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An outdoor lover's dream

Photo gallery for An outdoor lover's dream

Perfect spot for afternoon naps, games, happy hour, or just relaxing by the fire
Light-filled living room with plenty of CO sunshine.
Welcome to the cabin!
Front entrance.
Your first look at the cabin.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Dogs and cats allowed
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue
  • Deck or patio
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
Hesperus, CO
  • Place, Ski Hesperus
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
    ‪32 min drive‬
  • Place, Fort Lewis College
    ‪33 min drive‬
  • Airport, Durango, CO (DRO-La Plata County)
    ‪54 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom "nook" in loft

1 Double Bed

Loft bedroom

2 Queen Beds

Master bedroom

1 King Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Full bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Half bath

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

An outdoor lover's dream

Designed and built by a local, award-winning builder, La Plata Canyon Cabin has been a second home and unforgettable retreat for guests for over five years. From engagements to honeymoons, from family reunions to family memorials, the off-grid cabin has provided a unique backdrop to some of life’s most magical and significant moments. As guests, you and your family/ friends will find yourselves completely surrounded by national forest—even though Durango is a short 25 minute drive away. You'll also find the highly rated Kennebec Café just 5 minutes down the road and the UNESCO-recognized Mesa Verde National Park 40 minutes away. You’ll wake up in the morning to views of 11K foot peaks and hear the river running less than a hundred feet from the cabin. If hiking is on your to-do list, there’s a network of old mining roads and trails that you can access directly out the front door. You can also drive a few miles up the county road to the stunning Kennebec Pass and Colorado Trail, where thru hikers put in their last miles and outfitters from all over the Southwest bring their guests for some epic mountain biking. Make sure you have 4WD for the last section of road! The 1,440 square foot cabin is powered and heated entirely by solar, propane, or wood, giving you the chance to see a modern and sophisticated off-grid system at work. It has two bedrooms (a master bedroom and loft with queen bunk and a full bed in a side nook), a full bath with soaking tub and shower with pebble floor, and a half bath. Guests often describe the kitchen as the highlight of the house, with a Jenn Air stove, quality cookware and dinnerware, and a full spice rack that someone with a true love of cooking will appreciate. Chances are you'll feel right at home with the most ambitious recipe (and without having to lug bags and boxes full of utensils and supplies from home). And if you have a hard time breaking away from the spectacular views, you can fire up the Weber bbq and cook dinner outside on the deck. The entire team that looks after this cabin takes your experience very seriously, and our guest book is full of reviews, drawings, pressed wildflowers, and other thoughtful gestures that are testament to the uniqueness of this place. Our wonderful guests make it easy to keep opening the door to others who want to enjoy this special place. Read more about the cabin on Insta @laplatacanyoncabin.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 1 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
If you have more than one pet, please contact the owner.

Important information

You need to know

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
This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Hesperus

Located in Hesperus, this holiday home is in the mountains and on a river. Ski Hesperus and Chapman Hill Ice Rink and Ski Area are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Historic Tram Park. Durango Arts Center and The Powerhouse are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and sledging.
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Map
Hesperus, CO

What's nearby

  • Ski Hesperus - 15 min drive - 14.7 km
  • San Juan National Forest Supervisor's Office - 30 min drive - 34.7 km
  • Animas River Trail - 31 min drive - 35.1 km
  • Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - 32 min drive - 36.2 km
  • Fort Lewis College - 33 min drive - 36.9 km

Getting around

  • Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad Station - 33 min drive
  • Durango, CO (AMK-Animas Air Park) - 41 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is An outdoor lover's dream pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total).

How much does it cost to stay at An outdoor lover's dream?

As of 7 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at An outdoor lover's dream on 12 June 2025 start from AU$639, 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 An outdoor lover's dream?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at An outdoor lover's dream?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at An outdoor lover's dream?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is An outdoor lover's dream located?

Situated on a river, this holiday home is 8 mi (12.8 km) from Ski Hesperus and within 20 miles (32 km) of Twin Buttes and Historic Tram Park. San Juan National Forest Supervisor's Office and Animas River are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 10 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 10 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Becky B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Reunion

This home is fantastic! The kitchen is well stocked, the beds are very comfortable and the scenery is stunning! It’s located near the river too! The porch has lots of seating.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

cynthia k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely!

