NellieMay Cabin | Short Walk to the Lake, Porch, Grill, Gas Firepit, Dogs OK
Enjoy cool afternoon breezes overlooking Lake Vallecito from the large deck at the Nellie May Cabin. Just a few minutes' walk through the trees and you arrive at the lake side. Nellie May is close to the marina, restaurants, liquor stores, and grocery stores. This charming cottage-style cabin is the perfect spot for your next getaway. The cabin boasts a spacious full kitchen, two bedrooms, a full bath, a cozy living room with a large picture window, propane grill and firepit on the deck, a wood-burning stove, and a loft with a hammock for afternoon naps. Play all day at the lake or on the trails and then relax in a quiet evening on the deck with its gas firepit or in front of the wood-burning stove. Enjoy a night out at the Weminuche Woodfire Grill, which generally has music on the weekends. Lounge in the morning sun as you dig into your freshly made burrito at the La Comida Ranchera Mexican Restaurant. Nellie May offers a memorable Colorado mountain cabin experience. We provide an outdoor dog pen for your furry friend when you're at the cabin.
WHERE YOU'LL SLEEP: * Bedroom #1 - Queen bed * Bedroom #2 - Queen bed
LOCATION: In the heart of the Lake Vallecito recreation area, you are near the marina, hiking, biking and ATV trails, fishing, hunting, ice fishing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling - the San Juan wilderness area is at your doorstep! Vallecito also has a few restaurants and general stores. Appx 25 miles to downtown Durango and 50 miles to Purgatory Ski Resort. The dirt road down to the cabin can be bumpy.
PETS: This home is pet friendly! We allow a maximum of 2 dogs max and the pet fee is $40/day (for a max $250 per stay). Pets must be crated if they are left home alone. We do have a fenced outdoor pen area for your dog to play while you are outside with them.
COOLING: Please note that, like most properties in the area, this home does not have AC, as it is uncommon for homes at this elevation. Temperatures inside the property are easily managed by using fans and opening the windows at night when temperatures drop into the 40s.
GOOD TO KNOW: This cabin does not have a washer/dryer or a dishwasher.
Stay with us and we offer DISCOUNTS on both summer (white water rafting, horseback riding etc.) and winter (ski/snowboard rentals, sleigh rides, snowmobile tours etc.) activities.
ABOUT YOUR HOST: At Vacation Rental Collective (VRC), we’re a professional management company that takes pride in delivering a consistent, high-quality experience across all of our homes. The Vacation Rental Collective difference means you can always expect locally owned and operated service with a personal touch and insider knowledge of the area. We offer 24/7 guest communication and lightning-fast response times whenever you need assistance. Each property is professionally cleaned and meticulously maintained to ensure comfort and peace of mind, and every home is inspected before arrival to make sure every detail is guest-ready.
VRC CANCELLATION POLICY: At Vacation Rental Collective, we understand the importance of flexibility for travelers when it comes to cancellations. When booking directly with Vacation Rental Collective, we offer a Moderate Cancellation Policy for this Property: A guest will receive a 100% refund if canceled/changed at least 30 days before check-in; a 50% refund if canceled/changed 14-30 days before check-in; and no refund if canceled/changed 13 days or less before check-in. If you booked on a third-party site (VRBO, Airbnb, etc), your cancellation is subject to their policy. We do offer travel insurance.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Mountain view
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On Vallecito Lake in beautiful San Juan County at 7700 ft altidude
Bayfield
On Vallecito Lake in beautiful San Juan County at 7700 ft altidude
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the area
Bayfield
Located in Bayfield, this cabin is in a rural area and in the mountains. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Animas Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Eagle Park and James Ranch. Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum and Ute Park are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with waterskiing and water tubing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and mountain biking.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - 36 min drive - 43.6 km
Mercy Regional Medical Center - 36 min drive - 52.8 km
Getting around
Durango, CO (DRO-La Plata County) - 47 min drive
Restaurants
Weminuche Woodfire Grill - 9 min drive
The Lake House Bar & Grill - 7 min drive
The Rusty Shovel Saloon - 9 min drive
Buffalo Gap Vittles and Fire Water - 7 min drive
Bayfield County Market - 9 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is NellieMay Cabin | Short Walk to the Lake, Porch, Grill, Gas Firepit, Dogs OK pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).
