Entire home

Family Retreat w/Yard Near Mesa Verde & Durango Train, Fire Pit & River Access

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Dining
Property grounds
4 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, travel cot
Exterior detail
Dining

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathrooms109 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Hesperus, CO
  • Place, Ski Hesperus
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Twin Buttes
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Airport, Durango, CO (DRO-La Plata County)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Hesperus

With a stay at this vacation home in Hesperus, you'll be on the waterfront, within a 15-minute drive of Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Ski Hesperus. .This vacation home is 8.5 mi (13.7 km) from Twin Buttes and 9.6 mi (15.4 km) from Historic Tram Park.

What's nearby

  • Ski Hesperus - 3 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Twin Buttes - 11 min drive - 16.3 km
  • Historic Tram Park - 12 min drive - 17.0 km
  • Animas River Trail - 18 min drive - 22.9 km
  • Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - 19 min drive - 24.0 km

Getting around

  • Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad Station - 15 min drive
  • Durango, CO (AMK-Animas Air Park) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Kennebec Cafe - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Cosmopolitan Durango - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Delightfully Decadent - ‬10 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

Family Retreat w/Yard Near Mesa Verde & Durango Train, Fire Pit & River Access

Camp Demarest
Elevation 6,032 Feet
4 Bedroom/2 Bath
Sleeps 8
1,176 Square Feet

Bedroom 1 - Queen Bed
Bedroom 2 - Full over Queen Bunk
Bedroom 3 - Twin Bunk
Bedroom 4 - King Bed

Welcome to Camp Demarest, your peaceful Colorado retreat in Hesperus—ideally situated between some of the Southwest's most iconic destinations. Perfectly located for adventure, the home sits between Mesa Verde National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient cliff dwellings—and the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, where you can experience one of the most scenic train rides in the country. Whether you're here for history, outdoor exploration, or simply to unwind, this location makes it easy to do it all. This newly remodeled home embraces a unique mid-century theme, with large windows that invite the outdoors in and fill the space with natural light. The property itself is steeped in local history, once homesteaded as a stagecoach stop along the Spanish Trail. Throughout the home, you'll find touches of regional character and storytelling—from nods to western author Louis L'Amour, who once picnicked along the nearby river, to tales of mountain recluses and early Southwest tourism. Step inside and you're welcomed by a bright, open living space designed for comfort and connection. The cozy electric fireplace, smart TV, and a collection of family-friendly board games create the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring. The fully equipped kitchen overlooks the backyard and flows seamlessly into a spacious dining area with seating for eight—perfect for shared meals, game nights, or planning your next adventure. The home comfortably accommodates families and groups with thoughtful sleeping arrangements. A front bedroom features a plush queen bed and easy access to a full bath with a tub/shower combination and in-unit washer and dryer. Toward the back of the home, a series of connected bedrooms provide an ideal setup for kids or groups, including a full-over-queen bunk and a separate twin bunk room. The private master suite offers a peaceful retreat with a king bed, dedicated workspace, walk-in closet, and an en-suite bathroom with a large shower, along with direct access to the backyard. Traveling with little ones is easy, as the home is equipped with a high chair, pack-n-play, children's books, and a variety of toys to keep younger guests comfortable and entertained. Outside, you'll find one of the home's most special features: a spacious backyard designed for both relaxation and play. After a day of exploring, unwind by the river, watch for wildlife, or fire up the grill for a barbecue. Guests can enjoy outdoor dining under the gazebo, gather around the gas fire table, or take advantage of activities like horseshoes, cornhole, frisbee, and badminton/volleyball. There's even a fun scavenger hunt of hidden surprises for guests of all ages, plus an extra fridge/freezer for added convenience. Just a short stroll away, the La Plata River offers a peaceful escape into nature. Spend your days fishing, picnicking, or simply enjoying the sounds of the water flowing through a landscape filled with cottonwood trees, deer, and wild turkeys. In the mornings, sip your coffee on the porch while taking in the quiet beauty of the surroundings; in the evenings, retreat to comfortable beds and enjoy cool, peaceful nights under the stars. The surrounding La Plata Mountains provide endless opportunities for hiking, photography, and exploring the beauty of Southwest Colorado. Whether you're visiting ancient ruins, riding historic railways, or enjoying quiet riverside moments, Camp Demarest offers the perfect balance of adventure, history, comfort, and relaxation. We strive to provide a welcoming, comfortable home base as you experience all that the Southwest has to offer—and we would love to host you. (Please note: river levels may vary depending on season and weather.)

