Sleeps | 4 |
Bedrooms | 2 |
Bathrooms | 1 |
Half Baths | 1 |
Space | 1,500 sq ft |
Property type | house |
Minimum Stay | 2 nights |
'Breathtaking,' 'Fabulous,' 'Stellar,' 'Magical' - Casa del Rio, a unique southwestern home awaits those who seek a glimpse into what the West was like – before it was “won.”
Completed in April of 2014, Casa del Rio offers timeless views of the Rio Chama, Abiquiu Lake, Ghost Ranch - with no other habitation to confound the imagination. The house rests on a mesa about 100 feet above the narrowest part of the Rio Chama, just before it empties into Abiquiu Lake. Unique to this area, a private path winds its way directly to the water. Four circles of stones (tipi rings) found on the land are silent proof that these vistas have been enjoyed by people for hundreds of years.
Inside the 1500 square foot house you will find all the luxuries and amenities of the 21st century. An open floor plan includes great room, dining area and kitchen; all under hand-hewn vigas harvested from the San Juan forest. Leather couches, swivel chair, Taos-made furniture - all make it a pleasure to take in the ever changing landscape in any direction. (Be sure to catch the dawn when the morning light descends upon the water). Hand painted retablo and santos, Navaho and Zapotec rugs, prints by RC Gorman, and Georgia O'Keefe all enhance the experience of being immersed in the southwest.
The kitchen features granite countertops, energy saving appliances, and an island with cooktop. A 42” LED satellite TV, WiFi, and sound bar provide connection to the modern world. (for those who must) Soft foam, queen size mattresses, resort quality bedding ensure your night’s rest – so you can be prepared for your next day’s adventure...
Located in the heart of the Piedra Lumbre (Valley of the Shining Stones) Casa del Rio was designed for outdoor living. Covered portales on the east, north and west sides provide shade from the ever bright New Mexico sun. The concave shape of the house provides shelter from wind and wraps around an additional 800 square feet of a Colorado red flagstone courtyard. On the courtyard, or under the portal, you will find; a moveable chiminea (fireplace), a four burner gas grill, two lounge chairs, a love seat, and table and dining chairs for four.
To complete your Abiquiu experience there is an outdoor hot tub positioned for panoramic river and mountain views. For those who prefer, there is also a two-person, heart shaped bath. Full moon nights are are so bright you can see colors on the walls of the river canyon. On moonless nights the stars seem so close you could almost reach up and touch them...
The waters of Abiquiu provides an important resting place for migratory birds; a virtual oasis in a land of desert and mountains. Eagles, osprey, geese, and many other species take time to have their needs met on their way to other destinations. Perhaps this description may one day apply to you!
This VRBO partner has demonstrated and is committed to fast response times, the best rates, and a great guest experience.
I have lived in northern New Mexico for 12 years. I'm happy to share my experiences and to recommend places to go and things to do. I have kept a booklet at the house that lists 10 different trails to enjoy.
A 15 minute drive from the highway, Casa Rio is situated at 'the end of the trail' leading to Abiquiu lake. When you look to the East, North, or West there is no sign of human habitation to distract the eye. The landscape has remained this way for millions of years.
Hollywood crews have been coming to this area for decades to shoot films requiring vivid scenery typical of the wild west. Some movies made in the area include: the Lone Ranger, Brothers, Silverado, Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, No Country for Old Men, The Missing, Wyatt Earp, 3:10 to Yuma, Red Dawn, the Last Outlaw, and City Slickers.
It offers sensational, undisturbed views of the lake, river canyon, and mountains.
This is the only lakefront property with a private trail to Abiquiu Lake, opening up a whole new world to be discovered.
This is also a great 'base camp' for exploring more of northern New Mexico.
An ideal location for nature lovers, anglers, paddlers, astronomers, archaeologists, paleontologists, botanists, geologists, historians, birders, artists, writers, musicians, hikers - of all skill sets. This is an amazing place for anyone with a sense of wonder!
Loved the spectacular views and peaceful location. Looking forward to returning in the fall.
We enjoyed a weekend stay for our Anniversary. The home has incredible views and is extremely comfortable. The Living Room furniture is super lazy comfy and the beds were perfect. We mostly enjoyed the Hot Tub with never ending and ever changing lighting views.
