Walk across the street to award-winning Sutcliffe Vineyards—supplier to Amangiri Resort and Telluride Ski Resort! This cozy canyon casita sits on 3.9 private acres with a private gate opening directly into your 500,000-acre backyard: Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
Welcome to the Guest House at Sand Canyon Oasis—your desert basecamp in breathtaking McElmo Canyon. Perfect for couples seeking a wine-country escape, small families exploring Mesa Verde, or hikers who want ancient canyon trails right outside the door.
YOUR 500,000-ACRE BACKYARD: Through the private gate at the back of the property is your direct, personal access to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument—176,000 acres featuring the highest density of archaeological sites in the United States. Thousands of ancient Puebloan dwellings, kivas, and cliff structures are scattered across the surrounding red rock mesas. Connect directly to the Sand Canyon Trail system without driving or parking—step from the porch directly into your adventure.
THE LIVING SPACE & AMENITIES: • Primary Bedroom: Comfortable King bed with luxury linens. • Sleeping Loft: Cozy Queen bed in an open-air semi-private loft (ladder access—great for kids, teens, or adventurous adults). • Living & Dining: Inviting open-plan seating with high-speed SpaceX Starlink Wi-Fi for remote work or HD streaming. • Kitchen: Fully equipped with cooktop, oven, refrigerator, microwave, coffee station, cookware, and essentials. • Outdoor Patio: Your private patio for morning coffee and sunset wine with unobstructed red rock canyon views. • Climate: Efficient heating and cooling for comfort in all seasons.
THE LOCATION & EXPERIENCES: • Sutcliffe Vineyards: Walk across Road G for award-winning tastings—this celebrated family winery supplies luxury resorts like Amangiri and Telluride. • Dark-Sky Stargazing: McElmo Canyon is renowned for some of the darkest skies in North America. See the full Milky Way and shooting stars in breathtaking detail from your patio. • Canyons of the Ancients & Sand Canyon Trail: Private gate access right on the property. • Canyon Trails Ranch: Just 3 minutes down the road for guided canyon horseback riding (since 1980). • Mesa Verde National Park: 20-minute drive to ranger-led tours of Cliff Palace and Balcony House. • Hovenweep National Monument: 37-minute drive for uncrowded, self-guided ancient tower ruins. • Phil's World Mountain Biking: 20 minutes to 60 miles of world-class desert singletrack.
EFFORTLESS ZERO-CHORE CHECKOUT: Your vacation should be relaxing from start to finish. When you check out, simply pack your personal bags and enjoy that last cup of coffee on the porch. No need to strip beds, start laundry, run the dishwasher, or take out trash—our cleaning team handles everything!
HOUSE RULES & DETAILS: • Check-in: Contactless self check-in via smart lock code after 4:00 PM. • Check-out: 10:00 AM. • Pets: Well-behaved dogs welcome ($50 pet fee per stay). • Water: Deep private well with multi-stage filtration. Brita pitcher and fresh bottled water provided. • Property Layout: The detached Main House on the 3.9-acre property may be occupied by other travelers; each home has its own private entrance, dedicated parking, and separate outdoor living areas.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Charming bungalow in the heart of Southwest Colorado
Cortez
Charming bungalow in the heart of Southwest Colorado
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Just make sure you’ve gathered your belongings, enjoy that last cup of coffee on the porch, and we’ll handle the rest. Your vacation is meant to be relaxing right up to the very end.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 4701249vb
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Cortez
Cortez is home to this holiday home. Notah Dineh Trading Company and Museum and Clay Mesa art Gallery and Studio are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and Cortez Cultural Center. Rafting and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain climbing and rock climbing nearby.
Colorado Welcome Center at Cortez - 24 min drive - 31.9 km
Ute Mountain Casino - 30 min drive - 41.8 km
Mesa Verde National Park Entrance - 38 min drive - 51.9 km
Getting around
Cortez, CO (CEZ-Montezuma County) - 17 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Walk to Winery • Gate to Canyons of the Ancients pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total).
How much is parking at Walk to Winery • Gate to Canyons of the Ancients?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Walk to Winery • Gate to Canyons of the Ancients?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Walk to Winery • Gate to Canyons of the Ancients?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Walk to Winery • Gate to Canyons of the Ancients located?
Situated in Cortez, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Sutcliffe Vineyards and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Hawkins Preserve and Notah Dineh Trading Company and Museum are also within 20 miles (32 km).
About the host
Hosted by David Riggins
Hello! We're a family of firefighters from North Carolina who fell in love with the high desert's privacy and beauty. We created Sand Canyon Oasis as our personal getaway and are excited to share it. What truly captured us was the land—the beautiful home, seclusion, and especially the direct BLM access via a private gate into the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Our goal is a relaxing stay for you, which is why we proudly offer our 'Effortless Checkout'. We're just a message away!
Why they chose this property
We chose this specific location for its unparalleled combination of seclusion and adventure. The neighborhood offers a profound sense of privacy and tranquility, allowing you to truly disconnect. What we enjoy most is the incredible dark sky—at night, the stargazing is absolutely breathtaking. It's a place where you can feel away from it all, yet be on the doorstep of ancient history and vast wilderness.
What makes this property unique
The single most unique feature is our private 'backdoor' to adventure. We have a private gate that opens directly into the 500,000-acre Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. There's no need to drive; you can literally walk out the door and start exploring one of the most significant archaeological sites in the country. This direct access, combined with the property's peaceful seclusion and stunning dark skies, offers a truly rare and unforgettable high-desert experience.
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests