Drop camps, explained

What's actually in a drop camp

Outfitters pack the camp in ahead of you (commonly by horse or mule into backcountry or wilderness-area terrain you couldn't easily drive to), and it's waiting when you arrive. A typical setup includes:

• A wall tent or similar shelter, already pitched
• Cots, a table, and chairs
• A wood or propane stove, and basic cooking equipment
• A latrine

What it does not include is a guide hunting alongside you day to day. That's the core difference from a fully guided hunt, and the reason it costs less. Most drop camps are self-catered: you bring and cook your own food, sleeping bag, water treatment, and personal gear. Colorado drop-camp listing example

What's usually included beyond the camp itself

The detail that matters most is pack-out: many Colorado drop-camp outfitters include packing out any game you harvest by horse or mule, which is a real service on steep, remote terrain. Check whether it's included before you book, since it isn't universal. Colorado drop-camp listing example

What it costs, relative to guided and DIY

Drop-camp pricing is set by the outfitter, not the state, so treat any figure (including this one) as a range to confirm directly. Real Colorado drop-camp listings run from roughly $1,800 at the low end (larger groups, shorter trips) up to $4,500 or more for smaller groups or longer hunts, commonly priced per hunter and cheaper per person the more hunters in your party. Colorado drop-camp listing example That sits well below a fully guided hunt, which commonly runs $5,000-$15,000+ once a guide is with you every day, and above full DIY, which skips the packed camp and typically costs a few thousand dollars total including your license. Market pricing survey: Western Obsession TV

Who a drop camp suits

A drop camp fits hunters who can scout and hunt on their own (reading sign, judging terrain, field-dressing an animal) but want the backcountry access, camp logistics, and often the pack-out handled by someone who knows the country. It suits a group better than a solo hunter, since camp costs split more ways, and it suits hunters who don't want (or can't justify) the cost of a guide every day but also don't want to backpack in and set up camp themselves.

The trade-off is real: without a guide, your success depends entirely on your own scouting and hunting skill, and drop camps are usually in the same public, over-the-counter units anyone else can hunt, so expect other hunters in the area. If that trade-off doesn't sit right, vet a fully guided outfitter instead, or go full DIY and keep every dollar. The outfitter directory lists verified operators if you're ready to book.

Common questions

What is a drop camp in elk hunting?

A drop camp is a backcountry camp an outfitter packs in and sets up for you (tent, cots, stove, cooking gear) where you then hunt on your own without a daily guide. It's the middle option between full DIY and a fully guided hunt.

How much does a Colorado drop camp cost?

Commonly in the roughly $1,800-$4,500 per-hunter range, depending on group size, season, and length of stay. It's set by the individual outfitter, not the state, so confirm the current price and what's included directly.

Does a drop camp include a guide?

No. That's the defining difference from a fully guided hunt. You hunt on your own once the camp is set up. Some outfitters offer a guide as a paid add-on for part of the trip, but it's not standard to a drop camp.

Is a drop camp cheaper than hiring a fully guided outfitter?

Yes, usually substantially. A drop camp commonly runs $1,800-$4,500 per hunter versus $5,000-$15,000+ for a fully guided hunt, because you're not paying for a guide's time every day. See what a guided hunt costs for the full comparison.