INTERESTING COLO. VACATION HOMES YOU CAN RENT
11 quirky, interesting and stunning vacation homes you can rent in Colorado
There are certain trips where you want all the luxuries of a well-known hotel chain. But on other vacations, you may want your lodging to be part of the adventure, another opportunity to experience something new and different while traveling.
Thanks to all the creative people who live in Colorado, we’re blessed with a wide array of quirky, out-ofthe-ordinary and downright stunning vacation rentals to make your journey all the more interesting. For inspiration, here are 11 of our favorites to get you started.
A sheepherder’s wagon near Cortez. Average price: $62 per night
Take a trip back in time when you book a vacation in this quaint replica of a Basque sheepherder’s wagon. Open from May to October, the wagon is set next to a stream on a fiveacre farm, complete with goats, chickens and a garden. After you walk up five steps into the wagon, you’ll find a double bed, a potbellied wood stove, a propane stove, a pullout table and custom cabinets. You’ll also have access to a full guest bathroom inside the main house and get a hearty breakfast each morning. For an extra fee, your friends can camp in tents nearby.
A converted church in Denver. Average price: $1,124 per night
In Denver’s Whittier neighborhood, you can stay in a 100-year-old, mission-style church that’s been converted into a massive vacation rental. With religious scenes depicted in the stained glass windows, this rental has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, a designer kitchen, a lofted lounge and a huge main floor living space. The converted church can sleep up to 26 people, which makes it the perfect “inspirational launchpad for adventures,” according to the owners.
A renovated Trolley Car in Old Colorado City. Average price: $50 per night
This cozy trolley car is making us want to plan a trip to Old Colorado
City ASAP. The owners renovated this historic train car “from roof to rails,” adding a full kitchen, bathroom, queen bed and all the other comforts of home. From here, you can explore historic Old Colorado City or venture out to visit nearby Manitou Springs or other parts of Colorado Springs.
A vineyard barn near Palisade. Average price: $125 per night
From the inside, this vacation rental looks like a pretty standard home with tasteful farmhouse decor and finishes. But step outside and you’ll find yourself immersed in a Palisade vineyard, with four acres of grapevines, fruit trees and a vegetable garden growing under Mt. Garfield. Oh, and the space itself is actually a beautifully renovated barn, not a house. The owners created a vineyard oasis here, with two bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, a two-car garage and a large open kitchen and living area. There are also three friendly sheep on the property to keep you company — not baaaaaad, if you ask me.
An airstream near Bayf ield. Average price: $95 per night
If you’ve ever dreamed of quitting your job, renovating an old Airstream and traveling the country as a nomad, this vacation rental was made for you. You’ll get to spend a little time with Alice, a renovated 1987 Airstream in Bayfield, southeast of Durango. Inside, you’ll find a king bed, a full kitchen, a composting toilet, a shower and a living area. There’s also a deck out front and a fire pit seating area that offers stunning mountain views, making it the perfect place to enjoy complimentary local beer and coffee. The owners even stock all the fixings for s’mores!
Barrett House in Boulder.
Average price: $605 per night
In 1971, Colorado architect Charles Haertling designed a home for artist and weaver Clotilde Barrett in the foothills northwest of Boulder. Now, the stunning angular home is a three-bedroom, three-bathroom vacation rental decorated with funky, mid-century modern decor. The 3,000-square-foot home, which is set on three acres and can accommodate up to six guests, features a private hot tub, a theatre room, a cast-iron fireplace and a balcony.
A treehouse near San Luis. Average price: $95 per night
You may get a bit nostalgic for your childhood when you stay in this adultified treehouse near San Luis, in the far southern part of the state. You’ll feel like you’re camping, as there’s no electricity, no shower, no linens and spotty cell service in this 200-squarefoot, off-the-grid treehouse. To get inside, you’ll have to walk up a slope and climb a 10-foot ladder at 10,000 feet in elevation, so it’s not for the faint of heart (for their safety, young kids aren’t allowed either). It can comfortably accommodate up to four adults who are looking for a little extra adventure in their vacation rental.
A secluded tipi near Canon City. Average price: $97 per night
Leave it all behind and retreat to this custom-painted tipi northwest of Canon City. Set on 40 acres at 9,000 feet in elevation, the 20-foot oval tipi was designed by the same people who created the tipis in “Dances with Wolves,” the 1990 film starring Kevin Costner. Inside, there are two twins and one queen bed topped with soft down comforters and wool blankets. You’ll really be able to disconnect here — there’s no electricity, no internet, no TV and no air conditioning, but plenty of dark skies for stargazing. You’ll shower outside in a private enclosure that’s open to the sky.
A dome house near Crestone. Average price: $94 per night
Colorado is home to several dome-shaped vacation rentals, including this comfy spot near Crestone. With adobe floors and natural plaster walls, this dome is surrounded by alpine trees and high desert plants and animals, including coyotes and deer. The space features a full kitchen, a full bathroom, a queen bed and an airy living and dining area. An upstairs loft is ideal for yoga, meditation or relaxing. If you’re here during the winter, you’ll stay warm thanks to radiant floor heating and a wood stove.
A mountain home near Grand Junction. Average price: $265 per night
This gorgeous mountain home near Grand Junction is truly part of the landscape, with a massive exposed sandstone slab in the family room. Built to incorporate its surroundings, the 5,200square-foot home offers views of Colorado National Monument and the Grand Valley. Each room has its own vibe, with fun wallpapers and rustic decor in the four bedrooms and three bathrooms. This rental can accommodate up to 12 people.