Beautiful cabin home, wonderful furnishings, cookware, dishes, bed, linens, decor. Everything first rate. Owner very responsive.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Abbie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best vacation ever!

Another year of much needed R&R! Something magical about the canyon, we enjoyed the porch for hours! We rode our dirt bikes up the pass and it was pure excitement! Shelley is on point and even had an elevated dog dish for our Maximus! Thank you Shelley for having everything stocked and such a beautiful, perfect cabin. Counting the days until we return!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Abbie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just like commercial

This stay reminded me of the VRBO commercial. Me exploring the creek with my sleeping bag poncho, my 130 pound Cane Corso splashing his way upstream. My husband laughing as he pans for gold! Perfect vacation and will return!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Belinda A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfectly Secluded Getaway

This home away from home was just that. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, this charming secluded cabin is the perfect getaway spot in Southern CO. We thoroughly enjoyed our week long stay. Not only is the cabin situated in a beautiful area, the cabin itself more than met our expectations. Extremely clean and well-kept, well stocked with everything you could need, and just simply adorable. It was hard to get out and do things because we enjoyed the cabin so much. Communication with the owner was very smooth and easy. We cannot wait to visit again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best vacation ever

This cabin is truly a luxury off the grid cabin. It really operates seamlessly. The peace and quiet was wonderful. We cooked at the cabin and ate outside on the deck. The weather at that altitude was cool and pleasant. The bed was very comfortable with a wonderful comforter to snuggle under during the chilly mountain nights. It was only a 25 minute drive to Durango. The owner was wonderful and answered all our questions. We can’t wait to return.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kate F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful mountain getaway

This is a wonderful mountain getaway. The property owner is very quick with responses, knowledgeable, and a pleasure with which to communicate. The property is sooo nice - beds are comfy, furniture and furnishings are lovely and high end, the view is gorgeous, the kitchen is well stocked, and the river is close by and can be heard from the house and the deck. The owner has thoughtfully included many amenities such as plenty of blankets and towels, board games, emergency lights, a backup generator, lots of cut wood, a wood stove with glass front, marshmallow roasting sticks, and more. It was an added bonus to be able to bring our dog along too. There was plenty of room to spread out indoors and outside. We are locals and thoroughly enjoyed staying at this cabin and had fun hiking in the Canyon. There is a waterfall not far from the property. We hope to come and stay again soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The “Best” vacation!

Wonderful cabin in the woods, private and serene! The Hostess was very helpful and we had a ball! We recommend this property for a week or longer! Bring slippers!!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kayla R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay with everything we needed

Such a great stay at Shelley's place. She's a wonderful host and the cabin is fantastic. Best stocked kitchen I've ever had in a rental and our kids loved the toys and kids books. Beautiful surrounding area too! Views were top notch
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Beth D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

We had a lovely stay, the weather was perfect. Enjoyed hikes, walks, sitting on the deck relaxing with just the beautiful scenery. The house runs on solar, evenings and mornings cool, the cabin did have propane heater. You want a relaxing getaway, we would highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

About the host

Hosted by Shelley

Host profile image
On sabbatical a few years ago, I spent time in SW Colorado and fell in love with the area. After one of these trips, I decided to look online for real estate listings in Durango and the cabin was one of the first properties I saw. I completely fell in love with it. The cabin and La Plata Canyon are very unique places full of history and stories, and I hope you enjoy spending time there as much as I do.

Why they chose this property

The Canyon is considered a local's secret by many, even though the La Plata Mountains are one of the first things you see flying into Durango airport and driving east from Utah, Arizona, and other Western states. The Canyon is rich with mining history and backcountry adventures, with many mining ruins to explore up in the high-country basins and along the main road. You can hike, bike or trail run directly from the front door by following either old mining roads or single-track trails. Feeling up for an all-day adventure? You'll find plenty of options that take you deep into the backcountry and to the top of the surrounding peaks. In the summer, the canyon explodes with wildflowers and (when we're lucky!) mushrooms. There's a small waterfall less than 1/4 mile up the road and the La Plata River runs less than 100 feet from the cabin, with fishing options available. The closest neighbors (seasonal, second homes) are approximately 1/4 mile away, and the cabin is surrounded by national forest.

What makes this property unique

If we have to brag for a moment, the cabin is a beloved landmark for many visitors and even locals who obviously know their stuff. : )

Languages:

English, French
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