A family-friendly stay in Boulder awaits you at this holiday home. You'll be 18.2 km (11.3 mi) from University of Colorado Boulder. Highlights at this holiday home include a kitchen, a washing machine and a fireplace. .Home features 4 bathrooms, a balcony and a living room. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. In-room jetted baths, a dining area and a fenced private garden are also available. .This pet-friendly holiday home offers a games room, a garden and barbecues. Additionally, you'll find a hot tub and laundry facilities. .In the area of this Boulder holiday home, you'll find Pearl Street Mall.
University of Colorado Boulder - 26 min drive - 17.8 km
Getting around
Arvada Ridge Station - 52 min drive
Broomfield, CO (BJC-Rocky Mountain Metropolitan) - 41 min drive
Restaurants
Alpine Modern Cafe - 25 min drive
Wondervu Cafe - 26 min drive
Chautauqua Dining Hall - 24 min drive
Last Stand Tavern - 23 min drive
Flagstaff House - 20 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails
It hardly gets any closer to both Boulder city and NatureRx driven lifestyle with our lake front cottage only 8 mi. up legendary Flagstaff mountain from historic Chautauqua National Historic Landmark and its world renown trails and canyons . Our cottage is a unique opportunity to experience the best of the great Colorado Outdoors! Faces Roosevelt National Forest and the Flagstaff mountain top gem of Gross Reservoir providing one of a kind views of both water & the surrounding foothills.
THE SPACE: Home features a welcoming open floor plan, charming kitchen, dining area w/ those views! Sunken living room opens to large brick patio for indoor/outdoor living! Three bedrooms and a family room that can serve as a fourth sleeping area can accommodate up to ten guests in mountainside magic (6 guests are allowed w/ the reservation and extra guests are 50$ per guest per night). Charming cozy interiors with majestic views and a provide more than adequate space with our large lawn space and outdoor playground.
FIVE FAVORITE FEATURES: Majestic views of mountains and lake make you feel you are a bird in a tree nest! Walking down the hill in front of the house with inflatable paddle boards backpacks (we have two!) and launching right on the sandy shore! Walking the many national forest and Boulder county trails around the house! Family bonding in our therapeutic round jacuzzi under the stars! Grilling your favorite meal on the large patio facing the lake! Taking paddle boards to the many inlets of the lake and the famous Forsythe Canyon Creek Falls (you can walk to them from the house as well along the perfect Forsythe Canyon Creek Trail)! - yes, yes, yes! A quick jaunt to the best shopping and restaurants in town just 15 minutes down a most spectacular mountain car ride! Going up and down Flagstaff mountain is not a drag but an awe like experience in itself! *THREE NIGHTS MINIMUM RENTAL (BUT DO INQUIRE FOR EXCEPTIONS)
Other things to note *PETS ALLOWED WITH PRIOR DISCUSSION WITH OWNER AT 50$ PER DAY PER PET Small Parties and events allowed with extra event footprint fee depending on size No shoes upstairs in carpeted areas NOTE: This is my private residence and is decorated and set up accordingly. Guests can benefit from the extra personal touches and use of ample kitchenware and are invited to use what is in the pantry for spices and condiments. The home includes thousands of books and valuable art as well as a 40k piano that we respectfully ask guests are mindful about. Thank you!
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Stunning Mountain Views, 3+ Acres, Easy to Boulder/Golden/Eldora/DIA/Red Rocks
Stunning Mountain Views, 3+ Acres, Easy to Boulder/Golden/Eldora/DIA/Red Rocks
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
Garden
Unit size: 1,750 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 25
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Rules
NO PARTIES w/o APPROVAL; NO LOUD NOISE AFTER 9; GARBAGE PICK UP THUR 8AM-TAKE BEAR PROOF BIN TO START OF DRIVEWAY Internet: AFCA Password: afcanatura
Small
Events and pets allowed with a fee; contingent on approval from owner after discussion of details
Pets
Pets are welcome
Maximum 2 pets
Service animals are exempt from fees.
