Stunning yurt property near Creede Colorado

We JUST opened this yurt up for some winter visits! You must be backcountry savvy and be prepared to break trail for 1.5 miles from the parking area. Sorry, no dogs in winter when we melt snow for drinking water. Read our 230+ 5-star reviews to see what other guests have to say. BE SURE to check out our newest yurt by searching Airbnb near Creede CO for "The NEW EAGLE NEST Yurt near Creede". It is 1/3 mile away and accessed by a different road providing complete privacy for both yurts. We just opened the calendar for this yurt for a few weeks this winter. You must have prior winter backcountry experience to rent the yurt. The yurt is not regularly maintained during the winter so it is up to guests to pay it forward for the next folks and leave it clean and stocked. That is our standard model anyway since we don't charge a cleaning fee but the difference is that someone goes up between each group to check on everything in the summer when we can drive to the property. You may want to reserve early as this yurt tends to book solid for the season. However, our new EAGLE NEST YURT IS NOW COMPLETE! This is a new larger yurt with more amenities and the same great views (but both are totally private from each other and accessed on different roads). Just search Airbnb for " The Eagle Nest Yurt Near Creede" or go toward the bottom of either listing page and click on my picture next to "Hosted by Mark" and then look for "Mark's Listings" for full details. FOR LARGER GROUPS - Now you can rent both yurts for up to 10 people. There is a trail through the wooded portion between the yurts and then a flat meadow so it's an easy 1/4 to 1/3 mile walk with basically no elevation difference between them. Both yurts are totally private from each other yet close enough that a large group can book both properties together. This yurt is accessed on a different road so you should never see the guests from the other yurt... unless you want to. The EAGLE NEST Yurt is spring/summer/fall rental only, no winter rentals at this time. PHOENIX RIDGE YURTS is a wilderness lodging establishment located in one of the most spectacular settings imaginable in the beautiful San Juan Mountains near Creede Colorado! Since discovering Airbnb we now are connecting with cool people from all over the planet that want to come and experience one of Colorado's most unique mountain getaways. We have over 200 reviews now with close to 100% 5-star ratings and we want to make sure that your personal experience staying with us is just plain awesome! We were featured two years in a row in Denver's popular 5280 Magazine **Dogs are allowed during the summer, but not in winter when guests melt snow for drinking water for obvious reasons. Folks, this is a true wilderness experience in the rugged San Juan Mountains, so you need to be as prepared as if you were camping. The yurt is an awesome shelter which isn't like camping at all, but there is no power (except a small solar system), no running water, no Internet or cell phone service at all on the property. You are only 5 miles from town, but you are truly in the wilderness at the yurt. ** WINTER - Winter reservations are limited at this yurt and you must be prepared to break trail through deep snow to get to the yurt. It is only 1-1/2 miles from the parking area to yurt but if the snow is deep you must be in good physical shape and prepared for the trek in. It can snow multiple feet overnight here in the San Juan mountains. Contact Mark for current trail conditions. Some things to note before booking: 1. A true high-clearance 4WD vehicle is required for the last couple of miles or so to access the property! That means true 4WD SUVs, jeeps, or 4WD trucks. The road isn't all that steep, but it is rough and can get rougher quickly depending on weather, etc. You can bring any vehicle you like and many have and made it just fine. But there are no refunds if you don't have a true 4WD and can’t access the property. Please read our reviews about what others say about the road. 2. All adult guests must sign a liability release form before staying. This is a true backcountry experience and it is essential that you are prepared for any situation, especially during the winter months in the rugged San Juan Mountains. No cell phone or internet for emergencies, wild animals are nearby, wild weather, and all the challenges you would face if you were backpacking — except you can drive back to town in about 15 minutes. 3. You need to bring your own sleeping bags, we provide a queen bed, sterilized waterproof mattress cover and pillow protectors (no other bedding), bunk beds and cots but you will need a decent sleeping bag even in the summer. In the warmer summer months some guests bring their own bedding (sheets, comforter, etc.) which is fine if you don't want a sleeping bag. 4. You must bring your own towels, pillow cases and ALL WATER YOU WILL NEED (summer/fall). Winter you will melt snow for water. 