FAQ

We open for paying guests on Memorial Day and close sometime around October 1st, depending on weather and staffing. Volunteers and staff arrive in May.

We are a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization, which means we are run by a board of directors and not owned by an individual. Shadowcliff was founded by Warren and Patt Rempel and remained in their care until 2000.

No. Shadowcliff was founded by Warren and Patt Rempel. Warren, a visionary and leader of various faiths, and Patt, a registered nurse, found great solace in the humbling nature of Grand Lake and sharing that became their dream. Shadowcliff began as a friendship center and gathering place for anyone and everyone traveling on their own spiritual journey. While we continue to have relationships with a wide variety of faith organizations and feature lots of religious symbols on our property, Shadowcliff has never been a religious organization. Our mission is “Together, we are creating a climate for a restorative world.” We deeply believe that retreat and renewal are essential to the health of the human spirit and welcome people from all walks of life and belief systems.

No. We love animals, but the local wildlife doesn’t share our sentiment. Unless your dog is a certified service animal, you’ll need to leave your furry/feathered/scaled friend at home. Mountain Mongrels and Four Paws Resort are two local pet boarding businesses if you are traveling and need someone nearby to watch your pet.

We provide each guest sheets and towels, so no need to bring yours. We ask that you leave the sleeping bags at home or in your backpack. Soap dispensers are in all the showers. The guest kitchens in both lodges, Upper Fireside, Overlook, and Riverbend, are all stocked with cooking supplies and utensils, dishes, cups, flatware, coffee maker, microwave, and all the major appliances. You shouldn’t need to bring much beyond food and drink! (We do supply clean, fresh tap water.) We do not supply charcoal or other outdoor grilling supplies. There are grills available for Upper Fireside, Overlook, and Riverbend cabins. Seasonal fire restrictions may prohibit outdoor grilling from time to time.

No. Our Compassionate Kitchen prepares food only for groups who have prepaid for meals. Occasionally we’ll have extra room at the table when a food group is staying with us or decide to create a meal to celebrate something like the 4th of July. In either event, we’ll sell meal tickets and let our guests know what’s available. Otherwise, meals being served are reserved just for the group who paid for them. The dining room space in Rempel is available for use by anyone eating a meal at Shadowcliff, whether prepared by you in our Guest Kitchen or by us.

Yes. Provided there is no fire ban, we stock all fire pits and places with cut wood. Grills are available at Overlook, Riverbend and Upper Fireside Cabins and are also subject to fire ban restrictions.

Yes and no. We have a wonderful chapel and outside space onsite that have seen many a couple walk into matrimonial bliss. As a non-profit lodge and retreat center with a deep volunteer tradition, an all-inclusive wedding option is open only to those who have volunteered with us or been on staff. Volunteers are invited to join us each May to help prepare our lodge for opening and periodically throughout our season as needed. If you'd like to learn more about volunteering or you know already you're interested in joining us, please email our General Manager. If you are interested in having the magic of our chapel as your ceremony location only (no lodging, meals, reception, etc), we are happy to talk with you about that. Our chapel is often available for a few hours and is a wonderful place for the low key couple and ceremonies 50 people or fewer. We do not work with wedding parties outside of these options, including groups staying at Shadowcliff that are attending a wedding elsewhere.    

We love working with groups and are the perfect fit for those of 50 or fewer people who want an experience where nature is central to the stay. We have a total of 16 lodge rooms, all of which have a queen bed and at least one bunk bed. Both lodges have well maintained shared bathrooms. We have wonderful meeting spaces, wifi, and lots of great nooks for small group discussion and break out sessions. The all-inclusive group experience includes three meals a day, meeting space, and lodging, but we also work with groups who only need lodging (with or without meeting space). We can also provide support with facilitation services, guided hikes, and coordinating various activities. Please contact executive director Kathy Baldwin (kathy@shadowcliff.org) to learn more.

We work year round with groups to book their experiences for the upcoming and future seasons. For individuals, online reservations begin February 1st.

If you’re looking to bring a group of 10 people or more, you’ll need to connect with executive director Kathy Baldwin by emailing kathy@shadowcliff.org. If you’re looking to bring fewer than 10 people, reservations can be made by calling 970-627-9220 or emailing office@shadowcliff.org based on the dates in the reservation schedule listed above. February 1st our online reservation system opens, and can be accessed by the Book Now! button on the homepage and in the Stay section of our website.