Note from host: $50 per day per pet fee 10% discount weekly rental
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Events as with pets are allowed with a fee
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, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 50
Note from host: Events as with pets are allowed with a fee
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 50. Note from host: Events as with pets are allowed with a fee For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock in all accommodation.
Property Registration Number STR-24-0077
Property is also known as
Vrbo Property
Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & Usfs Trails Boulder
Frequently asked questions
Does Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails have a pool?
No, this holiday home doesn't have a pool.
What luxury perks are available at Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails?
This property features 1 hot tub, as well as a jetted bath and a fireplace.
What makes Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails a romantic place to stay?
1 hot tub, Jetted bath, and fireplaces all help set the scene for a sizzling getaway at Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails.
Is Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails family-friendly?
You bet! With amenities such as a playground, an arcade and children's books, it's no surprise that Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails is a winner with our family travellers.
Is there a private hot tub at Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails?
Yep, there is a hot tub.
Is there a free airport shuttle available at Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails?
No, Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails does not offer an airport shuttle service.
What time are check-in & check-out at Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.
Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails Reviews
Reviews
8.4
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 38 reviews
10 - Excellent
24
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 38 reviews
8 - Good
4
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 38 reviews
6 - Okay
5
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 38 reviews
4 - Poor
3
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 38 reviews
2 - Terrible
2
7.8/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
8/10 Good
Jan S., Isle of Palms, SC
9 Oct 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness
Jan S.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
2/10 Terrible
Patti S.
2 Oct 2025
Patti S.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Nancy P.
24 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful property and home! Very thoughtful spaces, comfortable beds. About 30 min up a winding road from Boulder. We were there for CU Parents weekend, so we didn’t get to spend much time at the house - would definitely like to go back for a weekend getaway to hike and relax. Easy check in/check out and great communication.
Nancy P.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Amit L.
18 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Our stay was amazing, everything in the house was so carefully selected and placed, specially the chairs in every corner of the yard with different views and angles! It really tells a story! We had a great time and the galaxy tribe leader next to garage door was super mysterious and enchanting, and the books all around. This is truly a magical place and one of a kind home.
Amit L.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
6/10 Okay
Sheldon M.
25 July 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness
Huge Construction Project
This was my first time staying in a property that was regularly lived in my the owner. The property was priced economically, but there were some things in the listing that were not clearly communicated that should be. Our goal was near a lake with a hot tub and this did accomplish that. However, this property is on the Gross Reservoir which is undergoing a multi-year construction project to add to the dam. The lake is dropped significantly and there are huge cranes, a concrete plant and equipment going all hours of the day and night. The owner obviously has no control over this - but it should have been stated. The pictures you see of the lake are not accurate. The home is very eclectic and is decorated with plants, rocks and books. It wasn't as clean as I would prefer, but it was fine, especially knowing that they lived there. We did have to hand wash all the dishes prior to using them because they were just not clean. The dishwasher is broken. The hot tub was nice and we regularly ate on the patio. However, the photos of the patio are not reflective of the current state. It's very cluttered and the yard is very grown over. The house is in a wonderful neighborhood at the top of the mountain. It could absolutely be an amazing property but you need to know about the Gross Reservoir Construction project (I should have googled this prior) and it could be cleaner for sure.
Sheldon M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Patricia R.
19 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful home in beautiful location
We had a fun and relaxing stay with frequent dips in the jacuzzi, lots of games (including a great pool table), and a beautiful back yard/patio where you overlook Gross Reservoir and great mountain views. And a short drive up Flagstaff Mountain yet it feels far away from the noise of Boulder.
Patricia R.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Michael B.
19 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful home with amazing g views!
Michael B.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
6/10 Okay
Zach M.
