Entire home

Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails

Photo gallery for Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails

Exterior
Exterior
Outdoor dining
Balcony
Beach

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
3 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 6162.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Washer

Explore the area

Map
Boulder, CO
  • Pearl Street Mall
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Folsom Field
    ‪25 min drive‬
  • University of Colorado Boulder
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • Broomfield, CO (BJC-Rocky Mountain Metropolitan)
    ‪40 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

2nd floor Lakeview

1 Queen Bed

2nd floor Mountain View

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

Master

1 King Bed

4 bathrooms

1st floor 3rdBathrrom

Toilet · Shower only

2nd floor hallway

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

2nd floor master

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 4

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

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 the kayak 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 (INQUIRE FOR EXCEPTIONS)

Other things to note
*THREE NIGHTS MINIMUM RENTAL (INQUIRE FOR EXCEPTIONS)
PETS ALLOWED WITH PRIOR DISCUSSION WITH OWNER AT 50$ PER DAY PER PET
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!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Events as with pets are allowed with a fee
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Pets

Pets allowed: limit 2 total
$50 per day per pet fee 10% discount weekly rental
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
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

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
Property Registration Number STR-24-0077

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Boulder

Located in Boulder, this holiday home is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Pearl Street Mall and Twenty Ninth Street are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Eldorado Canyon State Park and Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Travelling with kids? Consider Fiske Planetarium and Sommer Bausch Observatory. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Boulder, CO

What's nearby

  • Chautauqua Park - 24 min drive - 15.2 km
  • Pearl Street Mall - 24 min drive - 15.9 km
  • Boulder Theater - 25 min drive - 16.3 km
  • Folsom Field - 25 min drive - 16.3 km
  • 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

  • ‪Wondervu Cafe - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪Coal Creek Coffee - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪The Sink - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪Alpine Modern Cafe - ‬25 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Boulder Best City + Nature w/ Lake & USFS Trails located?

This family-friendly Boulder holiday home is located on the waterfront, 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Walker Ranch Park, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Eldorado Canyon State Park and Flatirons. Flagstaff Mountain and Colorado Chautauqua are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 34 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Check-in

8.4/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

8.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home with amazing g views!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia R.

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

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Diane G.

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

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.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Curtis B.

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

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.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Sheldon M.

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

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.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kayeleen G.

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

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!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Zach M.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shanne K.

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

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.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Beautiful location

This location is breathtaking. And so much to do! We hiked every day, hot tubbed and cooked. It was a wonderful stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Candice F.

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

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!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Drew J.

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

Drew

Wonderful place!:)
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Azael G.

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

Beautiful views

Beautiful is all I could say ! It is 30 ministers up the mountain which was scary for a Texan but other than that the views you get are amazing ! We got sick with the flu and had to leave 2 days early hope we get the chance to go again and not be sick defiantly worth the money
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Roman B.

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

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

Adrian c.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy

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.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

john b., Potomac, MD

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

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!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

2/10 Terrible

Jayne S.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

4/10 Poor

Christopher C.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

timothy o.

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

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tracy G., San Antonio, Texas

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

Beautiful location

The view was amazing. Very cozy and warm home. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Ed K.

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

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.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Oanh H.

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

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.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Nick M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication

Beautiful location, communication could be a bit better

We had a wedding at this home, and it was very lovely. While we eventually got everything straightened out there were some important details that we didn’t hear back about for a while. Otherwise the house was super clean, gorgeous setting, and a wonderful stay. Would definitely recommend for vacationers!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amanda D.

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

Beautiful

A lovely property with an amazing vibe! We had a great time and the owner was very responsive to communication. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

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

Beautiful view; issues with cleanliness and access to basic appliances (dishwasher, washer/dryer)

The location is spectacular at the top of the mountain with sweeping views and hiking trails nearby. The refund on the security deposit was processed promptly and check-in was easy, although communication was not as seamless as I expected from experience with other owners. However, there were too many issues that detracted from our stay. For example, the dishwasher was not working; dirty water did not drain, which meant we could not use it. There were 5 of us staying there and of course, during COVID, we ate all of our meals in the house, which meant a LOT of handwashing. The washer and dryer were filled with the owner's clothes, preventing us from washing our clothes, as we had planned. The television did not work, there were no pillows in one of the bedrooms (only decorative pillows), there was a pair of dirty gym shorts under the rug in one of the bedrooms, dirty socks in another, no lightbulbs in one of the bathrooms (and no replacements). In short, there is a lot of potential but it did not feel like this house was properly cared for with the renter in mind. I have enjoyed wonderful experiences with VRBO and this is the first time it has been necessary to leave negative feedback.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

About the host

Your host

Host profile image
IRENE VILAR (Arecibo, Puerto Rico) is a mother, NatureRX enthusiast, author, publisher, environmental and cultural artivist, and founder and executive director of the Colorado and Puerto Rico based environmental nonprofit Americas for Conservation + the Arts 501(c)(3). Vilar has been an active public speaker for multicultural literacy, reproductive and mental health, environmental justice, and access/equity issues in connecting communities to the outdoors. Since the publishing of Vilar’s first book in 1996, she has given numerous academic lectures and workshops on writing, reproductive health, and environmental justice. A Guggenheim Fellow, Vilar is also a member of the Oxford Union Debate Society and a recipient of the City of Denver Office of Sustainability Community Builder 2016 Love This Place Award as well as the 2017 Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture Imagine 2020

Why they chose this property

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. 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 the kayak 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 (INQUIRE FOR EXCEPTIONS)

Other things to note
*THREE NIGHTS MINIMUM RENTAL (INQUIRE FOR EXCEPTIONS)

What makes this property unique

This home is pure NatureRx !!

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests