspens catching the last light. Pennies tucked into the bartop.
It is also in the unexpected. That is where the gnomes come in. Audrey has always loved them, so we decided they should be part of Basecamp too. A gnome or two hides in every stay, waiting to be found. They are reminders that wonder lives in the details, and that every visit has a bit of surprise tucked in.
An Ongoing Story
Rabbit Ears Basecamp is the story of a family who fell in love with a place and wanted to share it. It is a story of spring breaks spent painting, weekends swinging hammers, grandparents with tool belts, kids with paint in their hair and friends showing up when it mattered most.
And now, it is your story too. Every guest who stays here becomes part of what Basecamp is and what it will become.
We hope you will come see it for yourself. Unplug, explore and feel at home in the high country. Most of all, come stay wild. Because adventure starts where you stay wild.
