Consider a stay at Off-Grid Skoolie Retreat and take advantage of a firepit, a garden, and a playground.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
1 bedroom1 bathroom47 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Pet friendly
Outdoor Space
Parking available
Fireplace
Add dates for prices
About this property
Off-Grid Skoolie Retreat
🏔️ 150 acres of private wilderness in the Blaeberry Valley, 20 min from Golden. Iconic renovated yellow school bus nestled in the forest with mountain views — a unique and unforgettable experience for the whole family. Three private waterfalls accessible via a private trail. Thomson Falls and several well-known trails less than 3 km away. Direct vehicle access. Authentic wildlife and the Canadian Rockies as your playground.
The space
The Sleepy Bear Skoolie — a real converted school bus, set deep in old-growth forest, woken by morning light and the sound of the nearby river.
Sleeping for 4 people:
1 Queen bed
1 bunk bed (ideal for kids — narrower for adults)
Equipment:
Outdoor kitchenette with gas stove
Outdoor table and BBQ area
90L water tank for cooking
Solar lighting
Cooler provided (bring your own ice)
Outdoor composting toilet
The private waterfalls steps away also serve as a natural swimming hole.
No WiFi, no cell service, no shower, no curtains — just the forest, the river and the starry sky.
Other things to note
What "off-grid forest skoolie" actually means:
❌ No shower or traditional plumbing
❌ No refrigerator — cooler provided
❌ No WiFi or cell service
❌ No curtains — morning light comes in early
💧 Water limited to 90L tank for cooking only
☀️ Minimal solar lighting
Wildlife & bear safety:
You are staying in active wildlife habitat. The following rules are mandatory:
No food or waste left outside
Scented items stored at all times
Bear spray strongly recommended
⚠️ The Skoolie lives and breathes with the surrounding forest. Small four-legged visitors occasionally make an appearance. If you need a sterile and controlled environment, this is not your place. If you love raw, authentic nature — welcome home.
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
1 total (up to 218 lbs per pet)
Children and extra beds
This property does not allow children
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
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector
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
Property Registration Number PM341175202
About the neighborhood
Golden is home to Off-Grid Skoolie Retreat. Golden Skybridge and Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Burges James Gadsden Provincial Park and Marl Creek Provincial Park. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and skiing, or check out other outdoor activities such as snowmobiling. Visit our Golden travel guide
Blaeberry, BC
What's nearby
Edelweiss Village
26 min drive - 21.7 km
Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge
27 min drive - 23.5 km
Golden Skybridge
29 min drive - 25.5 km
Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Center
7 min drive - 3.7 km
Burges James Gadsden Provincial Park
15 min drive - 7.4 km
Restaurants
Tim Hortons
14 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Off-Grid Skoolie Retreat pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 218 lbs per pet.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Off-Grid Skoolie Retreat?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Off-Grid Skoolie Retreat?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
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Off-Grid Skoolie Retreat Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
If you are looking for a place to stay off the beaten path and want to be close to nature, then the school bus is for you! We wanted a once and a lifetime experience while we explore the Rockies and surrounding areas without having to break the bank, it was a perfect spot that was around a lot of what we were looking to do and see. Sure it got toasty in the bus when it got warm, but that didn’t bother us at all.Any time we had an issue, we reached out to the hosts, and they were very quick with replies even with being in the middle of the woods.I also recommend checking out the Rocky Buffalo ranch that is not too far to see Chester Jr.