I have always envisioned a spa-like bathroom with dual sinks and heated floors for those cold nights when I need to step outside—never thought I’d find such luxury deep in the woods, within a cozy log cabin.

Located in Colorado’s Pikes Peak Forest, The Ranch at Emerald Valley offers an experience vastly different from my childhood Girl Scout camping trips, which featured basic amenities like outdoor toilets and communal meals at picnic tables. Originally, this site was a Girl Scout camp until it was acquired over a century ago by Spencer Penrose, a fortunate miner who turned his riches into real estate. He established the grand Broadmoor Hotel in 1918 and created these cabins as a luxurious summer getaway. (Former Girl Scouts can rest easy: the proceeds from the sale helped sustain the organization in the Colorado Springs area.)

Nowadays, those cabins are included in the Broadmoor collection and provide a blend of rustic charm and modern elegance, all set against 100,000 acres of beautiful Pike National Forest. With breathtaking blue skies, rugged mountains, and towering evergreens, my family found ourselves as enchanted by the landscape as Penrose must have been a hundred years ago.

My husband and I brought our adventurous four-year-old son, Jimmy, for four days of hiking, fly fishing, and his first pony ride, which surely won’t be his last!

As city dwellers who typically spend too much time indoors, even our outdoor-loving toddler is happier in front of screens than outside. Our cabin—one of only ten, and completely free of a TV—allowed us to escape the hustle of city life back in Boston.

We enjoyed three nights in a comfortable room decorated with earthy Western designs and wooden furnishings that made us feel as if we had stepped back in time. My husband and I shared a queen-sized bed surrounded by windows to let the sounds of nature in, while Jimmy settled comfortably into his own cot beside the cozy gas fireplace.

The warm hospitality at The Ranch at Emerald Valley began as soon as we arrived via a shuttle from the Broadmoor, following a scenic 45-minute drive through unspoiled forest. The staff warmly greeted us just outside and guided us to the main lodge, where we enjoyed warm cookies and blueberry lemonade. Adults could add a splash of their favorite spirit from the selection of local craft liquors if they wished. We opted out, but Jimmy became fast friends with Zoe, the bartender who concocts delightful mocktails for families.

All food, beverages, and activities at the ranch are included, and we were pleasantly surprised by how quickly the staff remembered our names and my son’s dietary restrictions.

The chef prepared a tailored menu just for our three-day stay, ensuring Jimmy had plenty to eat. The three-course dinners we enjoyed were far from the beans and chili commonly associated with cowboy fare—featuring delicious cuts of beef from nearby ranches and produce sourced from local farms. The atmosphere was refreshingly casual, with jeans and shorts perfectly acceptable in the cozy main lodge, where the crackling fireplace added warmth and ambiance.

Jimmy had a great time trying his hand at trout fishing after an afternoon with a fly-fishing instructor. Emiliano, the instructor, was incredibly patient, helping him set up a suitable kid-sized fishing rod for the small pond and teaching him how to reel in and release his slippery catch.

The hiking trails were a delight for everyone, catering to all skill levels, from the shortest to the tallest. While some more adventurous couples chose guided climbs to the summit, our family enjoyed leisurely walks through the woods and fields, taking in the sights and flavors. Jimmy devoured wild raspberries, admired butterflies, and gathered wildflowers for our cabin.

Jimmy’s beaming smile shone brightest during his first horseback ride on the gentle mare, Annie. Both Annie and the instructor exhibited immense patience as he cautiously prodded her with his hiking boots, gradually gaining confidence to give her a firmer nudge. Jimmy was particularly interested in her horseshoes, which sparked an opportunity to explain the classic lawn game to him.

One of the highlights of our stay at the Ranch at Emerald Valley was the chance to mingle with other guests during happy hour and around the campfire while making s’mores. We encountered couples on babymoons, others on romantic escapes relishing the beautiful cedar hot tubs, and teens on family trips taking a break from their Nintendo Switch. One family had even chosen the largest cabin for their reunion after finally finding a place all of them could agree upon. It was clear to see why.

As Jimmy rapidly grows from age four to fourteen, we have made it a priority to enjoy vacations like our time at The Ranch at Emerald Valley. It offers ample space to spread out and disconnect while still nurturing our connections with one another and the beauty of nature.

Our family’s getaway at a former Girl Scout camp blended rustic charm with a touch of elegance and was originally featured on FamilyVacationist.com.

The views and opinions presented in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YSL News. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are part of Vacationist Media LLC. Through the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation method, we assess and choose family vacation ideas, destinations, all-inclusive resorts, and classic family trips suited for all ages. TourScoop specializes in reviews of guided group tours, tour operators, and travel gear recommendations.