October 24-31, 2025

Master Plan Ministries' Sportsmen's Getaway is a weeklong Christian men's getaway in the San Juan Mountains just north of Durango, Colorado.  We have been hosting this event for decades as Cascade Lodge is the perfect location to get into the mountains to connect with God and other men.
​
Register Here

Decompress in the Colorado Outdoors During an Elk Rifle Season

Each day will have plenty of scheduled recreation time.  While men can choose any sport or leisure activity to pursue, we planned this event to coincide with the 2nd big game rifle hunting season, and elk hunting has historically been the go-to activity.

Connect with God and Other Christian Men​

Each evening we'll gather for about 45 minutes of sharing and Bible discussion, focusing on the most important things in life.  This element has historically been a highlight for men who have come to our Sportsmen's Getaway.

Note: Bull Elk tags and Bear licenses are over-the-counter during these dates in unit 74. Cow elk and all deer licenses are by draw only. First draw is April 1.
Confirm at cpw.state.co.us Master Plan is not an outfitter.

Picture
 Master Plan Ministries has been around since 1985. MPM's mission statement is "preparing others to reach and influence the world for Christ".  By coming to this event, you are helping Master Plan Ministries make an impact for eternity.  If we make any proceeds of of this event, they will go to one of our Great Commission oriented ministry initiatives.          

What to Expect:
  • Time to decompress from the pressures and responsibilities of life with majestic mountain views.  Nearly every day, the majority of time will be scheduled as self-guided recreational time which includes hunting!
  • Breakfast, big sack lunches, and dinner is included each day.
  • Participate in the evening Bible based discussions.  They are designed to be encouraging for you mind and soul. We all need a Christ centered perspective, and we don't believe in luck.  We'll pray for safe and successful hunts! 
  • An adventure, as much physical challenge as you want, meeting new people, having some fun exploring the San Juan Mountains.
  • High altitude: we will be recreating and hunting at high elevation.  Cascade Lodge is at 9,000' and temperatures could range from 10F to 75F.
  • Expect the unexpected – Inclement weather and snow are possibilities.
  • Space is limited- register early to save your spot.  See cancelation policy below.
 
Location:  The Getaway will be located at Cascade Lodge, 30 miles north of Durango, Colorado, in the San Juan National Forest. This area is bounded to the east by the majestic Needle Mountains in the Weminuche Wilderness area.  We'll be just north of the Durango Resort Ski Area, and South of Molas Pass and Silverton.  We will be in Game Unit 74.
 
Accommodations:   This Getaway will include cold and simple hot breakfast options.  Each night men can make their large-as-you-want sack lunch witch includes self-made lunchmeat sandwiches, PB&J's, beef jerky, candy bars, and other snack items. Dinner will be something hot a hearty. Friday night we plan to have a elk dinner. The Lodge is almost 100 years old and has a rustic western atmosphere, gorgeous scenery and hot showers.  Each man will get a simple single size memory foam, gel cooled bed in a bedroom large loft to be shared with up to 5 other men.  Cascade Lodge has 2 large multi-person bathrooms.  The secluded Cascade Lodge has decent cell signal for most carriers, but we will offer high speed wifi internet as well by starlink.

Recreational activities:
There are many activities in Colorado in our area to choose form.  Several hunting seasons coincide with this getaway including elk, deer, bear, small game, and there is plenty of quality fishing nearby.  We have spelled out some of the hunting details here, but please confirm our findings in the Colorado rules and regulations set out by the department of parks and Wildlife at  www.cpw.state.co.us  Master Plan ministries is not an outfitter. There are thousands of acres and dozens trails and 4x4 roads that are accessible within minutes from Cascade Lodge.  Great opportunities for photography, hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking and rock climbing are all in the area as well.
​
Important- If you would like to hunt for a cow elk or any deer, you must apply for the primary draw which closes in early April.  A second draw is also available in the summer.  Over the Counter (unlimited) bull elk licenses can be bought over the counter when you arrive or the Colorado wildlife website.  Please buy your hunting licenses in Durango or on-line before you come to the lodge.  You can confirm at cpw.state.co.us

Note: Master Plan Ministries is not a guide service, no outfitting services will be available.  We are a bunch of friends with experience that help each other out.  All hunting and fishing will be access orientated on public property. See our FAQ page for more details. One of the guys usually brings a horse so that he can help pack out an animal.  We usually bring up some meat processing equipment so that people can do their own butchering if they are blessed with successful hunt.

Getaway Cost:  
  • $750 Includes: lodging & food. Hunting and fishing licenses are additional as noted above.
  • We'll save your spot with a $200 online deposit and the remainder is due on arrival.
  • See discounts below.

Early Bird Specials:
  • If your deposit is received by end of June total registration cost is $650.
  • If your deposit received between July 1 and the end of August, your total registration cost is  $700.
  • If your deposit is received after September 1,  your total registration cost is $750.​
  • Your balance is due upon arrival in cash or check. This is not a donation, but fees for an event.

Volunteer Discount:  If you volunteer at our Cascade Lodge volunteer week in May, or Ranch volunteer week in June or at another ministry event during the same year as the Sportsmen's Getaway, we will credit you $50 per day volunteered to take off from the Sportsman's Getaway!  
  • If you want to come primarily for the fellowship and would like to ask about the camp cook discount, please email [email protected]

Arrival and Departure:
  • Arrival
    • Please schedule your arrival at Cascade Lodge anytime on Friday October 24th.  Be sure to settle in before our wild game kick off dinner at 6:00, group photo, and important Getaway orientation meeting.   
    • Optional- you may also plan to arrive a day early on Thursday October 23rd after 1 pm for extra time to settle in, scout and acclimate.  We'll have something hot for dinner around 6.
  • Departure
    • Please plan your departure on or by Friday, October 31st at 10:00 am.  You can leave earlier as you need to, but we hope you will be stay for the whole time.
    • Optional- The 2nd Rifle season does run through November 2nd 2025.  You can inquire about staying at Cascade longer, but this in on a case by case basis and is only available with staff approval.
 
By Plane:  Durango/La Plata County has a full-service airport.  Let us know your flight plans at least one-week before your arrival, and we can arrange to plan pick you up.   Cascade Lodge is a 45 minute drive to the airport.
 
Hunting Style: At this time, usually the weather is getting colder and the elk are bugling less and less. There is a lot of intrigue in calling correctly to see if a bull or cow will come in to the call. Stalking along game trails and using the wind correctly can also produce some great surprises and as well as some good shots. The elk are usually active, walking around and grazing from first light to 10am, then they lay down until around 4pm. So in the middle of the day, a wise hunter sits down and watches open areas where elk may be pushed by other hunters.

Fishing: Also at this time, fishing is good. Usually after 2-3 days of climbing mountains, fishing for a day can be a good break. There are a lot of good fishing places. The Kokanee Salmon snagging season may still be ongoing. 
 
Note: We will have a natural 100 yd shooting range with targets to check your gun sights and take some practice shots.

Preparation
Physically: Expect to be challenged by the mountains and the altitude.
Mentally: Expect your comfort zones to be challenged and expanded.
Spiritually:   God will do more than you expect!

Cancellation Policy-  See FAQ Page

Packing list - Click Here

Register Here
 

Questions: If you need further information, contact us at:
   
      E-mail: R[email protected]         or       [email protected]

                  970-769-7620                                                 970-749-7873

Cascade Lodge is operated under special use permit with the San Juan National Forest. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.