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Secluded, Mystic Mountain Lodge w/cinema/arcade rm

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Mystic Mountain Lodge -- forested, very private, resting at 9,000+ feet altitude
Spacious living room invites guests to relax and soak in the forest views
Dining for 6 just off the kitchen and living room for warm family meals
Well-stocked kitchen includes real Italian coffee/espresso maker & open counter
Easy service between kitchen and dining with seating for 4 more just outside

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8223.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Cloudcroft, NM
  • Cloudcroft Ski Area
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Sacramento Mountains Museum
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Sacramento Peak Observatory
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Alamogordo, NM (ALM-White Sands Regional)
    ‪52 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bear Room

1 King Bed

Master Suite

1 King Bed

Wolf Room

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

"Fish Camp" Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo

Master Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Theater/Arcade Room & WC

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Secluded, Mystic Mountain Lodge w/cinema/arcade rm

❦ Luxury accommodations in the Lincoln National Forest ❦ — Very private mountain-top (>9K ft above sea level), 3-story log cabin, with 3 bedrooms/2.5 baths plus bonus room; sleeps 8. Remote yet just 13 minutes to Ski Cloudcroft (3 more to the village). Completely equipped kitchen yet spacious covered balconies for outdoor grilling while soaking in forested mountain views. The huge wall of windows in the warm and inviting living room brings the pristine forest right indoors. Free Wi-Fi throughout. Master suite, cozy reading nook, and black-walnut desk (dedicated workspace) at loft-level; 2 bedrooms at main living level; futon in the cinema/arcade room at parking level; all this means space for the whole family. Outdoor (only) video & audio surveillance in effect for your protection.

The altitude of Mystic Mountain Lodge makes it a great area for professional and amateur astronomy. The 2400+ sq ft cabin is on 2.2 acres at the end of a cul-de-sac with lots of wildlife and no traffic; a very private, deep-woods log-cabin feel. The warm glow from the pellet stove in the living room is supplemented by central forced-air heating. The home theater system, 3 arcade games (12 games each), and board games means nobody is going to get bored after sundown following long days of exploring the quaint shops on Burro Street and the 90+ hiking trails around Cloudcroft. Whether breakfast on the covered balcony or grilling lunch/dinner in the great outdoors, the wraparound deck will place you right in the deep woods charm and mystery. Nights on the deck will place you under mystery of the deep dark expanse of the Milky Way and planets; bring your telescope!

Property manager

Michael & Emily Holt
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Infants are people too and count as guests
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
□ STRICT RULES: 8 guests maximum! Cancellation or Penalty fee $100/extra/night; Absolutely NO PETS! Cancellation or Penalty fee $200/pet/night
□ Infants are people too and count as guests □ DO NOT rearrange furniture, move the gas grill, adjust decorations, or fiddle with electronics, etc.
□ NO smoking; NO outdoor fires including fireworks (BBQ grill is supplied); NO straying/hiking/exploring on private property; NO hunting; NO CAMPING

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
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Cloudcroft

Located in Cloudcroft, this cabin is in the city centre and on a lake. Trestle Recreation Area and New Mexico Rails-to-Trails reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Sacramento Peak Observatory and The Tunnel Stop. Travelling with kids? Consider National Solar Observatory and Apache Point Observatory. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the ice skating and sledging.
Map
Cloudcroft, NM

What's nearby

  • Cloudcroft Ski Area - 12 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Sacramento Mountains Museum - 16 min drive - 11.5 km
  • Sacramento Peak Observatory - 16 min drive - 11.6 km
  • Trestle Recreation Area - 17 min drive - 12.9 km
  • New Mexico Rails-to-Trails - 17 min drive - 12.9 km

Getting around

  • Alamogordo, NM (ALM-White Sands Regional) - 52 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Mad Jack's Mountaintop Barbecue - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Cloudcroft Brewing Company - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Dave's Cafe - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Big Daddy's Diner - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Burro Street Bakery - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secluded, Mystic Mountain Lodge w/cinema/arcade rm pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Secluded, Mystic Mountain Lodge w/cinema/arcade rm?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secluded, Mystic Mountain Lodge w/cinema/arcade rm?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Secluded, Mystic Mountain Lodge w/cinema/arcade rm located?

Located on a lake, this family-friendly cabin is within 9 mi (15 km) of Cloudcroft Ski Area, Sacramento Peak Observatory and Trestle Recreation Area. New Mexico Rails-to-Trails and Sacramento Mountains Museum are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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. 45 out of 46 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 46 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 46 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Collin C.

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

Great Cabin

Really lovely cabin. Was remote and beautiful.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Malcolm R.

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

Beautiful home and area

It was a great place for our wedding anniversary. Very secluded. Four night stay and we stayed in for two of those. Had about an inch or two of snow. No trouble getting up to the house or leaving. Saw elk and deer in the area. Stellar Jays, white breasted nuthatch and other birds. Great place to stay and relax.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa S.