15 July 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness
We had very mixed feeling about our visit. My family and I were staying here and the host was kind enough to let us use her property as a wedding reception site. Unfortunately, communication was extremely poor. Prior to checking in, when messaging the host it would take multiple days for a reply. Communication via text in app appeared rushed, and it took me multiple times to read and understand what was communicated. Within a few hours of check in, I was told I needed to pay an extra sizable fee for a separate event. Months prior, I messaged the host saying I wanted a separate event prior to the wedding and the host didn’t appear to have a problem. However, now that I was about to stay and check in she re-read my message and refused to let me host this event without an extra event fee on top of the event fee I paid for the wedding. Honestly, felt like she was more interested in taking my money over hosting and providing a positive experience. The cleanliness of the house was subpar. There were bugs on the comforter upon arrival. When asked, she stated this was normal and they purposely left windows open so bugs would likely get in. On top of this, the comforter was stained with cat urine, as well as the carpet. Towels were not provided in the upstairs bathroom. We also found hair in the bathtub. In terms of the property itself, we couldn’t be happier! The view was amazing and the patio was perfect for our wedding reception. The home offered many amenities as well.
Zach M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
4/10 Poor
Christopher C.
30 June 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness
Christopher C.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
8/10 Good
Diane G.
23 June 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Small bridal shower
Enjoyed the location Nice home with many plants, nice art. Many personal photos. Did make me feel uncomfortable like I was invading someone’s privacy. Very warm at night. Cooling was a problem but not enouh that I regretted staying. Outside area behind the house was great with fabulous views.
Diane G.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Laura W., Austin , Texas
16 June 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
We had a wonderful stay out at the cabin. The house is very cozy and filled with plants and art, While outside every window are trees, wildlife, and trails to follow! Bring groceries or enjoy winding your way up and down the mountain to explore Boulder. The host was very responsive and had lots of great tips for hiking. Yes, the dam is under construction right now, but we weren’t really bothered by that.
Laura W.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Curtis B.
12 May 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Comfortable House in the Mountains
This house is full of games and books and places to rest, both inside and out (including on a large outside patio). It is located in the Colorado high country, about a half-hour drive from Boulder. The views are amazing in all directions, and there are great hikes nearby. The drive to and from Boulder winds around a lot but is very scenic (we saw herds of elk along the way). The owner was very responsive to our questions.
Curtis B.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kayeleen G.
2 Jan 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Cute little home with personal touches!
It was our first time staying in Colorado, we fell in love with the area! The views the house offers is amazing!
Kayeleen G.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Shanne K.
29 Dec 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Great mountain home
We stayed here for a Christmas get away. Beautiful home in the mountains. The only negative I could give is the dishwasher. It didn’t work properly & with 6 people, it was a lot of dishes to do.
Shanne K.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Candice F.
26 Aug 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Hidden gem
LOVED this house and the views are breathtaking. Irene was such a pleasure to meet and super informative about the trails. This house has so much character and beautiful artwork to enjoy during the stay. Wish we had more time to explore. Would recommend renting a car if staying at this property as it was in a remote location and we had some difficulty getting Uber rides. Absolutely loved this property though, would highly recommend and we will hopefully be back!
Candice F.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Erin C.
26 Aug 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location
This location is breathtaking. And so much to do! We hiked every day, hot tubbed and cooked. It was a wonderful stay.
Erin C.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Roman B.
1 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Home in Boulder
I was very impressed with the property. I feel the online pictures do not give it justice. As soon as we walked in we were immediately stunned with the home. It is beautifully decorated giving the house a warmth not portayed in the photos. The outside area has numeours sitting ares so that you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
The owner was very easy to communicate with and you could tell they authentically wanted to provide a great experience.
The location is spectacular, but keep in mind it is a little over 10 miles from boulder which takes about 30 minutes to get to because of the switchback mountain- I would highly recommend grabbing whatever your essentials may be before coming to the house.
Overall it was a great experience with all of us in agreement that this was one of, if not the nicest,places we ever rented. If I ever returned to the area I would book again.
Roman B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Drew J.
4 July 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Drew
Wonderful place!:)
Drew J.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
6/10 Okay
Adrian c.
13 June 2023
disappointing
Loved the location and the house had adequate room for my family.