5. You MUST arrive during daylight hours! The yurt is not visible from anywhere, so it’s extremely difficult to find at night. Plan ahead please and stay at nearby lodging the night before if you must to be sure to arrive during the day. We do provide detailed directions on how to find the yurt and some satellite screenshots and GPS coordinates to help. 6. You must clean the yurt yourself before leaving, there is no cleaning service available but we also don't charge anything. We have had fantastic luck with the Airbnb crowd paying it forward for other guests by cleaning up and even leaving extra water, spices and other thoughtful items. We provide: Detailed directions on how to get to the yurt and instructions on how to use everything there with access combinations, etc. will be provided approximately 1 week before your stay Satellite screenshot of the yurt and local landmarks GPS coordinates that you can plug into satellite GPS programs (like GE - they won't let me spell this out) to check out the vicinity near the yurt Hiking documents with some hikes right from the yurt along with links to topo maps and other resources Unlimited firewood and a great wood stove that will keep you warm even in the depths of winter All cooking implements; pots, pans, silverware, coffee percolator, metal french press Paper towels and toilet paper Queen size 12” memory foam mattress and bed (new in 2018) New - Cabela's camping bunk beds. We removed the pull out sofa and put these in, they work great. You can take them apart and use as cots instead of bunk bed if you like. Propane oven/range Kitchen table and chairs Attached 12’ yurt as a bathroom with composting toilet (summer/fall, outhouse in winter), shower stall (heat water in a Zodi brand shower canister, more below) Battery operated lanterns for lighting along with battery LED “light switches” throughout the yurt. Also some portable rechargeable (solar system) LED lights Outdoor propane BBQ Outdoor propane fire pit you can use even in a fire ban. NO OUTDOOR FIRES ARE EVER ALLOWED AT THE YURT. There are thousands of bettle-killed trees just waiting to burn. You will be required to state that you won't have any outdoor fires. Propane provided for oven/range, BBQ and fire pit Games and some books (more below) Great deck for riding the planet. The weather, the mood and the seasons seem to change here hourly. Grab a bottle of wine and wonder why you just can’t seem to muster the energy for anything else. Note on water - We tried for the last 3 years to provide some wash water for guests but we now require you to bring ALL WATER with you (since you can drive right to the yurt). Our water jugs sat in the sun on the porch for many days which made the water unsafe to drink and we just could not get people to minimize use so that there was water for other guests. You can buy inexpensive and handy 5-gallon water dispensers at any grocery store. The info below is more FYI with extra details in case you are interested: The yurt itself is a fairly modest dwelling, it's really the setting that makes it so special. But we pride ourselves in the level of communication we have with you beforehand to make sure that you are well informed and totally prepared for your backcountry stay with us and the yurt is comfortable and cozy. But there is no running water or electricity and also, so please don't expect a hotel-like setting. But if you love the great outdoors and nature, then you owe it to your self to come and visit. What you get when you stay here is the feeling of being deep in the wilderness, yet having easy access and creature comforts surrounding you. You will still burn wood as your heat source and water is limited to melting snow in the winter or what you bring with you in the summer and fall. But this is a backcountry experience that you will never forget. Here is what you will experience when you stay with us: 27 acres of private land surrounded by a sea of National Forest. Not another private property or structure in sight. No regulations or restrictions from land-use permits for dwellings on Forest Service land. We own it! 1,000’ vertical foot drop-off out the front door into beautiful East Willow Canyon and Phoenix Park, with its perennial waterfalls and cliffs Front porch view of the massive La Garita Mountains (13,000’ +) and the least-used wilderness area in Colorado, the La Garita Wilderness, just 5 miles away Hiking, biking, skiing and fishing in the San Juan Mountains, one of the most spectacular, undiscovered, remote areas in Colorado Yet you are just a 15-minute drive (summer/fall) to the historic and eclectic town of Creede with it's funky cool restaurants, unique shops and the amazing Creede Repertory Theatre rated by USA Today as “One of the 10 best places to see the lights off Broadway”. A spectacular 2 mile ski or snowshoe in to access the yurt during the winter. And that is just the property itself. If you have never stayed in a yurt, get ready for a truly unique experience. Our yurts include: Quality cooking utensils; non-stick pots and pans, Cuisinart kitchen knives, new silverware and great new set of non-scratch ladle, spatula, spoons, etc. Lots of games to while away the hours; chess, checkers, cribbage, Yahtzee, Monopoly, Scrabble, Uno, playing cards and more! Indoor/outdoor thermometer, fire starters and a HUGE pile of firewood for the summer and winter. Tongue and groove pine wood flooring Huge cast iron Waterford Irish woodstove. It doesn’t matter how cold it gets, if this baby is roaring, you will be toasty warm. We provide the firewood. NOTE you need to fully understand how to use the woodstove to keep the yurt toasty warm. In the winter we provide very detailed instructions on how to build and maintain a winter fire, but be sure you understand before your stay. Kitchen sink, counters, plates, utensils, glasses, mugs, stovetop coffee percolator, stainless steel french press (It's awesome), pots and pans, everything you need except your sleeping bag, pillow cases, dish towels, food and water. You need to bring all of your own water in summer/fall and melt snow in the winter. Plexiglas dome provides bright open light in the day and star-gazing from the futon at night There is NO PHONE OR INTERNET at the yurt, you are on your own (yay, no technology)! We try to keep the trail to the yurt marked with bright survey tape in the winter that you can see from one tree to the next and nobody has had a problem as long as they ARRIVE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS! It is essential that you arrive during the daylight, so if you need to stay at a local establishment the night before there are plenty of places in South Fork and Creede to stay. Come and check it out for yourself and