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

Excellent vacation spot

We had an excellent vacation. The cabin was as described. The view was excellent and the location/privacy was perfect. The coffee maker was a little tricky but it was AMAZING once we figured it out. Deer all around was a highlight.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph K.

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

Nice relaxing place to enjoy nature and beauty at its best!

Very enjoyable stay! Host was great and took care of us in a professional manner!
Stayed 12 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cody C.

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

Peaceful mountain weekend

Great house for our family to spend a long weekend. Peaceful and quiet. Great layout/floorplan for the mountains. We really enjoyed the huge windows and the wrap around decks. Afternoon rain showers and plenty of wildlife added to the experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert P.

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

Magestic Mountain Getaway

Great family retreat! Drove 1000 miles to escape the heat and humidity of Louisiana and was not disappointed! Thankful for the Holt's who chose to share their wonderful property. Besides the great temps, 50's in AM and low 80's low humidity during the day, we most enjoyed the animal life from the property and along the route to CloudCroft. Herds of 40+ elk with bulls in velvet at base of the driveway to the property were a special treat. We caught a glimpse of a small black bear crossing the road 200 yards from the cabin! 5* Property all the way!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte

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

Exceptional property!

The Mystic Mountain Lodge was perfect. We thoroughly enjoyed that it was tucked away at the end of the road. The peacefulness was exactly what we were looking for. The home was stocked with everything we needed. Great communication with the owners! We would definitely stay again! 😊🏔️
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Great getaway.

A beautiful lodge with something for everyone in our family. Very well thought out place to stay. The house rules book is very well done with lots of great trip suggestions. Beautiful views and from house and porches. Very clean and and well stocked with essential to make your stay better. Thank you for a great family getaway home.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

carey h.

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

Cozy and Quiet

We enjoyed our stay at Mystic Mountain Lodge! Comfortable, clean and very secluded.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brandi D.

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

Couldn’t have been better

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Mystic Mountain Lodge! The cabin was very clean and organized with breathtaking views from the beautiful picture windows in the living room. Our children especially loved the game room which also allowed for some restful moments for mom and dad. 😉 The hosts were fantastic to work with and very responsive to any questions we had. I highly recommend this property to anyone looking for a peaceful retreat from the daily grind! You won’t regret it!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robby K G.

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

Absolutely delightful

Mystic Mountain Lodge is perfect: impeccably clean, beautifully decorated, and exceptionally comfortable. Every inch a five star home. The area was replete with natural beauty and very quiet during our walks along the road. We so enjoyed sitting on the deck at all times of day, and the theater room was restful after long days of hiking. We hope to visit again in the future with more family!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Great cabin in a wonderful location!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane B.

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

Cloudcroft in Comfort

We enjoyed our stay at this property very much. The home was clean, very well stocked with everything you need, and surrounded by beautiful trees. You can sit on the deck and watch the birds and butterflies while enjoying your coffee or tea. We did have one little hiccup while we were there but Michael took care of it immediately. It did not interfere with our stay at all. I highly recommend staying here. You'll have a great time and make lots of wonderful memories.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matt B., SE New Mexico

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

Top of the Mountain

We had a few days to play some disc golf, and we wanted a really nice place to relax each night. This cabin was amazing, and the hosts supplied everything you could need. The beds are comfortable, the couches are heavenly, and the arcade room is a blast. The only issue was a large number of moths, which are, unfortunately, very common this time of year in the area. They were all over the house, so if you are afraid of them, like my sister would have been, then you need to consider that. Otherwise, it was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ellen T., Midland tx

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

Beautiful peaceful home!

We had a wonderful vacation at this beautiful home! The views are just spectacular!! The neighborhood is so quiet. We enjoyed coffee on the deck in the morning and viewing stars from the deck in the evening. The kids loved the game room, especially the video games. The house has everything we needed for trip to Cloudcroft!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stevenie F.

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

Quiet and Peaceful

We had a lovely stay! Everything about the cabin was perfect. Sunrises & coffee in the mail room was beautiful. Beds were comfy, plenty of towels and supplies. We had the added treat of watching a family of Bobcats scurry around just off the deck on our last day. Amazing!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

John F.

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

Comfy mountain top cabin

Property was very nice and comfortable. Our vacation activities took a few unexpected turns and thankfully the lodge was cozy enough that while I plans were changed, our lounging still allowed for a good trip. I contacted the owner and local POC while at the cabin and received a prompt and professional response every time. I would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris S.

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

Great Cabin!

We loved this place, the game room downstairs was a ton of fun!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy C.

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

Winter Getaway

Had a great time. House was everything as advertised. One of the absolute bonuses was the backup generator. Not even sure that is advertised as an amenity. Last day we were there the whole town and surrounding area lost power due to a major wind storm. Not us! We were good to go. Thanks and hope to see you next winter.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

chase c.

