Getting Here

Nestled in the majestic Sangre de Cristo mountains of southern Colorado, the Blazing Mountain Retreat Center (BMRC) is located at 2541 Carefree Way, Crestone, CO 81131.

When driving to the center, please respect the Crestone community by using the directions given below. Please do not use directions given by Google Maps, GPS services, etc., as these routes will take you through quiet residential neighborhoods.

Flying

We strongly urge you to fly into Denver International Airport (DEN), which is a four-hour drive from Crestone. You can also fly into Alamosa County Airport (ALA), a regional airport which is a one-hour drive to Crestone. However, you will need to arrange your own ground transportation from Alamosa, which can be cost prohibitive. Denver flights tend be less expensive and involve fewer connections.

There are also ground transportation options aside from car rentals available from the Denver airport. Please see the general information below and check the program registration page for program-specific options — not all options below are available for every program.

Getting from Denver International Airport to Blazing mountain

Charter Bus

For some programs, it is possible to charter a private shuttle service directly from Denver International Airport to Blazing Mountain Retreat Center. The team at Blazing Mountain can provide guidance on coordinating this service during the booking process.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

When we are unable to offer the chartered shuttle service, you may use another option that has multiple travel steps as described below. 

Step 1: Book your flight so you arrive in Denver by 10:45am

Step 2: Light rail from DIA to downtown Denver

Trains every 10-15 minutes

Take Denver RTD to travel between the airport and the Denver Amtrak train/bus station (Union Station). Schedule information can be found here: Denver RTD.  Pay cash or credit card, $9, just before you board.

Step 3: Bustang/Alpine Express from Denver to Salida

Once per day, leaves at 1:55 pm and arrives in Salida at 5:05 pm (Connect w/ Pueblo to Alamosa bus in Salida)

Bustang Service run by Alpine Express runs a bus that travels daily from the downtown Denver Amtrak Station (Union Station) to Salida. Tickets are not available for advanced purchase. Please be prepared to pay $29 cash when you board the bus.  Look for the gate at Union Station that says “Bus to Gunnison.”

Step 4: Bustang/Outrider from Salida to Moffat

Leaves at 5:05 pm and Arrives in Moffat at 6:08 pm

Tickets can be purchased with cash only, $7. You will find this bus at the same station in Salida where you are dropped off. Currently, it is not possible to make a reservation for this bus.

Step 5: Moffat Shuttle to Blazing Mountain Retreat Center

Moffat is a small town just down the road from Crestone. The Blazing Mountain staff can provide information on how to coordinate travel from Moffat to the retreat center via shuttle during the booking process.The cost is $15.

For the return trip from Crestone to the Denver airport, please reverse the steps and travel above. The Moffat Shuttle leaves early for the return trip at around 6:00am to get you to Moffat to catch the bus at 6:45am. Your outbound flight from DIA should not leave before 1:30pm.

Driving

Click here for a printable version of the driving directions.

Directions from Denver International Airport

  • Take Pena Blvd South/West for about 10 miles, until it merges into I-70 West.

  • Take I-70 West for about 25 miles.

  • Merge onto CO-470 E via Exit 260 toward Colorado Springs, and go 5.7 miles.

  • Merge onto US-285 South toward Fairplay.

  • Take 285 South through Fairplay, through Johnson Village, SOUTH, on 285 through Villa Grove (about 150 miles).

  • After passing through Villa Grove watch for a turnoff from 285 to RT 17 on your Left. Take RT 17 through Moffat.

  • As you are about to pass the southern end of Mofat look for a small sign for Crestone. You will turn Left on T Road heading East towards Crestone.

In order to minimize traffic disturbance in the neighborhood surrounding the Blazing Mountain Retreat Center, please use the routes described below.  Keep in mind that Crestone is a community that values quiet and slowness.  The roads are shared by pedestrians, cyclists, elk, coyote, (even at night), so it is very important to be alert and aware when driving in Crestone. 

  • From Hwy 17, turn onto County Road T, toward the mountains.

  • After 11.8 miles on CR T, you’ll come to wide fork in the road. Go right at the fork onto Camino Baca Grande. (Note: bearing left at this fork takes you into downtown Crestone).

  • After 2.2 miles on Camino Baca Grande, turn right on Camino Real (locally known as “Two Trees”). You’ll see Camino Real shortly after passing Brookview Way.

  • Continue on Camino Real for 0.8 miles, and then turn left on Wagon Wheel Rd.

  • Stay on Wagon Wheel until you come to a stop sign (1.9 miles). Turn left on Camino Del Rey.

  • Continue on Camino Del Rey for 1.2 miles, where the road ends in a T. Turn left onto Camino Baca Grande. Continue on Camino Baca Grande for 0.7 miles.

  • Turn left at the first opportunity onto unmarked Carefree Way. (There are several large rocks on the corner of Camino Baca Grande and Carefree Way.)

  • The residence hall is the first building on the right. The shrine hall is the second building on the right.