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Rare Find! Quiet, Strawbale Home with Epic Mountain Views and Hiking

Vacation home in Crestone with kitchen

Photo gallery for Rare Find! Quiet, Strawbale Home with Epic Mountain Views and Hiking

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
2 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, travel crib
TV, books
Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Nestled in the trees, this 1200 sqft chalet-style home offers panoramic views of the mountains and valley below. Relax in the front sunroom or unwind on miles of walking trails just behind the house. The kitchen features updated stainless steel appliances and custom built concrete countertops, while a large leather sectional sofa invites cozy evenings by TV.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6111 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Rare Find! Quiet, Strawbale Home with Epic Mountain Views and Hiking

Step into this natural light filled, warm, and custom built strawbale home which sits on two acres of land backed by the Spanish Creek greenbelt. Relax and unwind after a day of hiking, recreation, and or visiting nearby spiritual centers. The views, sunrises and sunsets of the mountains and valley below are panoramic and epic! Wander through the various miles of trails in the greenbelt just behind the house.

A short drive from the town of Crestone, spiritual centers, and trailheads, this beautiful chalet style is1200 square feet, with high ceilings, large glass windows and is warm and sunny.

Two bedrooms with (one queen and one king) and a loft with an extra thick full sized futon sofa sleep 6. The full bathroom has a shower & tub. The living room has a large leather sectional sofa & TV. The upstairs loft has the 2nd TV.

Use the front sunroom or back mudroom to store shoes, coats, and extra items.

The home is nestled in the trees with direct access to the Spanish Creek greenbelt and miles of walking trails. Enjoy the peace, quiet, and epic mountain and valley views.

The kitchen has updated stainless steel appliances, including a new dishwasher, convection oven, custom built concrete countertops, and all the extras (ice maker, toaster, microwave, coffee pot, electric kettle, blender, rice maker, crock pot, dishes/flatware, baking items, loads of spices and a few cooking basics like oil and some sauces). Grill located at backdoor entrance.

Additional Notes: there is no garbage disposal. Please bag up your trash.
Due to having one bathroom, we recommend a maximum of 6 occupants, however, if two more join your trip, there is an additional $25/night per person over 6 people. Additional $75/week pet fee for max 3 pets - this fee is not pro-rated. As well, there is another short term rental (separate building, separate entrance) on the property called 'The Birdhouse", however, there's plenty of land and space to comfortably accommodate all guests.

3 parking spaces are available

Tobacco & drug free home. No smoking or vaping inside the home. There's plenty of space outside to enjoy whatever you may partake in.

TRAVELER'S INSURANCE & CANCELLATION POLICY

We know life happens and you'd rather be on vacation than dealing with illness or emergencies. This is why we highly recommended that you purchase trip cancellation/interruption insurance in case of illness/family emergencies/bad weather delays, flight/rental car cancellations, unexpected emergencies, snow/ice, Covid-19 bans/restrictions, etc.

If you live in an area prone to extreme weather: hurricanes, forest fires, etc. and cannot make the trip, please seek reimbursement through your travel insurance.

Please thoroughly read our cancellation policy and understand that we are not able to offer refunds outside of this policy. Your credit card may offer travel insurance and there are many options by doing an internet search.

WARNING: FIRE DANGER
It's no surprise to anyone that the entire west of the United States is extremely dry and Crestone is no exception. Between climate change and an abundance of dry fuels the area is on high alert for wildfire. Crestone is under a stage one fire ban, meaning NO OPEN FIRES. This means we are not able to establish a fire pit for you, but you can enjoy use of the outdoor grill. If you chose to smoke, please do so in the sunroom or back mud room. Please help us keep our area safe.

A NOTE ABOUT STAYING IN AN ECO-FRIENDLY, OWNER BUILT, WILDERNESS HOME
Most people who come to Crestone understand that they are in a very rural situation and staying in an eco-friendly, hand built house is not the same as a hotel or new build in a subdivision. The Carefree house is an owner-built straw bale home using almost exclusively recycled materials and maintained by solar systems. Homes of this nature are always under maintenance, so you may find construction materials, stacks of wood, etc. on the property, as well as unique finish work.

Because of our rural setting, the home is prone to contact with wildlife and rural conditions such as deer, bears, insects, pests, dust and debris.

DIRECTIONS TO THE HOUSE
Please make sure and read the driving directions to the house and DO NOT rely on GPS. Copy/paste our directions. Crestone is very dark at night and people get lost.

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Porch/lanai

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 pets total (up to 50 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In the mountains

Things to do

  • Golf
  • Snow sports gear
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Solar energy
  • Unit size: 1,200 square feet
  • Water-efficient showers

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Rules

Pet fees are not pro-rated. Bag up trash when you leave. No parties.

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
2 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses solar energy
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

About the neighborhood

Map
Crestone, CO

What's nearby

  • Baca Grande Park - 7 min drive - 5.2 km
  • Little Pearl Pocket Park - 10 min drive - 7.8 km
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park - 11 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa - 36 min drive - 56.9 km
  • San Isabel Lake - 37 min drive - 26.9 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Elephant Cloud Tea Shop - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Bob's Place - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Buck’s Pizza - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Earth Spirit Gardens - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Taco Love - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Rare Find! Quiet, Strawbale Home with Epic Mountain Views and Hiking pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Rare Find! Quiet, Strawbale Home with Epic Mountain Views and Hiking?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Rare Find! Quiet, Strawbale Home with Epic Mountain Views and Hiking?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Rare Find! Quiet, Strawbale Home with Epic Mountain Views and Hiking located?

Situated in the mountains, this vacation home is 2.7 mi (4.3 km) from Great Sand Dunes National Park and within 6 mi (10 km) of Baca Grande Park and Little Pearl Pocket Park. San Isabel Lake is 7.7 mi (12.4 km) away.

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Reviews

Rare Find! Quiet, Strawbale Home with Epic Mountain Views and Hiking Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.6

Cleanliness

9.2

Location

10

Eco-friendliness

10

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 33 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 38 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Connie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The home was very clean and check in was a very easy process. The kitchen and bathroom were well supplied with the essentials. We very much enjoyed our stay and we were comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Klaus

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Very unique to sleep in a straw bale house!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
No complaints! We were looking for something out of the norm and with some character, the straw bale house fit the bill.We would have enjoyed having a comfortable area to grill and enjoy the outdoors and the view (such as a deck), other than that we very much enjoyed exploring the area and would return again .
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rebekah H.

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

Trip to the dunex

The property is very unique and lovely.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Trisha L.

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

Nice, quiet getaway

Had a wonderful stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

mary s.

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

Great place!

The house is beautiful and has a fun story behind it too--built of strawbales. It is clean, cozy and comfortable and we had a wonderful couple days there. Host was accommodating, hospitable and very quick in communication, check-in was easy, beds were comfy. The mountain views are stunning. The drive to Great Sand Dunes was longer than expected, but worth the drive. And walking around Crestone on Saturday was so interesting. Be sure to check out the 'Freebox' -- such a fun idea!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leigh V.

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

Great getaway in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

We loved our stay in Crestone and Jason and Angela's house. Very clean and well stocked. Great property with great views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains!!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kaci H.

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

Baca Grande

The host was accommodating and very friendly. The space was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christopher B.

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

Wonderful and clean property!

This was one of my best stays! The house was clean and tidy, but the decor and layout of the house really topped it off! Had no issues with anything. Loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peyton P.

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

Relax and Reset

This property was easy to find, directions were on point. It was clean, stocked spices, appliances and sharp knives! The owner was available and very hospitable.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew H.

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

Peaceful

The property was great, very quiet and peaceful with a wonderful view of the surrounding area! We will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin Q., Denver, CO

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

fantastic house

this house is a gem. lots of wildlife. ~25MB/s Internet is better than can be expected out this far. we had a great week.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

LISA L.

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

Lovely home

Had a nice stay at the Carefree House. Lots of amentities, including extra towels, toilet paper, etc. The house itself was beautiful. Jason and Angela are excellent hosts who made sure all our needs were met. The location is very remote, be sure to stop in Crestone for necessary food items. Overall, we had a very nice time.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

William C.

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

Unique Home in Amazing Location

Home is a cool unique build in a beautiful location. Amazing views of mountains all around, gorgeous sunsets and great stargazing. Just under 1hr to Sand Dunes main park and a brief (4x4 preferred) drive to north part of Sand Dunes. Home was super comfortable and clean, the owner was easy to work with. Be sure to stop ahead of time for groceries, as the trade off with peaceful views is a somewhat remote location (Wi-Fi was sufficient for any connection needs).
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matthew E.