We visited Lake Abiquiu a few years ago and fell in love with the area. This house made us love this area more than we thought possible. Privacy, views, access to the lake and walking trails, and all the amenities you would want or need. Wake up and enjoy the view, as sunrise offers beautiful shadows and colors off the mountains. During the day walk around the trails, visit the tipi rings, skip stones on the lake. Grill out an awesome dinner on the patio as the sun sets behind you. At night, jump in the hot tub and look up at the stars. With no city light pollution, the stars look brighter and bigger than you've ever seen. We didn't want to leave and will definitely be coming back again soon. It was the perfect place to get away from it all, where we could rest, relax, and recharge. Thank you Gordon for being a wonderful and responsive host!
Extremely peaceful, quiet, comfortable and efficient home. Wonderful view of the lake and rock formations of Ghost Ranch. Gordon left very helpful descriptions and directions of local trails.
The week spent at Case Rio was fabulous. We loved the fact that the home was five miles from the main road. Driving to get to the house on the dirt roads with cows all around was great fun. (However it was nice not having cows near the house). The house design features so many windows that you see gorgeous environment in every direction...water (Abiquiu Lake) red bluffs the sandy desert, and the sky. The sky is ever changing: clouds, brilliantly clear, sunrise, sunset and at night filled with the brightest stars. Looking north the only lights your see at night (aside from the stars and the moon) are from Georgia O'Keefe's Ghost Ranch miles away. We loved spending Christmas 2017 at Casa Rio, I highly recommend this home to anyone looking for quiet solitude, scenic beauty and a comfortable and clean home.
Gordon, you are probably going to be in trouble with New Mexico Tourism Board for having a place so nice for people to stay, they won't want to go anywhere else! I had scads of day trips and side trips planned, but...we enjoyed your house so much we kept changing or putting off plans to be elsewhere. We are very frequent visitors to the Taos and Northern New Mexico area for many years and have fallen in love with the Abiquiu area. We have stayed at many places in the Red River, Taos, Arroyo Seco, Rancho de Taos areas...from B&Bs and inns to houses. Yours is the nicest, most peaceful and relaxing of all we have ever been exposed to. Once we got the directions down to and from the house...we were good to go (or stay)! The only problem we had was (as we discovered on our first full day)...our Toyota Rav4 couldn't make it up the hill from your house to about where the people behind you are located. We solved the problem by backing up to their driveway, turning and then heading on out. After a few times it became rote. We enjoyed the outdoor fireplace so much at night. The hot tub was marvelous, the beds so comfortable...the views unreal! Our little chihuahua, Sally, had the best time chasing (futilely) for rabbits, birds, prairie dogs and anything else that moved or flew. Unfortunately we lost her brother to heart problems before we came. He would have loved it! We ate most of our meals at the Abiquiu Inn...wonderful food (especially breakfast)! The service was exceptional and the Thanksgiving buffet was a marvel in itself!!! We picked up some burgers and groceries from Bodes (good food, questionable service) and picked up necessities from the nearby Family Dollar. We really tried to go to Santa Fe and Taos but just couldn't tear ourselves away from the house. That just means we came back from vacation more rested and a little richer from not spending money on stuff we didn't really need (but wanted...I'm a shop-a-holic on vacation).
We did manage to visit Plaza Blanca which is a breathtaking site and easy hike. Highly recommended! The Art Cave @ Origins (Rancho de San Juan) not recommended at all...totally not worth the 89.00 fee!!!! Feel free to ask me about the cave and the people operating there!
Last year we explored the Ghost Ranch and that is what brought us back to this area. Inspiration for O'Keefe's paintings is everywhere you turn. I have several of her prints that help keep my memories of this area alive until I can travel back again!
Rafting on the Chama, Georgia O'Keefe studio tour, Plaza Blanca, Ghost Ranch conference center and museums (and horseback riding), Christ in the desert monastary, Abiquiu music festivals and studio tour, Abiquiu dam visitor center, Pueblo ruins and petroglyphs, Ojo Calliente mineral spa, Healing with Horses (empowerment training), Echo ampitheater, Toltec-Cumbres scenic railroad, Mount Pedernal, the continental divide trail, the Valle Caldera, the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests: Unlimited places to explore
Cleaning Fee | $95 |
Damage Deposit | $200 |