How much does it cost to stay at NellieMay Cabin | Short Walk to the Lake, Porch, Grill, Gas Firepit, Dogs OK?
As of 2 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at NellieMay Cabin | Short Walk to the Lake, Porch, Grill, Gas Firepit, Dogs OK on 23 May, 2026 start from S$203, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at NellieMay Cabin | Short Walk to the Lake, Porch, Grill, Gas Firepit, Dogs OK?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at NellieMay Cabin | Short Walk to the Lake, Porch, Grill, Gas Firepit, Dogs OK?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at NellieMay Cabin | Short Walk to the Lake, Porch, Grill, Gas Firepit, Dogs OK?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is NellieMay Cabin | Short Walk to the Lake, Porch, Grill, Gas Firepit, Dogs OK located?
Situated in the mountains, this cabin is steps from Vallecito Lake and 1.4 mi (2.2 km) from Los Pinos River. Lake SImpatico Trailhead and Lemon Reservoir are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Reviews
8.8
Excellent
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Charming and amazing views! We loved the detached poorch. Parking is on the hill and a little tricky so just know that in advance.
Nikki B.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Aug, 2025
Thank you for your review! We're so happy you enjoyed the charm of the home and those amazing views. The detached porch is a favorite feature for many, and we’re glad you loved it too. Thanks for noting the parking situation—that’s helpful for future guests. We’d love to welcome you back!
The Nellie May Cabin is all that we had hoped for - simple but thoughtfully arranged. Everything was there for out comfort - good mattresses, impecably clean, complete kitchen. We loved sitting out on the deck looking at the trees, the wildlife and the lake beyond. Also great communication..
Laura F.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Aug, 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear the Nellie May Cabin was everything you hoped for and that you enjoyed the comfort, cleanliness, and peaceful deck views. It’s wonderful to know the kitchen and communication added to your stay as well. We’d love to welcome you back to enjoy it all again!
My family and I definitely enjoyed our stay in this cabin. Very relaxing and a nice break from our normal day to day.
Brent S.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug, 2024
Thank you for your feedback! We’re so glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed your stay and found it relaxing. It’s great to know the cabin provided a nice break from your usual routine. We hope to host you again for another refreshing getaway!
Great location for us. Enjoyed walking down to the lake in the mornings. Clean. Great patio.
John S.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
30 Jun, 2025
A home away from home.
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
The vacation rental was amazing, everything was clean and things were provided upon arrival. The instructions were not hard to follow if u pay attention to the road lol. Overall great experience will come again.
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Jul, 2025
Thank you for the great review! We're so glad to hear you had an amazing stay and found everything clean and well-prepared for your arrival. We love that you found the directions easy to follow—just got to keep an eye on the road!
We’d be happy to welcome you back anytime. Looking forward to your next visit!
From a partner site
8/10 Good
kevin h.
1 Sept, 2023
Great little cabin in the woods.
Rating Details:
The vacation rental was very clean.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Great place only issue we had is my girlfriend is allergic to cats and they must of rented it to someone else with cats.
kevin h.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Sept, 2023
Thank you for taking time to leave us a review! We are sorry to hear that your girlfriend is allergic to cats, and that she had a few issues with it. The property is pet friendly, so a previous guest very well could have brought a cat with them. So we are so sorry about that. We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay here with Vacation Rental Collective! We hope to see you back again in the near future!
Verified
6/10 Okay
Kelsie B.
8 Aug, 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication
Small Family
The cabin was great. Only down side was the bathtub did not hold water and had two holes in the shower wall. Definitely need four wheel drive to get out even on a dry day. Overall great stay.
Kelsie B.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Aug, 2023
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay at this cute cabin! The owners are actually planning to improve the shower/tub combo during the winter shutdown this year, so those issues will be resolved the next time you visit!
Adorable cabin in the woods! Close to the lake. The porch was great! Do not plan on having extra parking or having room to park a boat or trailer. We had to contact a different property owner in the subdivision and ask if we could pay to park our trailer there.
Lauren B.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jul, 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! We're so glad you enjoyed the cabin, the peaceful wooded setting, and the porch — it’s a favorite spot for many of our guests. We appreciate you mentioning the parking limitations, and we're sorry for any inconvenience. We'll work on making this clearer for future guests. Thank you again for staying with us!
Thanks William! We look forward to hosting you again :)
From a partner site
8/10 Good
Robert W.
