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Holzwarth Historic Site: A Glimpse into Rocky Mountain Homesteading

Discover early 1900s homesteading and dude ranch life at this historic site in Rocky Mountain National Park's scenic Kawuneeche Valley.

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Step back in time at the Holzwarth Historic Site in Rocky Mountain National Park, where you can explore the preserved homestead and dude ranch of the Holzwarth family from the early 1900s. Experience the life of early settlers and enjoy the beautiful Kawuneeche Valley.

A brief summary to Holzwarth Historic Site

  • Monday 9:30 am-2:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:30 am-2:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9:30 am-2:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:30 am-2:30 pm
  • Friday 9:30 am-2:30 pm
  • Saturday 9:30 am-2:30 pm
  • Sunday 9:30 am-2:30 pm

Local tips

  • Visit during the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) when the historic cabins are open for tours and staffed with interpretive guides.
  • Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially moose and elk, in the Kawuneeche Valley surrounding the site.
  • The trail to the site is a relatively flat, gravel path, making it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
  • Check the Rocky Mountain National Park website or visitor center for information on interpretive programs and tour schedules.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Holzwarth Historic Site is located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, approximately 8 miles north of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road (US Highway 34). From Grand Lake, drive north on Trail Ridge Road. The parking area for the site is well-signed. Park entrance fees apply. Timed entry permits may be required to enter the park between May and October from 9 AM to 2 PM. Check the park's website for current requirements. Parking is free at the trailhead.

  • Walking

    From the parking area, follow the level, gravel trail for approximately 0.5 miles (1 km) to reach the Holzwarth Historic Site. The trail is generally accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. However, the interiors of the historic structures are not wheelchair accessible. During the winter, the trail is not plowed and access is by snowshoe or cross-country skis only.

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Discover more about Holzwarth Historic Site

The Holzwarth Historic Site, located in the Kawuneeche Valley on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, offers a unique glimpse into the lives of early 20th-century homesteaders in the Colorado Rockies. In 1917, John and Sophia Holzwarth, German immigrants, sought a new life and settled here after John's saloonkeeping job in Denver was eliminated due to Prohibition. They built a homestead and began welcoming guests, eventually establishing the Holzwarth Trout Lodge and Never Summer Ranch, some of the first dude ranches in Colorado. The site features several restored cabins, including the Mama Cabin, where Sophia prepared meals for guests, and other buildings that showcase ranching life in the 1920s. Visitors can explore these buildings and learn about the Holzwarth family's legacy through interpretive exhibits and guided tours during the summer months. The site is open year-round, but the buildings are only open during the summer. The Holzwarths sold the ranch to The Nature Conservancy in 1974, who then transferred it to the National Park Service in 1975. While the Never Summer Ranch buildings were removed to restore the area, the Holzwarth Trout Lodge complex was preserved to represent early dude ranching in the Rockies. The site provides an opportunity to appreciate the self-sufficiency required for survival in a remote mountain environment and to imagine life in the early days of Rocky Mountain National Park.

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