The 7 Secrets Of Highlands Camp & Retreat Center: Your Ultimate 2025 Guide To Colorado's Mountain Sanctuary
Highlands Camp & Retreat Center, nestled in the magnificent Rocky Mountains of Allenspark, Colorado, is more than just a getaway; it is a premier destination for spiritual renewal, adventure, and community building. As of December 23, 2025, this 293-acre Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center continues its mission to provide gracious hospitality and quality Christian programming, drawing groups and campers from across the nation with its breathtaking views and diverse offerings. The center’s programs, from residential summer camps to specialized group retreats, are meticulously designed to leverage the stunning natural environment, offering a unique blend of wilderness immersion and focused reflection.
The latest updates for 2025 confirm Highlands' status as a year-round haven, with specific pricing now available for everything from tent camping to large meeting room rentals, ensuring planners have the freshest information for their upcoming events. Whether you are seeking a high-altitude adventure for your youth group or a tranquil setting for a corporate conference, Highlands Camp & Retreat Center provides the facilities and the majestic backdrop—at the foot of Mt. Meeker—to make any gathering transformative.
Highlands Camp & Retreat Center: Essential Profile and History
Highlands Camp & Retreat Center is a cornerstone of the Christian retreat community in the Rocky Mountain region, managed in partnership with United Camps, Conferences and Retreats (UCCR). Its history is deeply rooted in a post-World War II vision to provide a mountain sanctuary for young people.
- Official Name: Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center
- Location: Allenspark, Colorado, USA
- Setting: 285–293 acres in the Rocky Mountains, overlooking the Meeker Valley.
- Geographical Features: Streams, ridges, meadows, pine forests, aspen groves, and dramatic granite rock formations.
- Affiliation: Presbyterian Church (USA)
- Founding Context: Established by Presbyterians in northern Colorado after World War II to create a dedicated summer camp and conference location.
- Mission Statement Focus: To provide gracious hospitality and quality Christian programming in a majestic mountain setting and to nurture spiritual renewal.
- Capacity: Accommodates groups ranging from 15 to 220 people.
- Renovation Highlight: Main meeting spaces were last renovated in 2002.
The Premier Facilities and Diverse Lodging Options for 2025
The center’s infrastructure is specifically designed to support both high-energy youth camps and tranquil adult retreats, offering a spectrum of lodging and meeting spaces. The goal is to ensure every group, from a small non-profit to a large church assembly, finds the perfect fit for their stay.
Flexible Meeting Spaces and Retreat Venues
Highlands boasts over 9,050 square feet of total meeting room space, providing flexibility for various event types. These spaces are equipped to host everything from educational presentations to worship services, often featuring vaulted windows that frame the breathtaking mountain views.
- Longs Peak: A large, premier meeting room, often mentioned alongside Meeker.
- Meeker: Another sizable meeting room (48x32 ft) available for daily rental, perfect for conferences.
- Hidden: A smaller, more intimate meeting space (32x39 ft) featuring a fireplace, ideal for smaller group breakout sessions or cozy gatherings.
- The Lodge: The central hub for dining, general gathering, and often includes a camp store run by staff like Sally Bellamy.
- The Amphitheater: An outdoor venue perfect for large group assemblies, evening programs, and campfires under the stars.
Lodging for Every Group Size
Highlands offers a variety of lodging options, ranging from modern comfort to rustic, high-altitude camping experiences. The center ensures that regardless of budget or preference, guests can find a comfortable place to rest.
- Diverse Cabins and Lodges: The main lodging buildings offer comfortable rooms and cabins, some of which include linens (available for an additional fee in 2025).
- Rustic Stay Options: For those seeking a more rugged experience, the center offers tent camping options. Current 2025 pricing for tent camping is set at $15 per person, per night.
- Day Use: Guests can also utilize the property for day events at a rate of $5 per person, per day.
The Top 7 Adventure and Spiritual Activities
The 293 acres of Highlands Camp & Retreat Center serve as a massive, natural playground, with programs focusing on adventure, confidence-building, and spiritual development. The curriculum is designed to challenge campers and retreat participants both physically and spiritually, instilling confidence and fostering deep connections.
- Rock Climbing: A signature adventure activity where campers overcome physical challenges, building confidence and trust in a supervised, safe environment.
- Archery: A classic camp activity that focuses on concentration, discipline, and skill development.
- Extensive Hiking Trails: The property’s location at the foot of Mt. Meeker and near Rocky Mountain National Park provides access to numerous scenic trails, allowing groups to explore the forest, aspen groves, and granite rock formations.
- Canoeing: Water activities provide a refreshing break and opportunities for teamwork and relaxation on the water.
- Team-Building Activities: Structured programs designed to enhance group cohesion, communication, and problem-solving skills, essential for both youth and corporate retreats.
- The Labyrinth: A dedicated, meditative space on the grounds, the Labyrinth offers a quiet path for reflection and spiritual renewal, a key part of the center’s mission.
- Vespers and Worship: The center’s Christian programming includes regular Vespers services, often held in the outdoor Amphitheater or a dedicated chapel area, providing a communal space for worship and reflection.
The natural environment itself is a core entity of the camp experience. It is not uncommon for guests to spot local wildlife, including the familiar bull moose, adding an element of wilderness wonder to the stay.
Topical Authority: Key Entities and Partners
Highlands Camp & Retreat Center maintains its high standard of quality through strategic partnerships and a focus on maintaining its unique mountain environment. Its affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA) ensures a consistent focus on its mission of spiritual growth.
Architectural and Program Entities
The quality of the facilities is a testament to careful planning and maintenance. The 2002 renovation and ongoing development are often overseen by experienced firms like Fletemeyer & Lee Associates (FLA), a multidisciplinary architecture and planning firm known for its work with retreat centers. The presence of the Activity Center and the dedicated Program Office highlights the professional structure behind their summer camp and retreat offerings.
Geographical and Natural Entities
The camp’s location is its most distinguishing feature, leveraging the following geographical entities for its programs:
- Mt. Meeker: The camp sits directly at the base of this iconic peak, providing stunning views and a sense of scale.
- Longs Peak: This famous peak is visible from many areas of the camp, including the Longs Peak meeting room, and is a constant reminder of the high-altitude setting.
- Meeker Valley: The camp overlooks this beautiful valley, offering panoramic vistas that enhance the retreat experience.
- Rocky Mountain National Park: While not part of the camp, the nearby National Park provides endless opportunities for extended excursions and high-country exploration, making Highlands an ideal base camp.
By focusing on these unique entities—from the granite rock and mountain stream features of the landscape to the specific names of its meeting spaces—Highlands Camp & Retreat Center solidifies its position as a premier, high-quality mountain destination for groups seeking both adventure and spiritual renewal in the heart of Colorado.
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