11 Aug, 2025
Great place for a get away
Rating Details:
The property manager was more than helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
The cabin was delightful and well kept. It had great views and easy access to the lake and surrounding areas. The Weminuche Woodfire Grill was great for dine in and take out. We had pizza at the cabin our first night just to make life easy. Not far from Durango but much quieter than the tourist noise of Durango.The beds could use an update.
Robert W.
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Aug, 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the cabin, the beautiful views, and the peaceful location near the lake. It’s great to hear you found some local dining favorites and enjoyed a relaxing first night with pizza at the cabin. We appreciate your feedback about the beds and will keep it in mind for future updates. We’d love to welcome you back anytime!
This place was great for our needs. The kids loved the exploring the cabin and the area around the lake. The road in and out was a bit rough but we managed. The lake was high so the beaches were underwater. It was certainly rustic so not as clean as a hotel but not an issue. We would come back for sure.
Anne B.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug, 2024
Thank you for your review! We’re thrilled to hear that the cabin was great for your needs and that the kids enjoyed exploring the area around the lake. We appreciate your understanding regarding the rough road and the rustic nature of the cabin. It’s good to know that these aspects didn’t detract from your overall experience. We’d love to welcome you back in the future!
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Amy S.
14 Aug, 2024
Just what the Dr ordered
Rating Details:
The property manager was very helpful.
The vacation rental was spotless.
I was very happy with the location.
I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental.
Overall, I recommend this vacation rental.
Reviewer Comments:
Stayed 3 nights with friends. It was exactly as described and unbelievably relaxing. Management was great to deal with and communication was quick and easy. Can't wait to visit again
Amy S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Aug, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We are so glad to hear you enjoyed your stay with Vacation Rental Collective. :) Glad you enjoyed the property's great location. We hope you come stay with us again soon! -Erika
We visited week after Labor Day and felt like we had the whole neighborhood and lake to ourselves. Quiet. Beautiful night skies. Hiked to beginning of wilderness area...stunning views. The services of cafe and store were excellent.
Heads up, drive down to cabin is steep. Recommend SUV and AWD.
We would stay again.
Cole P.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Sept, 2023
Thank you for taking time to leave us a review! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay here with Vacation Rental Collective! We hope to see you back again in the near future!
Verified
8/10 Good
kevin
22 Aug, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Cabin was great. Little small. Netflix did not work
Great location- hard to see the lake, but it is walking distance. The fenced in area is small and doesn’t encompass the porch - since we had a dog this made it hard to use. Other cabins are close so you hear them- not a complaint- just something to be aware of if you are looking for quite.
Road is very rough- not for a non- 4x4 or all wheel drive vehicle.
Really good kitchen and beds were super comfortable. Best sleep I have had in years!
Colleen M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Aug, 2022
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Your feedback is important for us and future guests :) We're so glad you had a great stay and that you enjoyed the area. That's fantastic you had the best sleep you've had in years! Thank you again for taking the time to leave this review. It was such a pleasure to host you and we hope you come stay with us again soon!
This cabin is rustic and would be cramped with more than a couple adults. The kitchen has been updated, which makes it nice. The upstairs loft is fun for kids (older kids who know how to use the ladder). The cabin is in a lake community of tight, small lots with other houses very close by. If you're looking for privacy and quiet, this may not be the cabin for you. (We were there over July 4th, which we know played into this!) All in all, a comfortable stay. The cabin had everything we needed, including lake towels. We enjoyed our stay!
Liz D.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Aug, 2023
Thanks so much for staying with us! We are glad you enjoyed the Vallecito Lake area and hope to see you again!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Shelby G.
22 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy
Great experience
The property was clean and located in the most wonderful area. Reaching the cabin wasn't difficult and most of what you needed was provided. We appreciated that the owners had an instruction manual and pamphlets on activities in the area. You are just a short downhill hike from the beautiful vallecito lake and we enjoyed boating and fishing. We understood the owners wanting to keep the authentic cabin feel but during the day the cabin did get a bit warm from not having any air conditioning, it cooled off the later into the night it got and early mornings were nice, but if you have a small portable fan that helps. Overall the stay was enjoyable, and extremely peaceful.
