The 10 Best Colorado Vacation Rentals, from Budget to Lux

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From vibrant urban cities on the Front Range to acres of public open space in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado has lots to explore no matter what type of trip you have in mind.

The state is well-known for being an outdoor lover’s paradise. Whether you’re interested in hiking, biking, climbing, rafting, or skiing (or all of the above), you’ll have your pick of mountain towns where you can stay, play, eat, and explore. But even if you never lace on a pair of hiking shoes, you’ll find plenty to do between the state’s breweries, museums, cultural sites, and tourist attractions.

Next time you’re looking for a luxury getaway to the popular mountain state, consider booking a stay at one of these top-rated vacation rentals in Colorado to make your vacation just a little more memorable than it’d be at a run-of-the-mill hotel.

Related Read: 7 Scenic Weekend Road Trips from Denver

1. Geodesic Dome

geodesic dome vacation rental colorado — Photo: VRBO

Why you should stay: Colorful mountain living in the round.

Location: Rollinsville
Sleeps: 5
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $152/night

If you love yurt-style staycations, you’ll love this geodesic dome. Between the cool architecture, colorful accents, and forested location, you can expect a fun and funky getaway. Plus, you get your own private bedroom and scenic back porch. Should you choose to get out and explore the area, you’re a short drive from the eclectic town of Nederland, where you can grab a coffee, explore the shops, or hit up Crosscut or Backcountry for pizza.

If the great outdoors are more your style, lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails in nearby Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest. Be sure to get an early start for a hike up to the top of the Continental Divide for some jaw-dropping panoramic views. In the winter, you can catch some fresh powder on the slopes at Eldora Ski Resort, which has both downhill and cross-country skiing. Bonus: it’s one of the best dog-friendly vacation rentals in Colorado, complete with a fenced-in yard.

“Perfect spot for us to relax and explore the Rockies. Great hikes to choose from, and we truly enjoyed the town of Nederland. Great coffee & a few good restaurants to choose from!”

Clinton U.

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2. Bonnie Bell Cabin

bonnie bell cabin vrbo colorado — Photo: VRBO

Why you should stay: A true backcountry, high-alpine chalet with your own private mountain vistas.

Location: Silverton
Sleeps: 8
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Rates from: $450/night

The Bonnie Bell Cabin is a rustic, high-altitude retreat located at a literally breathtaking 12,000 feet. The cabin is built above the treeline, which is how it has expansive views of the San Juan mountains from pretty much every room in the house.

The cabin is located 15 miles north of the town of Silverton, should you need to pop into town, although it’d be easiest to pack enough to be self-sufficient during your stay. Bring along your hiking boots and your sense of adventure as you can easily strike out on foot to explore the area. If peak-bagging is on your to-do list, you have your pick of some great thirteeeners in the area, from Cinnamon Mountain and Houghton Peak to Tuttle Mountain and Hurricane Peak. And be sure to plan a trip to the nearby ghost town of Animas Forks.

The road up Picayune Gulch to the home is a rocky 4×4 road. You’ll want a high-clearance vehicle or ATV to make the trek up in the summer. Or, if you’re ambitious, you can schlep your stuff in on foot. This house is remote.

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3. Custom Mountain Home

Why you should stay: A modern mountain retreat with magnificent views.

Location: Woodland Park
Sleeps: 12
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $400/night

With room for the entire family plus some, this beautiful custom home is on a hillside with access to 126-acres and views for days. Inside, you’ll be greeted with all the modern comforts of home, along with big windows and bright spaces. Not to be outdone, the home’s outdoor spaces, including the outdoor kitchen and back patio, are equally inviting.

You’re only a 30-minute drive from all the amenities and activities in Colorado Springs, though you don’t have to drive that far to find things to do. Woodland Park also loads of has outdoor adventures, restaurants, and breweries to explore. And if you want to stick even closer to home, you can lace up your shoes and head out your front door to explore the streams, woods, and meadows all with the great view of Pikes Peak. It’s one of the best Colorado vacation rentals if you want to pack a lot into one vacation.

“This picturesque property is spacious and tranquil. It’s a beautiful drive out to the property with a fantastic patio/grill set up overlooking the local golf course, rolling hills and Pike’s Peak!”

Amy H.

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4. Blue River A-Frame

blue river cabin vrbo colorado — Photo: VRBO

Why you should stay: Cozy, riverside accommodations in a central location.

Location: Silverthorne
Sleeps: 4
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $246/night

Bring your fishing pole and your river tube, because this riverside retreat is the perfect way to escape to the mountains without having to drive too far from civilization. This contemporary A-frame provides your own little slice of backyard wilderness next to the Blue River, miles away from the daily grind.

The home is tucked a few miles north of the town of Silverthorne and within easy driving distance of Frisco and Dillon, where you have your choice of shops, restaurants, and breweries. In the summer, you can head out for a paddle on Dillon Reservoir or check out the area’s many outstanding hiking trails, which number in the hundreds. This is one of the best vacation rentals in Colorado for skiers as you’ll be near Keystone, Copper Mountain, or Loveland ski resorts.

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5. Riversong Retreat

Why you should stay: A lux private paradise for a dozen of your nearest and dearest.