However, the photos in the listing of the interior are not current and do not reflect the "cluttered" state of the home, unrelenting (all night and weekend) noise from dam construction, cleanliness an issue, the owners supplies limited the use of the refrigerator, a door was missing from the shower, the power went out @ 4am and the owner could not be reached the entire morning (multiple phone calls) no electricity, heat or water and we had to leave early (obviously not there fault), poor deck stone work leading to treacherous steps and walkway.
Potentially a great rental, but needs work and care.
Adrian c.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
john b., Potomac, MD
31 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect House for me +4
My friends and I, all 42 and from different cities, stayed at the house over Memorial Day weekend. We came with enough groceries for the 3 nights to not have to leave and stay on-site we did - that’s how much we loved this house. We did manage to walk down to the water but be warned there is quite a bit of elevation change and it’s probably 200 yards before you bisect the trail. We cooked for every meal without want for any other gadgets, bowls, plates, glasses, or cutlery. We had one fire and spent a lot of time on the back patio. The stars were amazing! Boulder is a quick 15 minute drive down a winding road but as I mentioned before we just stayed in the house. There are three types of coffee makers, a large blender, a large fridge/freezer, a big bbq grill, tons of pots/pans, etc…. The owner was very responsive and even gave us some good recommendations. Probably the best thing I can say is that I will certainly be returning!
john b.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
2/10 Terrible
Jayne S.
9 Jan 2023
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location, not a great VRBO experience
This property overlooks the Gross Reservoir, but is should be a three-season rental due to weather and a gnarly access road. We booked 3 days for a family Christmas gathering, attracted by a view, wood stove, outdoor grill, fire pit and hot tub. Irene reminds you this is HER house. You literally walk into "just" a house, with no welcoming hospitality (like a few shelves/drawers to store personal things, soap and towels in the bathrooms, firewood, propane for the grill, or a shoveled driveway). There WAS a festive Christmas tree The house was mostly clean (except for refrigerator handles and moldy leftover coffee grounds in the coffee maker - yuk!). Cabinets were disorganized, making cooking a scavenger hunt to find pots, pans, dishes, etc. We never found dishtowels, wash clothes in messy linen closet or dish soap - but did find brake, wheel and engine cleaners under the sink). The blizzard of 2022 across the Midwest delayed our arrival by a day. We arrived to find 8-10 inches of snow on the sloping driveway (it had snowed three days prior - I had asked the host about the roads with a vague response). My son rummaged for a snow shovel and spent 30 hard minutes shoveling a path for the cars. We could not believe that Irene did not have a service to do this. When we have rented ski houses or condos, the host always has shoveled paths, driveways and parking spots. We shoveled around the grill (a nice one similar to what we have at home), which started initially, but then went out -- propane tank was empty, so we had to adapt our traditional recipes to the broiler. Son had some wood in his car, which helped keep warmth in the house with fierce winds outside. The furnace tried - but kept going to eco mode so we had to reset often. In fairness, Irene had warned us of this and told us what to do. It was too cold and windy to use the fire pit or hot tub.
I alerted Irene to our problems before writing a review, and asked if she would consider a partial refund for our missed day and the shoveling and cleaning we had to do. She went crickets. Our displeasure is not with the weather per se (traveling in winter always has its challenges) as we are pretty adaptable and understanding. But we don't feel Irene understands what it means to be a good VRBO host, or what guests expect of the experience, especially with the rates she is charging. We were highly disappointed with our host's lack of response.
Jayne S.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
timothy o.
9 Oct 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful!
The house was beautiful., clean and the views were gorgeous. The drive to the house from Boulder was about half an hour with amazing views as well.
timothy o.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Tracy G., San Antonio, Texas
5 Oct 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location
The view was amazing. Very cozy and warm home. Would definitely stay again.
Tracy G.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
8/10 Good
Ed K.
18 July 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful area located in the mountains at 8500 feet
Property was very nice. One draw back was the dog run could not be used because brush had grown to tall. Otherwise its a great place with great views.
Ed K.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Oanh H.
24 May 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice tranquil stay
Although a bit of driving required from downtown Boulder, it is very worthwhile as the views and surroundings are beautiful. The house was clean and comfortable.