This home is dog friendly. Approved Dogs are allowed with a non-refundable fee per pet based on size/type. Please let us know about your pet(s) when inquiring or making your reservation. Additional restrictions apply including crating, leashing, and other rules for the safety of your pet and the care of our home. Please inquire if needed for more details ahead of booking.

To Purgatory Ski Resort: 50 Minutes/40 Miles
To Downtown Durango: 20 Minutes/13 Miles
To Mesa Verde: 26 Minutes/25.6 Miles

BOOK WITH US AND RECEIVE DISCOUNTS ON RAFTING, ATV/JEEP RENTALS AND TOURS, SKI AND SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT RENTALS, AND MUCH MORE!
Make yourself comfortable in this vacation home, which features a fireplace and a Smart TV. There's a private patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected.
This smoke-free vacation home features games, a playground, and snowboarding nearby. Recreational activities include ecotours nearby, sledding nearby, and rock climbing nearby.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby
  • Snowboarding nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours 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)
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1,176 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 24

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

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

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
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 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

Property is also known as

955273

Family Retreat w/Yard Near Mesa Verde & Durango Train, Fire Pit & River Access Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 40 out of 49 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 49 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 49 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 49 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 49 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lydell B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing and peaceful stay.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026

8/10 Good

Chris M.

Liked: Cleanliness
House is very comfortable and well maintained. The way the rooms are set up makes it a bit difficult with children as there are three rooms all connected and if someone is sleeping, then others can get trapped. Neighbors have a somewhat aggressive dog that made it difficult to let our dog out in the yard (not fully fenced, so neighbor dog came into our yard). The location is covenient and quiet, a great resting spot for all sorts of adventures in the area.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hilda R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great vacation

My husband and I enjoyed everything about our stay in Hesperus. House was Very comfortable with an awesome backyard. Location was perfect, very close to Durango.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca H.

Liked: Cleanliness

A home away from home!

A comfy place to enjoy inside and out! This home had everything we needed and a great place to relax outdoors. Location was perfect for social distancing, yet close enough to all the site seeing. Thank you so much for sharing your home with us!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Alicia M., Albuquerque

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect Family getaway!

This was the perfect getaway for our family! The property had so much to do. We went exploring in the back of the property, played horseshoes, and relaxed on the back porch every night. We were also very close to Durango with a short drive to fishing access and Lake Nighthorse. We would absolutely stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Shay N.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great!

We really enjoyed our stay at Camp Demarest! It was a great place to come relax after long days playing in the mountains!

10/10 Excellent

Sara M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Durango Trip

Nice, comfortable accommodations. We really enjoyed the outdoor space and river behind the house. Would recommend!

10/10 Excellent

Suzonne M.

Liked: Cleanliness

2020 LaPlata Canyon Vacay

We loved our stay at Camp Demerest! The property was amazing!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Mark M.

Liked: Cleanliness

AZTraveler

Lots of antiques and history noted throughout the house. Felt like we went to Grandma’s house for the week. Very comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

brent G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Home away from Home

It was such a score finding this property. I grew up in Durango and could not get over of how comfortable and relaxed not only myself but my family and parents. We had family at Durango West and our family Wedding was at Kennebec Cafe. everything was perfect. Hesperus River is behind the house and at night with windows open , that is what put you to sleep. This location sits on 6 acres???? It was amazing. At night we would turn all lights off and look at the stars and the Milkey Way. We had extended family in town and my brother and I hosted a BBQ for 14 people and had such an amazing time. The owners of this property make everything simple and easy from check in to check out. I requested an extra TV for my parents and it was not an issue. My family would sit up on the back patio and chat for hours. I will without a doubt stay here again. in the end it felt like a home away from home. Brent Giroux
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Beth P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful home with great hospitality

We enjoyed our stay! The home was very clean and had a lot of personal touches! Everything we needed was supplied including towels, shampoo, laundry detergent, and everything we needed in the kitchen. They even provided a keurig with K-cups! The home had a nice layout with 3 bedrooms and a central living area where we spent most of our time. The kitchen had a large table and the TV was amazing with Roku so we could watch the football games and Christmas movies! The owners even had a Christmas Tree set up for us to enjoy! The owners responded quickly if we had questions. The property was gorgeous and we enjoyed exploring the outdoors! I would highly recommend this for any family!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sarah S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Winter Wonderland

We came to the area with the grandparents and our 2 littles to go on the polar express train ride and this worked great for us. When we arrived the lights were on along with the heat and to our surprise a beautiful Christmas tree which the kids loved. The home had pretty much everything we needed and it was great that there were games and a beautiful snowy yard to sled on!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Dave S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place to stay

We used this house for our Elk Hunting trip. Had 5 guys and plenty of room and good kitchen facilities.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Faith J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Excellent for a family with kids.

Clean, comfortable, and cute house. Nice location in between Durango and Mesa Verde. Our kids loved the scavenger hunt and painted rocks they got to keep as a prize. It was nice to have the open space to let them run around. Some minor quibbles are due to the home’s age and probably unfixable (squeaking floors and soft water pressure in the shower) but overall a great place and would stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Marvin A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cozy and Quiet

This was a great place to stay. It was nice and quiet with wonderful sounds of nature. The owners are very friendly and helpful. We loved our stay.

10/10 Excellent

Jana P., Las Cruces

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful property

We enjoyed the house and property. Outdoor space is wonderful and the house was perfect for our trip. The owners are very nice and always available if needed.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Durango Vacation

This is a great home. The property is beautiful. We played lots of frisbee, and even caught a fish. I would recommend this rental to anyone.

10/10 Excellent

Greg G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Quiet place between Durango and Mesa Verde

Nice home located between Mesa Verde and Durango ... our goal was to visit both in the area, and this home was pretty much in the middle. Nice touches for the guests upon arrival, my kids really enjoyed the scavenger hunt and games out back.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tara M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fun Family Space

We really enjoyed our stay here. Only regret was not having more time to utilize all they had to offer outdoors! Plenty of space for our family (2 adults, 4 teenagers) and the kids enjoyed the selection of movies and games after dark. We like staying a little off the beaten path so the location was perfect. Not too far from town so it was a quick drive to spend the day in Durango. Couldn't have been an easier check in/check out which is appreciated when you get in late and leave early. Speaking of which, we were so grateful for the Keurig and assortment of coffee and hot chocolate! We took advantage of the grill and the kitchen had everything we needed for nice dinner at the house. My only complaint (if you could even call it that) is that the road can be a little noisy IF you like to sleep with the windows open which we do. Obviously an easy fix if you just shut the windows! Thanks so much for such a comfortable stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

Nathanael K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice getaway house

Lots of space on this property for the kids to explore! Loved leaving the windows open at night and listening to the river chuckle over the rocks. Pat was great to talk to and very helpful in suggesting things to do in the area. House was very clean and well stocked. Wish we could’ve stayed longer!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

San L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Really great house with lots of outdoor space. Would recommend adding door to bathroom for privacy.

Really enjoyed getting to know Durango again..l oved the consistent sound of the water. Very nice for sleeping.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Shannon D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place for everyone!

We really enjoyed staying here. Very peaceful and a great location to many fun things to do. Kids really liked the outdoor games and the river in the backyard. Having great internet service was also great!

10/10 Excellent

Earl A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Excellent place for a family vacation

Pat and her husband are excellent hosts. The communication was outstanding. They met us as we arrived. Walked us thru the house and gave suggestions of points of interest for the area. The property has a small river and great outdoor space to relax. Great views in the morning with coffee. Thank you.

10/10 Excellent

Maggie L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fantastic property

Clean, well stocked and inviting. Owners very friendly and helpful. Answered all of our questions. Property absolutely beautiful.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Brielle D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place to stay in Hesperus, CO

Our family had an amazing time at this property! Our hosts were so friendly and had great recommendations for places to eat and explore in the area. Great little details on the property too like horseshoes, hammock by the river, even a scavenger hunt for our 6 year old. Highly recommend this property; it's a 15 minute easy drive into downtown Durango and great place to end your night.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019