Location: Durango
Sleeps: 12
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Rates from: $436/night

Providing so much more than just a roof over your head, the Riversong Retreat is the kind of Colorado vacation rental that makes you feel like you have an entire resort all to yourself. The modern home has a bevy of great features, including a detached garage that serves as a game room/workout room. You’ll likely find your favorite spot is the back patio or private hot tub where you can soak up the views of the Animas River and the red rock cliffs across the valley.

The home is only a short drive from beautiful Durango, so you can pop into town to enjoy great shops, art galleries, eateries, and other in-town activities. If you venture a little further afield, you’ll have your pick of hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding adventures. In the winter, hit up Purgatory Ski Resort to get face-deep in powder.

Since the house sleeps 12, it actually becomes one of the more affordable vacation rentals in Colorado if you pack the house and get it at a low price.

“Beyond happy with our stay. Perfect location, the drive there was beautiful, the views were phenomenal, the decoration and set up of the home is perfect.”

Jason W.

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Additional Read: 12 of the Best Airbnbs in Crested Butte, Colorado

6. Mid Century Modern Ranch House

Why you should stay: Get a good price on a convenient, well-kept home near Colorado Springs.

Location: Colorado Springs
Sleeps: 6
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $259/night

If you’re looking for a home with thoughtful touches and a backyard that invites you to unwind, this modern ranch house might be just what the doctor ordered. Along with the beautifully finished interior, you’ll have access to a great outdoor patio space, and you can walk to Cheyenne Creek. Leave the windows open in the warmer months, and the soothing sounds of this creek will be the soundtrack for your stay.

You’ll be minutes from some of the prime attractions of Colorado Springs. Don’t miss hiking at Garden of the Gods, checking out Seven Falls, taking a drive up Pikes Peak, and walking around the grounds of the posh Broadmoor Resort. Kids will love a trip to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the Olympic Training Center. Be sure to plan a stop off at the historic main street of Old Colorado City for shops, dining, museums, and more.

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7. Cripple Creek A-Frame

Why you should stay: Super affordable Colorado vacay rental with fantastic forest views and plenty of solitude.

Location: Cripple Creek
Sleeps: 4
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Rates from: $104/night

At the end of a dirt road is this A-frame: the perfect spot if you’re looking for some fresh mountain air and a little R&R without breaking the bank. It’s basic but well-stocked with everything you could need for your stay. Kick up your feet on the back deck to really slow down and soak in the views.

And even though you’ll feel deep in the woods at cabin, you can easily drive to Cripple Creek and all the area’s local attractions. Plan an afternoon out at Mueller State Park or Eleven Mile State Park to explore miles of fantastic hiking trails, or make a unique stop young paleontologists will love at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument to view insect and plant fossils. In the winter, pack your cross-country skis and snowshoes for an on-the-snow outing.

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Additional Read: 11 of the Best Airbnbs in Boulder, Colorado

8. Mid-Century Mod Home

Why you should stay: Massive mod-meets-mid-century property on the outskirts of Denver.

Location: Westminster
Sleeps: 20
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Rates from: $900/night

This 5,000-square foot modern home is a delightful mix of wide-open spaces and cozy nooks. Set on an acre lot, you can split your time between hanging out with the family or tucking yourself away in a private room or corner of the yard for some peace and quiet. Decked to the nines with all the amenities, this functional home is luxurious while still being cozy.

You’ll be in the outskirts of Denver within easy driving distance of downtown. Catch a concert at the nearby 1stBank Center or head into Denver’s LoDo District for trendy restaurants and a show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. From art galleries and museums to sports venues and shopping, downtown Denver has plenty to keep you occupied for weeks. Or if you’re hankering to go play in the mountains, head west to get to the foothills of Golden or Boulder.

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9. Blue Sky Mountain Ranch

Why you should stay: A slice of Wild West living on a private mountain ranch.

Location: Black Hawk
Sleeps: 14
Minimum stay: 4 nights
Rates from: $1,400/night

Escape from reality to this mountain paradise. The 120-acre Blue Sky Mountain Ranch is a private retreat on the Front Range where you can park yourself for days without seeing another person (except your traveling companions, of course.) Though you’ll be near Black Hawk and Boulder, you may find that you never want to leave once you arrive.

Luckily, you don’t have to. With miles of hiking and biking trails outside the front door, you can easily fill your days exploring the hills, woods, and meadows of the ranch (bring snowshoes in the winter!) Once you’ve worn yourself out exploring, pour out a glass of your favorite beverage to enjoy on the back deck or from the hot tub while you take in a sunset or sit under the stars. Sure, it’s the priciest Colorado vacation rental on this list, but the private fire pit next to the mountain-view hot tub is hard to pass up.

“Incredible home and land with amazing vistas! Ideal place to enjoy time with family, friends and nature.”

Cheri O.

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10. Woodmoor Lakefront Home

Why you should stay: Unwind in a waterfront property with incredible mountain views.

Location: Monument
Sleeps: 12
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Rates from: $450/night

This welcoming lakefront home invites you to relax and unwind. On the shore of Woodmoor Lake, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Front Range and Pikes Peak from the back patio, upper deck, or lower-level jacuzzi. The inside decor is beach-inspired without being over the top, and whomever snags the largest bedroom will be treated to a Jacuzzi tub under large windows peering out at the lake.

As it’s in Monument, you can easily plan a day out to check out all the amenities of Colorado Springs. Plan an afternoon out at Cave of the Winds, head to Red Rock Open Space, or hike in Pulpit Rock Park. Or check out the arts and food scene in the Springs.

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