Cabin

Croll Cabins-Armstrong Library- #5 at Vallecito Lake, private lawn, great views!

Photo gallery for Croll Cabins-Armstrong Library- #5 at Vallecito Lake, private lawn, great views!

Terrace/patio
Exterior
Property grounds
Living area
Living area

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 9

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
Bayfield, CO
  • Vallecito Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Piedra River Hot Springs
  • Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
    ‪55 min drive‬
  • Durango, CO (DRO-La Plata County)
    ‪67 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed and 1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Croll Cabins-Armstrong Library- #5 at Vallecito Lake, private lawn, great views!

Armstrong Library (1200 sq ft) is a lakeside two story cabin with splendid lake and mountain views from the screened in porch and huge lakeside lawn. This cabin has a large living room with a fireplace and is nice and bright, with a table seating 4 for card games or a great place for breakfast. And dining room seating for 6. Newly remodeled in spring 2025. There are 3 bedrooms. One with a king bed downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs. One has a king bed and twin bed. The other a queen and double.


CROLL CABINS WELCOMES YOU

We’re a family-owned property featuring 6 cabins. Escape to this hidden gem nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, where adventure and relaxation meet. Our cabins provide an unforgettable vacation experience.

Croll Cabins is a great place for family reunions and for retreats. Check out our additional listings on property: VRBO 2740149, VRBO 2740729, VRBO 2740621, VRBO 2740772, and VRBO 2740861.

✭"...thank you for the great cabin and all the work you did to make our stay here wonderful. It was so peaceful and magical..."

✭"...Beautiful stay! Enjoyed the lake, the fire pit conversations, the space, and the wonderful stars. This place is truly such a beautiful find…"


LOCATION

Nestled on the eastern shore of Vallecito Reservoir, the cabins are surrounded by 961 acres of recreational land, providing plenty of outdoor activities right nearby, and averages over 300 sunny days a year. Croll Cabins is 45 minutes from Durango, Colorado, known for its Durango to Silverton train ride and historic downtown. Purgatory Ski Area is just over an hour, and Wolf Creek Ski area is an hour and a half. Pagosa Springs, CO is about an hour and a half away, boasting of the world’s deepest hot springs.


ARMSTRONG LIBRARY (CABIN 5, ORANGE TRIM)

*This Cabin Sleeps 9*

*Bedroom 1: King Bed
*Bedroom 2: King Bed and Twin Bed
*Bedroom 3: Queen Bed and Double Bed

*Bathroom 1: has bathtub/shower combo and storage cupboard
*Bathroom 2: Walk-in shower

There is a fully stocked kitchen for cooking meals with pots, pans, knives, utensils, dinnerware, baking dishes, toaster, a microwave, and a coffee pot. There is an oven and fridge/freezer.

The living area is quaint and cozy, with a wood stove, a couch and loveseat. There is a Smart TV with Starlink Internet for Streaming. Firewood is provided during cooler weather.

*There is a large parking area adjacent to the cabin.


Guest Access

The cabin and the entire Croll Cabins Property (appx. 15 acres) are available for guest use, providing plenty of places to walk and green space for games. The property is bordered by San Juan National Forest and Vallecito Reservoir.

Armstrong Library is a lakefront/riverfront cabin (seasonal water levels/rainfall dependent - see below).

Croll Cabins has kayaks, a canoe, and paddleboards for guest use, free of charge; life jackets are also provided and required.

The property has many picnic tables and grills, including at least one for each cabin. Additional tables can be moved on an as-needed basis.


DAY USE FEE

Group events (such as birthday parties and family gatherings) are allowed on property for the day, with a curfew of 9 PM. There is a charge of $10 per day per person. Price Bunkhouse has a limit of 14 people (including renters).


THINGS TO DO

A few of our favorite activities available in the immediate Vallecito area include:

*Backpacking *Fishing *Birding
*Cross Country Skiing *Hiking *Biking
*Kayaking *Photography *Rock Climbing
*Fly fishing *Sailing *Horseback Riding
*Wildlife Viewing *Snowmobiling *Hunting


PETS

**There is a $20 fee per night per dog** (excluding service dogs)
**Max two dogs**
*Your dog must be friendly and house-trained.
*Your dog must always be supervised by you or put in a crate if left alone.
*You will be charged for any damage caused by your dog
*Dogs are not allowed on furniture such as couches and beds
*Dogs must be leashed while on the property
*Owner responsible for pet waste


ACCESS TO PROPERTY

Access is via private dirt road (.5mi from North, 4.5mi from South); while the road is open to the public from May – September, it may be gated during the rest of the year, access codes will be provided as needed. Access from the South is gated by the Forest Service for Cross Country Skiing from December to April. Cabins accessible via groomed ski trails snow permitting, December – April.


