Private Sage Canyon Cliff House with Stunning Views near Mesa Verde
Stay on the flank of Sleeping Ute Mountain in historic McElmo Canyon just 40 minutes from Mesa Verde and 20 minutes from the town of Cortez. The Cliff House is built right into the red rock cliff wall of a private red rock canyon alcove with comfortable amenities, internet, and sweeping views down canyon. A perfect place to base yourself for your next creative endeavor or for exploring in the wilds of the four corners.
In addition to being built into sandstone rock, the Cliff House is landscaped with native species that bloom all summer. Around the corner from the house, in another rock alcove, is a little lawn. Enjoy comfortable porch seating with a stunning view.
We purposefully do not provide a TV and hope our space is a nature-inspired respite. That said, we also know you might want to get away and retreat to the Cliff House in order to do some work in-between exploring the Southwest. We have fast, broadband wireless internet with Eero WiFi. Stream music to our Apple HomePod with your iPhone or AirPlay-enabled device. We have a network extender for strong Verizon LTE service.
You will have access to our entire cabin home, carport, and a secluded yard inside a beautiful rock alcove on our property. The Ladder Alcove and lawn are a shared space with ourselves, our dog, and guests from our Workshop Loft, but in general it is a very private space.
Head just 10 minutes down canyon to Sand Canyon—public access to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument—for hiking and mountain biking trails. Further down Road G is Hovenweep National Monument where you can view Pueblo ruins precariously built on top of boulders and canyon rims. At the end of the day, stop by our neighbor Sutcliffe Vineyards for year-round local wine tasting.
Nearby - Telluride (2), Cedar Mesa and Monument Valley (1.5-2), the Four Corners Monument (45), Durango (1.25), Shiprock (45), Mesa Verde (40), Cortez (20), Hovenweep (45).
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A few notes to make sure this is the right place for you:
The property is located down a single-lane, dirt road. It is safe for passenger cars, but drive slowly and watch for critters wild and domestic. Part of the road goes through open range and you sometimes have to patiently wait for cows or horses to move aside (particularly in the winter months).
We are located in a desert, rural area. Expect wildlife on the property (insects, geckos, foxes, deer, marmots, bobcats, mountain lions, and other fun critters). While the house is weather-tight, insects can and do get into the cabin. If the presence of insects might cause you undue concern or discomfort, this might not be the spot for you.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us before booking.
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Laura and Grant, the stewards of this property, are writers, painters, designers and nature-enthusiasts. We are endlessly inspired by the beauty and the unique history of this place and want nothing more than to share it with like-minded creatives.
***Are your dates already booked?*** We know the availability of the Cliff House is quite limited right now. If you message us and let us know when you are looking to book we will do our best to get back to you pending a cancellation. However, we do not maintain an official waitlist—keep checking the calendar, it’s always up-to-date.
We also have another rental on our property. It is a brand new build—a loft space converted from an old barn workshop. Contact us for the link.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
Frequently asked questions
Is Private Sage Canyon Cliff House with Stunning Views near Mesa Verde pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Private Sage Canyon Cliff House with Stunning Views near Mesa Verde?
As of 31 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Private Sage Canyon Cliff House with Stunning Views near Mesa Verde on 12 Apr 2026 start from AU$506, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Private Sage Canyon Cliff House with Stunning Views near Mesa Verde?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Private Sage Canyon Cliff House with Stunning Views near Mesa Verde?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Private Sage Canyon Cliff House with Stunning Views near Mesa Verde?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Private Sage Canyon Cliff House with Stunning Views near Mesa Verde located?
Situated in a rural location, this cabin is 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and within 12 miles (20 km) of Sutcliffe Vineyards and Hawkins Preserve. Notah Dineh Trading Company and Museum and Cortez Cultural Center are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Cliff House. What a unique place. The drive in was fun and the canyon is beautiful. We experienced climbing up above the house and seeing it from the Mesa. And got some great pictures of the canyon and the tipi. We would definitely stay there again but wish we could share it with friends.
Perfect property for peace and relaxation. No need for phones or TV and surrounded by beautiful views in every direction. A short drive to Mesa Verde National Park for high desert hikes or a very short drive to Canyons of the Ancients. We have already recommended the Cliff House to many of our friends.
