Heron Lake Paradise-Panoramic Views of the Brazos

• View of the Brazos

  View of the Brazos

  • Guest Twosocs
  • Date of stay 02/08/10
  • Review Submitted 02/09/10
  Excellent cabin. For the past 4 years my wife, two dogs and I have stayed from 2 to 3 weeks in this superb cabin in the mountains of New Mexico. Peace and solitude abound with wildlife and gorgeous scenery and color in the fall. All of the amenities are for real plus firewood and hummingbird food. The roads are dirt going up the mountain but easily done even when wet. A caretaker is just around the bend and the owners are but a phone call away. Local food and characters make this one of the best trips for peace and solitude out there. The elk viewing from the deck is great with bugling each fall. If you drive a few short miles north of Chana to the big valley you may see the bear and cubs along with trophy mule deer and elk we filmed this past year. We cannot say enough about this wonderful romantic getaway. The Hughes family share their family hideaway with all of us and we will always be greatful. If it were not so I would not say it. We shall return, I guarantee it. Making all of the arangements was a breeze and the system of getting the keys and returning them was easy. The entire experience has been one of our best ever and absolutely THE BEST for privacy, solitude and peace of mind. Do NOT MISS this opportunity to find a little piece of heaven in New Mexico.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, pet owners, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 14/14

• Gorgeous Location & Gorgeous Views

  Gorgeous Location & Gorgeous Views

  • Guest Regis
  • Date of stay 07/29/12
  • Review Submitted 08/10/12
  This cabin really is close to perfect for a nice getaway. You'll for sure be spending most of your time out on the deck that hovers out over a gorgeous view of the valley and Brazos mountains. Unfortunately, you will not be able to get adequate fresh mountain air circulated throughout the cabin until the owner fixes the broken and missing screens (unless you don't mind letting in a lot of bugs). Also, if you're a cooking enthusiast, I would recommend bringing your own sharp chef's knife : ) Bonus: Our three year old was ecstatic to find the cabin stocked with stuffed animals/dolls, kids movies, and kids games. We really were happy with the experience overall and do recommend it to others.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, families with young children, adventure seekers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Heron Lake Home

  Heron Lake Home

  • Guest Happy Camper
  • Date of stay 07/11/12
  • Review Submitted 07/19/12
  Options for lodging this close to Heron Lake are almost non-existent so it was wonderful to find a home in this area to rent. The wrap-around deck offers spectacular views of the Brazos and wildlife can be viewed from your seat right on the deck! I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again but should mention the house could use a little TLC...some items and furnishings are 'dated' and because the home doesn't have air conditioning it would be nice if the owner can replace the missing screens in sliding glass doors and windows where screens are missing. The home is well stocked with just about anything you need; sheets, towels, kitchen items. But renters should know that it's the owner's policy to only give out one set of keys to the locked gates and the home so if your traveling with a group this could be a probelm as you can't split up to do different activities. A final note...you will need to haul your trash off the property as there is no garbage service available.

  Recommended for: Families with young children, pet owners, adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

  Owner response: We recently had the 2 main sliding glass doors replaced to the tune of $4,100. I have notified the contractor that screen sliders are not working. I am sorry you had such a poor experience at the house. All notifications are up front regarding, trash, keys, etc.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• carsen56@msn.com

  carsen56@msn.com

  • Guest Chuck
  • Date of stay 07/01/12
  • Review Submitted 07/10/12
  Our stay was very relaxing in the northern mountains of New Mexico near Chama. The house was very comfortable and the views of the Brazos and surrounding mountains were outstanding from the covered porch. The home was clean upon arrival, but it needs some TLC in maintenance. Still was a very enjoyable stay and a must to ride the narrow gauge railroad out of Chama. The home was fully stocked with bedding and towels plus the home had many beautiful paintings by the owner.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, pet owners, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

  Owner response: Thank you for the great review

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Peaceful get away

  Peaceful get away

  • Guest Jane B.
  • Date of stay 06/05/12
  • Review Submitted 06/12/12
  This is a great location with fantastic views. The Brazos cliffs are a never ending display of beauty in different lights.( Too bad they are privately owned as we tried to drive close to them but could not get right up to the base.) The quiet at the house is profound. We heard nothing but wind through the trees, birds, and coyotes. The wrap around deck access from all downstairs rooms lets you be in nature so easily. Upstairs shower view to mountains a special treat. We cooked all our meals with ease...good equipment, everything you need. Do bring drinking water as the tap water has a sulfur smell. Beds are comfortable.

  Owner response: I am very happy I can share my home in the mountains of northern New Mexico. I would love to get down there but we are booked fairly solid until August. Once again thank you for the kind words and we look forward to you being back there again.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Secluded cabin in the woods with views, bugling elk, & wildlife

  Secluded cabin in the woods with views, bugling elk, & wildlife

  • Guest Pat & Rusty
  • Date of stay 09/25/11
  • Review Submitted 11/27/11
  We rented this cabin for a week in late September 2011. It was perfect in terms of provisions, cleanliness, and location. It’s a bit of a drive from the main road but well worth it for the quiet and solitude of the cabin—plus we almost always spotted multiple deer while en route to the cabin. The location was a perfect combination of solitude with access to great fly fishing on both the Chama and Brazos Rivers; hiking at Lake Heron, El Vado State Park, and the incredible Rim Vista trail; and day trips to Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, and the Christ in the Desert Monastery to the south and Chama to the North. Also don’t miss the Three Ravens coffee shop in Tierra Amarilla (for coffee, breakfast or lunch) and a visit to Tierra Wools in nearby Los Ojos. It was especially nice to prepare meals while looking out at the wooded hillside below the cabin. We heard elks bugling every morning while drinking our coffee on the deck, and saw deer, wild turkey, and other wildlife every day of our stay. We hope to return to this lovely spot in northern New Mexico. Arrangements were easy to make and the owner was very helpful answering questions and providing directions.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Absolutely Outstanding

  Absolutely Outstanding

  • Guest Brian
  • Date of stay 07/10/10
  • Review Submitted 02/01/11
  We rented this house in the summer of 2010 and we just had the best time. My wife and I, our two young daughters, ages 6-8, my wife's parents and our two big dogs were very comfortable here. There is a wraparound deck that is just gorgeous to sit out on and admire the views, and they are beautiful. We sat out on the deck at night and could see every star. The Milky Way was so bright that at first I thought it was a cloud backlit by the moon. There is everything you need here. The hikes in any direction are terrific and the drive to the lake isn't that long (just bumpy). We rented a pontoon for half-day on Lake Heron, which we highly recommend. Do yourself a favor and fill the hummingbird feeders. It is a sight to see - and hear. Our daughters still ask us when we are going back. This is a beautiful and relaxing getaway for one and all.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

  Owner response: We loved having you and your entire family stay at the house. It is such a pleasure knowing that you enjoy it as much as we do. A close friend of mine had their iPad with them when they were down there and there is an app I think it is called skywalker. You point your iPad at the heavens and it tells you what constellation you are looking at and what will be coming up on the horizon. Amazing. Thank you so much for the review!!! Warmest Regards, Michael

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

• Wonderful Cabin!!!

  Wonderful Cabin!!!

  • Guest Clarkfamily94
  • Date of stay 07/26/10
  • Review Submitted 01/25/11
  We stayed at this property in the summer and it was awesome! Great for kids...they absolutely loved it. The cabin is secluded....which was great to "unplug" and get away from the daily grind! Hiking was great, the views were spectacular. Lots and lots of hummingbirds at the feeders! We had everything we needed in the cabin for a great stay!! Hope to go back soon!

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, girls getaway, families with young children, pet owners, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

• Wonderful, peaceful and quiet

  Wonderful, peaceful and quiet

  • Guest MB H.
  • Date of stay 10/02/10
  • Review Submitted 10/10/10
  My husband and I just returned from a week at Vista de Brazos near Chama. It was nice and quiet and the views were amazing, especially the stars at night. We live in Texas on a noisey lake and the peacefulness of this house and area was so relaxing that we plan on visiting again. The house is large and comfortable. The rental price is extremely reasonable compared to small motel rooms. We also enjoyed the wildlife - the elk bugling and the bobcat screams early in the morning, and the beautiful birds, ground squirrels and the large flock of turkey.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+.

  Owner response: MB Thank you so much for the kind words. We look forward to you, your family or any of your friends visiting again. Warmest Regards, Michael

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

• 10 things you can do while at the Cabin

  Guest comment entered by owner

  10 things you can do while at the Cabin

  • Guest Michael Hughes
  • Date of stay 03/06/10
  • Review Submitted 03/31/10
  1. Take a weaving course in Los Ojos at Tierra Wools. Either 1-888-709-0979 or 505-588-7231 2. Day trip to Taos to the Pueblo 3. Day trip to Santa Fe to visit the Georgia O'Keefe Museum 4. 1/2 day trip to Abiquiu to visit Georgia O'Keefe's Home and Ghost Ranch (and zoo) 5. Swim and fish at Lake Heron 6. Hike around the cabin (about 2 miles) 7. Relax on the deck with an adult beverage 8. Book a trip with the local fishing guide Don Wolfley’s Fishing Guide Service 505-588-9653 9. Watch the Hummingbirds fighting over the food 10. Watch the full moon rise over the Brazos Cliffs.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 13/13

Dec 01, 2009-Apr 30, 2011 .. $133/nt .. $399for 3 nts) .. $799/wk .. $2800/Month
3 Night Minimum.
OPTIONAL: Add $100 for OPTIONAL Total Maid Service upon your departure. Or you can
pay No Total Maid Service and Leave the House the way it was found. One welcome
additional fee for more than one dog
To make a reservation check calendar. Send 50% to reserve date. Send remainder
at least 4 wks in advance of your arrival. I will send keys & directions/map.
Send Deposits to Michael Hughes PO Box 176 Niwot, CO 80544

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.