LAKE LEVELS

Vallecito is a reservoir that provides water for La Plata County. As such, we have no control over lake levels and can vary as much as 20 feet. It isn’t uncommon for water levels to be so high that it can affect plumbing in a few of the cabins for a few weeks during the summer. Port-a-potties will be on-site near affected cabins if this is the case. There is also a bath/shower house up the hill for use in extreme cases. We understand this can be frustrating and will provide a discount if this affects your stay.
Due to the nature of the property and the cabin size, for each undeclared guest that exceeds the number of people the cabin sleeps, there will be a $100 fine per person per night. Please be mindful of the cabin’s capacity when booking and plan accordingly. Each cabin is different, and a larger cabin or multiple cabins might suit your group better.


WINTER ACCESS

4WD/AWD May be required from November / March, the property is plowed, however, one hill must be traversed for access, and we cannot guarantee snow will be plowed at arrival.


WEATHER CANCELLATIONS

****We can not predict or control the weather, so we don't offer refunds due to inclement weather. Please keep this in mind when booking; if this is a concern, we recommend purchasing travel insurance (AirBNB provides this while checking out!).****

Hosts are on-site to help with any issues, including access during winter.

Property manager

David Croll
Premier Host

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Amenities

Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Fireplace

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
We have a $10/pp/per day
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
Pets are not allowed on furniture and beds.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 20
Note from host: We have a $10/pp/per day
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
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

Bayfield

Bayfield is home to this cabin. Dalton Ranch Golf Club and Cliffs at Tamarron are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Eagle Park and James Ranch.
Map
Bayfield, CO

What's nearby

  • Vallecito Lake - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Lake SImpatico Trailhead - 32 min drive - 23.3 km
  • Lemon Reservoir - 37 min drive - 25.5 km
  • Fort Lewis College - 53 min drive - 46.6 km
  • Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - 55 min drive - 48.4 km

Getting around

  • Durango, CO (DRO-La Plata County) - 58 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Lake House Bar & Grill - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Rusty Shovel Saloon - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Altitude ATV & Side-by-Side Rentals - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Pura Vida Cafe - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Bayfield County Market - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Croll Cabins-Armstrong Library- #5 at Vallecito Lake, private lawn, great views! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at Croll Cabins-Armstrong Library- #5 at Vallecito Lake, private lawn, great views!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Croll Cabins-Armstrong Library- #5 at Vallecito Lake, private lawn, great views!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Croll Cabins-Armstrong Library- #5 at Vallecito Lake, private lawn, great views! located?

Situated in Bayfield, this cabin is steps away from Vallecito Lake and Los Pinos River. Lake SImpatico Trailhead is 12 mi (19.3 km) away.

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 4 out of 7 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 7 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lee C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location! Cabin had plenty of room and everything we needed. We will come back again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Kelly D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Short Family Getaway

Very quaint cabin on the water. It did not have large sq footage but very usable space. We really enjoyed the screened in back porch. Caretakers and neighbors were very accommodating and nice.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Time

We enjoyed our time together. It was peaceful. It offered space for us to all get out and participate in our own outdoor activities and to eat together.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Nancy C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Nice getawy in the mountains

The owners and managers are very kind and prompt with communication. The expectations are to clean the place upon checkout. The floors were filtht wgen we got there. The only cleaning supplies were dish soap, hand soap, rags , broom, vaccume. No mops. I bought cleaners when in Durango and hand mopped the bathroom and kitcken floor with a rag. The property and lake are absolutely gorgeous. The check i. And out times are not ideal. Checknout was by 10 am. When you have to pack load and clean a cabin and dump trash before leaving, the checkout time should be much later. I worry about how sanitary it is to rely on previous tennant to clean before the next tennant comes.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

karen l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful getaway

My daughter and I had a girls' getaway, and had a great time here. The house is clean and comfortable, and so close to the lake. We went fishing and kayaking. It was great that they let us borrow kayaks, and there were games to play and movies to borrow when it rained. It was a beautiful spot.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Stephanie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake side

Cabin is older building and the upstairs floor bounces when you walk on it. The two bathrooms are both down stairs and next to one another on the bottom floor. The location of the cabin is great
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing lake view

Great cabin, very friendly and accommodating hosts! Wonderful stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by David Croll

Host profile image

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests