Cow Camp is a Backcountry Homestead between Loveland and Estes Park
The homestead and 960 acres of foothills forest and meadows were recently donated to Heart-J Center by Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch. Check out the map of the donation area and a timeline of Cow Camp’s history at the bottom of this page.
Heart-J Center is restoring this incredible place, built in 1915.
The restoration effort will create a backcountry retreat space ~ a unique backdrop for learning, team building, exploration, personal
growth, and healing.
Cow Camp has served Sylvan Dale guests as the home of the overnight pack trip since the 1970s. This restoration effort will ensure that Cow Camp will be able to continue to host Sylvan Dale guests for generations to come, and restore beloved features, like the sleeping loft in the barn!
The historic house and barn are in disrepair and open to the weather.
We need your help to make this urgent restoration possible!
The restoration will save Cow Camp’s historic homestead and will provide an incredible location for Heart-J Center programs and retreats:
Horse Pack Trips
Youth Program Overnights
Veteran & First Responder Retreats
Leadership Development Programs
Parent & Youth Hunting Education
Corporate & Organizational Training
Health & Wellness Retreats
Backcountry/Wilderness Skills
Scientific Research
Timeline of Cow Camp and Sylvan Dale Backcountry History
Sylvan Dale’s backcountry lands consist of 1,200 acres of forest and meadows halfway between Loveland and Estes Park. This is a truly wild landscape, providing relatively undisturbed wildlife habitat.
The parcels shown in orange on the map are protected by conservation easements held by Larimer County and Colorado Open Lands. These parcels were donated to Heart-J Center by Sylvan Dale Ranch in December 2021. The Ranch retains the westernmost parcel which will be donated to Heart-J Center in the future.