Shelby G.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug, 2022
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. We are so glad to hear you had a great stay and that you enjoyed the Vallecito area! Please always call us if you find you need a fan to help keep cool. You are right that normally it's cool enough to open windows at night to let the cool air in and close it during the day to keep it comfortable, but we totally understand that sometimes it's extra warm. We have purchased a fan for the cabin after your comment so thank you for letting us know. It was such a pleasure to host you and we hope you come stay with us again soon!
Slide down the gravel road and through the ditch to park with other cabins surrounding. No dishwasher or laundry machines or cable tv (Basic). The back porch is not connected to the cabin, which was very disappointing for us, and not being able to walk down to the lake because the trail is overgrown. But, very clean with a decent view of the mountain and lake through the trees!
Michael H.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Jun, 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're glad to hear that you found the cabin very clean and appreciated the decent view of the mountain and lake through the trees. We understand that some aspects of your stay were less than ideal.
Regarding the access to the cabin, the gravel road and surrounding cabins are part of the rustic charm of our location, but we apologize if this was inconvenient for you. We also recognize that the absence of a dishwasher, laundry machines, and cable TV may not meet everyone's needs, and we describe our accommodations as "basic" to set these expectations.
We apologize for the disappointment with the back porch not being connected to the cabin and the overgrown trail to the lake. We have looked into improving these aspects to enhance our guests' experience.
Thank you for your feedback; it helps us make necessary improvements. We hope you consider staying with us again and give us another opportunity to provide a better experience.
Very clean. Large equipped kitchen and confortable beds. Beware there are step downs to living, bedroom and bath. Low door frames. 6' 3" hubby kept hitting his head. Parking is on a ditched toad at the front door so four wheel drive was used if you come from the lakeside road. Lake is down a nice path and the deck is great. Streaming service is spotty, but yhey have good DVDs. Property managers kept really good communication.
Rene J.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Aug, 2023
Thanks for staying with us and leaving a review! The cabin really is in such a beautiful area. We hope to host you again!
The location was just what we needed for a quiet getaway. The cabin has a fullsize kitchen, soft beds and a good size patio. Kitchen has all of the basics needed. The only downsides are 1) the lake access is more difficult than originally said. It is a narrow path, rocky and has rebar sticking out on the sides. Definitely wear tennis shoes as it is rocky when you get down as well. 2) you are directly in nature and bugs are expected but there are spiders everywhere. Cobwebs are inside and out so if that bothers you it may not be your place. Overall the cabin was a perfect getaway from the city
Brytanee G.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Sept, 2022
We're so happy you had a great getaway. It is certainly a peaceful and quiet cabin in the woods as you described. However, we will be alerting our housekeeping team of the cobwebs inside so that they pay closer attention to keep those cleaned up. Thank you for letting us know. It was such a pleasure to host you for a quiet getaway. We hope you come stay with us again soon!
Driveway was difficult uphill for a rental car. Mouse in the back bedroom…not surprising for the area tho
Valerie M.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Aug, 2023
Thanks for staying with us Valerie! It is sometimes easier to down and around towards the lake when parked at the home, rather than try to go back up the hill - depending on your vehicle. We hope to host you again in the future :)
Overall it was good, I’m 6’1 and kept banging my head getting out of the bathroom. The bathroom had a very strong mildew smell that didn’t go away even keeping the door closed and the window open the whole stay. The bathroom desperately needs a vent.
Aside from that, the cabin has everything one would need. It was quite well appointed. The fans are great for keeping the cabin comfortable in the afternoons and evenings.
Our daughter loved the loft. It was her favorite thing of our 9 day trip around sw Colorado.
Paul S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Verified
6/10 Okay
Verified traveller
15 Jul, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Location
Off the beaten path
Please be aware if you are looking for remote, but close access to Durango this property is quite the drive back and forth to town. Also, a truck is really need to access the cabin. Their road/driveway is all washed out and on a steep incline. Very difficult to maneuver. There is 1 parking spot, not two. Also, there is no A/C or window units.
Beautiful little cabin next to Vallecito Reservoir
Really enjoyed the cabin. Short 5 min walk to the water. 15 min drive to the best spot to paddle board and enjoy gorgeous summer days in the water. The cabin is very cozy for 4 people, but we all like each other, so no issues. Gets a touch warm in early evening, windows and fans help. Could have used one more fan.
Overall, very enjoyable. Sad to have left.
Nathaniel Q.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022
About the host
Hosted by Vacation Rental Collective - The Durango Collection
Languages:
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