The Cliff House is everything it advertises it is and much more! If you want to get back to nature both literally and figuratively then the Cliff House is what you need. This place will give you both the sense of nature and yearning for the wild. The Cliff House was built for you to get away from day to day life, but still offers the capability for you to connect if you need to. The Cliff House is also not too far away from local attractions like Mesa Verde and Four Corners, and modern conveniences like Walmart and common fast food restaurants.
Pros: Great get away for couples, close to tourist sites and restaurants, close to stores in town, has hiking trails on property, really easy to get to, owners are quick to communicate, great view, and so much more! Would 100% stay here again and again.
Cons: Sleeping situation is not for everyone. Loft bed with ship style ladder and a sleeper couch are available as well as room for a blowup mattress or cot below loft area. The loft area may not be ideal if you consider yourself not able to climb a ladder or have to go to the bathroom frequently at night.
The Cliff House was far better than the pictures. Everything about our stay was perfect. The property was beautiful, the kitchen was so well equipped, the bed was comfy, the LIGHT in this house will just blow you away... can't wait to come and stay again.
Very pleasant experience, made especially so by the cliff wall & wood burning stove. The first day was magical, discovering in particular the views & best vantage points. Sunrise with coffee. Sunset with wine & wood burning stove.
My husband and I were looking for a peaceful getaway and we found it! Beautiful location and an amazing little house built into the rock with lots of light. Very unique and well equipped. It made us feel so connected to the surrounding beauty. Pictures just don't do it justice!
We needed a weekend getaway and that is what we got - We LOVED staying here! The place is small, but the views are gigantic! Wow did we love hanging out in the morning with a mug of coffee, fire in the wood stove, and a gorgeous sunrise! Highly recommend and the hosts were very responsive to our questions. We look forward to coming back!
An amazing place to stay in a beautiful setting. We appreciated the thought and detail the went into the design of the Cliff House and the surrounding property. The dark and clear skies are great for star gazing.
We had a wonderful stay. The Cliff House was comfortable, spacious, and full of amenities. The surrounding beauty was breathtaking. We enjoyed every minute!
My fiancé and I came here for our honeymoon and it was by far one of the coolest places we’ve ever stayed! There are so many neat places near by to visit that are all within 2 hour drive! We will definitely be coming back here more often! There is a really cool hiking spot behind the house I really suggest checking those and the tips out. The sutcliffe winery near the property is beautiful with plenty of wine selections! I highly suggest marking this house off of your bucket list!
This home captures the heart of the surrounding canyon's beauty while providing creature comforts and amenities. The nearby hiking is excellent, and the property itself has wonderful access to trails. We loved our stay here and would highly recommend this unique and peaceful retreat.
From start to finish, this experience was superb. The owners are thoughtful, friendly and responsive. The house is an architectural gem, constructed sensitively against the natural canyon wall and opening out onto views of Ute Mountain, McElmo Canyon and the tasteful surrounding garden. Mornings are so beautiful with cool air, raking light, and the arrival of hummingbirds at the porch flowers. Each day evolves differently, and each is worth savoring. Finally, when night falls, stars sparkle overhead and the Milky Way glows as no city dweller ever sees it. The house is spotlessly clean and very well laid out with all the usual amenities. A good base for local explorations, or just sit with coffee, relax, and turn down your motor noise. It's a special place that stands lightly on the land and restores the spirit. Remarkable!
Cort M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019
About the host
Hosted by Laura and Grant
Grant and Laura, a brother and sister team own and steward this beautiful property together. We are both artists and entrepreneurs, grew up in Denver and have enjoyed the pleasure of living in big cities most of our lives. Grant still lives primarily in Los Angeles where he works as a software developer and designer. Laura lives on the property. She works in leadership development and enjoys dance, wilderness play, and watercolor painting.
Follow us on Instagram: @SageCanyonCO
Why they chose this property
Laura had been coming to this land since 2012, sleeping in a tipi on the ledge of a canyon each summer for a program run by a non-profit in Durango (which she serves on the board of directors for). When the property came up for sale, she leapt, knowing this land was close to her heart, and in an area of the world that had captured both Grant and Laura's imaginations since they were children.
What makes this property unique
There is truly nowhere else like this place. The location, the views, the unique architectural features, the archeological remains, the private red rock alcoves, the wildlife, and the property's proximity to innumerable attractions make it something else. We pinch ourselves each day! Those living here in Sage Canyon are also a tight-knit community – we share a garden and a love for each other and for this place. You'll feel it!