be our next 5-star guest! Entire yurt and property. PLEASE, YOU MUST ARRIVE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS! High-clearance 4WD with good tires is REQUIRED to access the property! The yurt is not visible from the road, it is secluded and in the trees so arriving while it is still light is important. Folks, the reason this property feels so remote yet is so close to town is that the last mile and a half to the yurt is not regularly maintained. In the last 20+ years the forest service has only graded the road twice to my knowledge. So it can be very rough and conditions can change literally overnight. So do yourself a favor and come and visit in a real 4WD vehicle. Read some of our reviews to see what others have to say about the road conditions to the yurt. There is no cell service or internet at the yurt. We provide detailed directions to the property, and instructions on how to use equipment which you MUST print out and bring with you as there is no way to call once on the property. You will be left alone and have total privacy during your stay. Sorry folks, no pets during winter months. Guests must melt snow for water, so for obvious reasons we can't allow dogs at the yurt. PLEASE don't contact us asking if your dog can come as the answer is the same for everyone including me. I have a dog that I take everywhere but I don't bring her to the yurt in the winter. Dogs are ok in the months when you can drive to the property, just be sure to pick up after your dog around the yurt. Thank you! How about a neighborhood of just you? During the winter chances are close to 100% that you won't see another soul anywhere during your entire stay! Nothing but peaceful, quiet serenity will surround you as you melt away the tensions from the fast-paced world of technology that most of us must embrace every day. NO CELL SERVICE OR INTERNET at the yurt. One of the few places left on the planet where you can truly escape. Embrace it for a few days and be happy. During the summer you may hear an occasional vehicle since there is driving access to the property, but the nearby access road is 4WD so there are typically very few vehicles anywhere nearby. And this is private property so you should not encounter anyone at the yurt itself. Yet you are less than 15 minutes from the town of Creede in case you want to take in a show at the Creede Repertory Theatre or grab a bite at one of Creede's eclectic and tasty restaurants. Summer access: High-clearance 4WD is REQUIRED! It is only a 4-mile drive in the summer to the yurt on county and forest service roads. But the last mile of the Forest Service road is not maintained AT ALL so 4WD with high clearance is required to access the property. Please don't contact us asking if a particular type of vehicle will make it, you need 4 wheel drive with high clearance and good tires. This is a backcountry experience so please don't expect to get there in your low-clearance, 2WD city vehicle! Rent one or borrow one, you will be glad you did. Winter access: 4WD is required. You will drive about 8 miles on a county maintained road. Clearance is not as much of an issue in the winter as the last 1 mile that is roughest you must snowshoe or ski in. Depending upon how far the county plows this road, there is anywhere from a 1-mile to a 4-mile ski or snowshoe from where you park your car (last 5 years county has plowed to within 1.5 miles, check with Mark as to what the current status is). The ski or snowshoe going in is pretty easy with gentle ups and downs on the county road, but the last 1/2 mile is uphill so requires climbing skins for your skis (or herringbone up) if you are skiing and not snowshoeing. You will be required to sign a liability waiver in during winter months. Guests must be experienced with backcountry travel and survival procedures in the winter months when weather can change hourly and can be a serious threat to your safety! All guests staying must sign the waiver before being given access info to the yurt. YOU MUST PLAN TO ARRIVE BEFORE DARK for reasons described above. COVID UPDATE - Since the beginning of the virus spread we now go up in between each group of guests (in months when we can drive to the yurt, not in winter) and disinfect all common surfaces with Barbicide disinfectant. We also provide a clean, disinfected (washed in hot water with bleach), waterproof mattress pad for each group of guests arriving. There are also 4 new pillows with zippered pillow protectors (sanitized between each group) but be sure to bring your own pillow cases to put on top of the protector covers. There are plenty of other pillows at the yurt for extra guests, but we don't sanitize them each time. Many guests bring their own pillows if convenient. Kitchen sponges are also sterilized between guests by microwaving and then washing with bleach in the washing machine. We also mop the floors between each group with Pine Sol. YOU MUST STILL CLEAN THE YURT. There is no cleaning service but also NO cleaning fee. This is a remote experience and guests are asked to leave the space and property as they found it (we make sure it's very clean each time). You will receive details of what to do before leaving in your yurt information email that will be sent out before you arrive. Please remember that the yurt experience is really Glamorous Camping. We do our best to keep things clean but with no running water it is much more difficult to keep clean. We provide several 7-gallon jugs of wash water for all guests. There will be several full jugs on the porch when you arrive but please try to use 7 gallons per day per two people or less if you can. You MUST bring all your own drinking water. The wash water is Creede city water but the jugs often sit in the sun for days and are not safe for drinking. Liability Release Form must be signed by all guests before staying.