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

Winter wonderland

The timing and atmosphere was wonderful, with fresh blankets of snow. My family and I skied and enjoyed the town of cloudcroft!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023

6/10 Okay

Liana P., El Paso, TX

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

Great place, but did not meet expectations

We spent New Year’s weekend here. It was a wonderful weekend and a great way to bring in the new year. We’ve stayed at several cabins in the area. This was by far the most expensive and should have met the standards. It did not live up to the hype. The nightly cost was well above the “average nightly price” listed, meaning the price was inflated for New Years’ weekend. I understand that this is a holiday, however I expected the quality of the stay to meet the higher price. When I made the reservation, I mistakenly put only 1 adult, so I sent a message stating that there were 4 adults, and 2 children. I was told that “unlike certain other homes in the Cloudcroft area, we do not charge by the head”. The week before our trip, due to flight cancellations around Christmas, another couple asked if they could join us. I sent an email explaining that we added another couple and their 3 year old. I was charged $100 per night for the 3 year old because it was now over capacity. I explained that there were 6 adults, and 3 children under 5, but was still charged a $200 penalty. I paid the fee, and continued with the reservation. I was also told that it was not possible to check in before 4pm, because there was another reservation checking out that day. When we arrived at 4:30pm, there was a vehicle in the driveway and I could hear voices. I had to leave my children in the car while I searched the house, because my husband was stuck in the snow and had not arrived yet. Eventually the owner of the vehicle came out of the garage and stated that he was the maintenance man, however this meant that we couldn’t fully check in until after 5. With an already later than normal check in time, earlier than normal check-out time, and an extra fee for a 3 year old, we were already disappointed. The cabin itself had absolutely NO extra blankets, pillows or towels, even though we clearly notified the host of the additional people. Our kids had to sleep with us, because there was no bedding available for them, and we had to share towels. No paper towels or napkins, had to wash every dish before we could use them. We were notified multiple times via email that we would be under constant surveillance, and were asked to strip the beds, wash/dry/put away all of the dishes, and still be out by 10am. A suggestion to the host, would be to know the worth of your property. If you are going to charge that much for the property, please make sure that it is cleaned, stocked and ready.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maria R.

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

Holiday in the mountains

We couldn’t have asked for a better host. They were very quick to respond and the property was superb. I loved the extra touch of labeling all over the kitchen to make our stay that much easier. The pictures do not do the place justice! Perfect for a family get away.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Leticia L.

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

AMAZING

We really loved this cabin. Beautiful view and very cozy and peaceful.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shanon

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Beautiful place. Very clean. Everything in great condition. Secluded. We saw elk and deer. Close to hiking and town. Very quiet.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lori B.

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

Beautiful house and property

Can’t go wrong with this house! It’s very spacious, nicely decorated, and very quiet at the end of the road . Excellent views and nice porches to sit on and enjoy the scenery. Lots & lots of deer and elk seen daily on the drive up to the house. They also have a great game room that our teenage son really enjoyed. We’d love to come back and stay again sometime! Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

About the host

Hosted by Michael & Emily Holt

Host profile image
Michael: My wife, Emily, and I love to travel, experience other cultures, meet new people, see new places and have adventures. We have 3 grown children, 2 of whom have college degrees in French and Linguistics while the other has a degree in Biology. My wife and I have studied French, Italian and a little German. We come from Texas, but my wife and I lived 2 years in northern Italy (Arona! Right on Lago Maggiore!) for my job, and then 2 more years in the east of England (Dereham, near Norwich). I am a recently retired Senior Staff Research Scientist, and my wife is a retired schoolteacher (5th-grade science). We own 2 short-term rental properties in Cloudcroft, New Mexico — this one that sleeps 6-8 guests (Mystic Mountain Lodge) and one that sleeps 15 (Mystic Forest Lodge). We love people and we love making people feel at home.

Emily: I am a retired science teacher living in Texas. I have an Etsy business that keeps me busy (etsy.com/shop/EmsItalianGems)! My husband, Michael, and I love to travel and stay in short-term rentals. Though we are both retired, we are kept quite busy hosting our wonderful guests at Mystic Mountain Lodge and Mystic Forest Lodge. We are really enjoying this new adventure!

Why they chose this property

We were looking for a log cabin with a deep-woods feel when we saw this cabin and absolutely fell in love with it. We love the quaintness of Cloudcroft and the beauty of these mountains, as well as the access from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and to the Grand Canyon and beyond. But the cabin itself, at high altitude and essentially in the middle of the Lincoln National Forest, simply ticked all the boxes for us. The majesty of the wildlife around the cabin, the mystique of the wind blowing through the forest, the intrigue of the clouds flying too low and getting caught in the trees, the beauty of the sunrise filtering through the woods on crisp mornings, and the awesomeness of the Milky Way stretching overhead at night with billions of stars gleaming in unmatched brightness against the darkest sky, inspires a sense of mystery, awe and fascination.

What makes this property unique

This is a real deep-woods log cabin at one of the most remote, yet very accessible locations in the Cloudcroft area. When you are finished exploring the more than 90 trails through these beautiful mountains, and the night has just gotten so dark, you can come settle in for family night in the home theater or around real arcade games. Or relax outside on the wraparound deck with your loved ones.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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