Anderson "Western Colorado" Camps, was established in 1962 under the direction of Travis Anderson and his wife Lislott Anderson. The first program set up was the Colorado River Ranch for Boys, which was located on the current camp property at the confluence of Sweetwater Creek and the Colorado River. This first summer there 8 boys enrolled in the program. In 1968, the Wilderness Pioneer Camp was founded. This camp was based out of The Pioneer Lodge, which was a hunting cabin reached only by four-wheel drive, located about 20 miles up the road from the current camp property. Finally, in 1969, the Hill Top Ranch for Girls was added, and was located 10 miles up Sweetwater creek from the current camp property. Each camp had its own separate staff and facilities, but the campers regularly interacted with children from the other camps.

In 1978 Travis Anderson passed away in an unfortunate plane crash. His wife, Lislott Anderson, and Scott Stuart ran the camp until Scott purchased it in 1979. Scott had been associated continuously with the camp since 1966. In 1987 all three camps became one and moved down to the current property.

In 1997 Christopher Porter, a previous camper and counselor, returned to camp and now leases it from Scott. Christopher is still the current Camp Director.