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

Unique, off-the-beaten path home- very clean

We stayed 2 nights to go to The Great Sand Dunes and hike around the area. It’s about an hour drive to the main entrance of Great Sand Dunes. The home was very clean! We were very pleased with the inside, the kitchen was big and shad everything we needed and it had a nice grill as well! The only negative thing we have to say is that the mosquitos in the area are very bad this time of year! They swarmed us right when we got out of the car but the locals said they were even worse the week before so maybe we got lucky!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

lisa g.

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

June 2024 vacation with 2 dogs

The house is very nice, surrounded by high desert. Very peaceful and relaxing. We spent a day at Great Sand Dunes, drive to park entrance is about an hour away. Also, about an hour drive to Salida, great hiking in the area. The mosquitoes are for real in June in Crestone. Recommend bringing bug spray. Our dogs came with us, they did great at the house but needed to use caution when walking the neighborhood because of the cactus.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cathy S.

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

Sand Dunes Adventure

Our family had a lovely time here, the property was nice and well stocked. The air conditioner kept it cool, but the nights were cool, so it was perfect. The inside of the house is beautiful. Highly recommended for a rustic adventure. A couple of tips: Mosquitos are very prevalent, so bring protective clothing, or bug spray if you plan to spend a lot of time around the property, outside. There is a lovely hike in the back of the house, but watch your pets because there are cactus. Make sure to pack your food in, don’t forget snacks!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandra C.

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

Crestone

The trip was great, and the houses a little difficult to find. But once we found it it was great. I just wanted to mention the steps going app to the lock. I had 2 handicapped people with me and those steps are pretty treacherous. You might want to warn them to have them go through the back door. The house is absolutely beautiful.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael G.

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

Cozy Cabin feel

The cabin was clean and had everything we needed. The only issue was how hot it was. We did try keeping the blinds closed during the day and opening the widows upstairs at night, but still never got below 79. I did read other reviews about how hot it was but was hoping it would be cooler in the mountains this time of year. It was not. The cabin is very comfy and the views are incredible. We even had deer out front in the morning. Would be a great place to stay in the fall and winter.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa G.

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

Unique house in an interesting location!

Loved the uniqueness of this house. Crestone is a super interesting and spiritual area of Colorado. It was fun to get to know this area a little better. Loved the views and the stargazing was awesome with a bright moon! Be sure to hike to the ziggurat, take in one of the close by hot springs, and just enjoy the quiet peace of the area. Our only complaint would be that it got a bit hot in the house but we knew there was no AC when we booked the place. The tips of how to open the house up and using the fans/swamp cooler did help. The night air also helps cool the house. We would definitely go back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

6/10 Okay

Jose A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Hot dry sauna!

The outside of the property is underwhelming. At first I thought the place was abandoned. But once you're inside (and walked past the blast furnace of hot air blowing inexplicably from the wall), the inside is nice. However, the inside temperature is 79.8 degrees. Hot! And there's a sign to remind you not to fool with the setting. Two inside air conditioners do little to drop the temperature. I was very uncomfortable until 2 in the morning. On the second night of stay, the temperature was below 74 degrees. A most welcome change. Nice grounds, views, etc. Good beds, and appliances. But the heat!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

2/10 Terrible

Michael R.

Disliked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Murder Alley & Gangs Galore

Great spot if you like worrying about local (armed) gangs breaking in and kidnapping you…oh, and some great history as the neighborhood is referred to as “Murder Alley” by the locals. Felt like I was in the movie the Hills Have Eyes and was going to be kidnapped and possibly eaten the entire stay. We also enjoyed frequent black outs, the inability to use the deck and/or windows (notes politely saying not to use) even though the hosts refuse to let you touch the thermostat and keeps the house at 80 degrees in the summer for their guest (another polite note)…only thing that topped this stay off was the neighbor inviting himself into the house to let us know he was armed and almost shot us when we were driving in late at night (this is how we found out about the gangs terrorizing the town and how the locals hate VRBO owners and their properties). I guess I wouldn’t recommend if I’m being honest. The town doesn’t want guest and the actual property owners don’t really want guests, as it shows in their non-hospitality.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Juan Fernando D.

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

10/10 recommend !

The place was amazing ! Apart from the rental being unique and super comfortable Angela was great she was attentive and responds very quickly to any questions we had . Crestone is a relaxing town with great hiking ! 10/10 recommend staying here at Angela’s home . We will for sure come back and stay there again !
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary ellen T.

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

Peaceful

A peaceful easy setting for my family and I.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lisa H.

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

Great experience

We use VRBO fairly frequently and this experience stands out for the accessible, easy-going and good natured hosts as well as for the comfort of their intentionally hand-crafted, inviting home.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022