Cabin

Arapaho Forest Lodge | Hot Tub, Game Room, Hiking

Photo gallery for Arapaho Forest Lodge | Hot Tub, Game Room, Hiking

We look forward to making you feel at home..
The hot tub sits closely next to the forest line, offering you a look into the dense wilderness and nearby hiking trails.
You will feel right at home in the calm, cozy living space.
The lodge-themed master suite includes a king-size bed and an ensuite bathroom.
The dining table seats 8 people, easily accommodating each person in your party.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8218.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

Map
Black Hawk, CO
  • Golden Gate Canyon State Park
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Ameristar Casino Black Hawk
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Monarch Casino Black Hawk
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Boulder, CO (WBU-Boulder Municipal)
    ‪57 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Sofa Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Garden

About this property

Arapaho Forest Lodge | Hot Tub, Game Room, Hiking

Launch a fabulous mountain getaway with your family or group + a doggy or 2. You’ll love the quiet privacy, relaxing in the hot tub, taking in breathtaking mountain/forest views, and exploring wooded acreage abutting Arapaho Natl Forest w/rare trailside forest access. Take advantage of unexpected supplies + equipment – baby/toddler gear, recreational equipment, and puzzles, books, games for the kiddos. Fast Wi-Fi. Close to skiing, Boulder, Denver; 5 mins to Hwy 119. No checkout chores required!

After conveniently entering the spacious, 2,300-sq-ft Arapaho Forest Lodge via keyless entry, step into the open great-room/dining area. You’ll immediately soak in the charming lodge vibe – starring moose, bears, deer, and elk – as you relax on comfy furniture, enjoy expansive views from the large windows that surround you, and experience the cozy warmth of the electric woodstove. Watch your favorite shows and sports, using your own log-ins for streaming services on the 46” Pioneer ROKU TV.

Prep and cook your most delicious recipes in the spacious and fully equipped kitchen enhanced by stunning views and open to the dining room. Enjoy the convenience of stainless-steel major appliances (including chef-preferred gas stove), plus a handy selection of small kitchen appliances – blender, crockpot, hand mixer, waffle iron, food processor, George Foreman grill, coffee grinder, French press, electric teakettle, Cuisinart coffeemaker. You’ll also find a full selection of spices, oils, pantry staples, and everything you need for cooking, baking, serving, and dining. Grab your morning hot beverage from the coffee bar, where you can also pull up a stool and leisurely sip your java or tea.

Dine at the rustic custom log dining table that seats six and affords lovely views and easy access to the deck – or dine al fresco in the warmer months at the outdoor table for six. You’ll also find a small table for snacks, hot beverages, or cocktails, along with a large gas grill for outdoor cooking.

While outside, soak your cares away in the six-person hot tub. Enjoy the small deck by the hot tub and several seating clusters for relaxing, conversing, and appreciating the view. Chill out on the front deck and stargaze at night. When snow’s on the ground, visit the Gear Hut, grab a set of host-provided snowshoes (available upon request), and enjoy a trek through the 2+ forested acres – or have a blast with the supplied sleds. You’ll also find coolers for picnics, yoga mats, backpacks and water bottles for hiking, and towels for the hot tub in the Gear Hut. In the warm months, hike the forest.

After a full day at one of the nearby ski venues – or just enjoying all the fun and relaxation Arapaho Forest Lodge has to offer, head for a restful night’s sleep in your selection of four bedrooms, all with exquisite views.

In the Master bedroom upstairs, discover a comfortable, rustic king bed, and wind down to sleep watching the 32” TCL ROKU TV. You’ll find plenty of storage here, too, along with an ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower and towel warmer. The unique L-shaped room provides a delightful sitting area.

Both kiddos and adults will enjoy the upstairs Bear bedroom with its queen bed and bear décor, along with books, puzzles, and toys.

The Moose bedroom on the first floor offers a queen bed and wonderful views.

Also on the first floor, you’ll find a hide-a-bed sofa with full-size memory-foam mattress in the Flex bedroom, which you can also use as a getaway space, hang-out room for reading or playing games, or kids’ play area; you’ll find toys and games in the closet and coffee table.

Refresh and rejuvenate in the main bathroom downstairs, known as the “Moose bathroom” for its custom wrought-iron moose towel bars, and metal tree sconce lighting, along with shower/tub combo.

You’ll love the convenience of a full-sized washer and dryer in the large pantry and laundry room, with fragrance-free soap, stain spray, dryer sheets, iron, and ironing board provided. Here, you’ll also find plenty of shelves for food storage.

AMENITY HIGHLIGHTS:
– 6-person hot tub
– Fully equipped kitchen with unexpected small appliances
– Sleds, coolers, horseshoes, croquet, bocce ball, snowshoes (on request), horseshoes and croquet supplied
– Super-fast, fiber-optic Internet
– Toys, puzzles, and games for the kiddos
– Baby and toddler equipment: Pack-n-Play, Evenflo booster seat, baby monitor. Here’s portable changing table, baby blankets, hypoallergenic baby soap and towel, outlet covers, baby monitor, children's gate, toddler rail guard, children’s dishware and utensils, Maclaren stroller, Bumpo seat and play bar, child-carrier backpacks. Let hosts know if you have additional needs to accommodate young children.
– Kayaks and paddles available on request (minimal transportation fee)
– Washer/dryer
– Two TCL ROKU TVs
– Gas grill
– Outdoor dining table and plenty of outdoor seating
– Pet-friendly (up to 2 dogs)

Guest Access [omit heading for VRBO]:
You have access to everything at Arapaho Forest Lodge except a locked supply closet, garage, and basement (access the Gear Hut from a curtained portion of the basement).

No fumbling with keys; self-check-in is available with digital keypad.

Privacy and quiet are hallmarks of this home that backs up to the National Forest. The lodge is completely surrounded by the forest. Walk toward the backyard, and you are in the National Forest with hundreds of acres available to wander.

Free parking is available in large driveway for up to three vehicles. Luggage can be loaded through front doors, and outdoor gear can be safely stored in the Gear Hut.

Arapaho Forest Lodge is located just minutes from downtown Nederland, close to shopping, restaurants, breweries, The Carousel of Happiness, liquor stores, grocery stores, and much more. Boulder and Denver are a short, scenic mountain drive away. Hosts will happily offer personalized suggestions based on your group’s interests.

You’ll be close to endless hiking, fishing, biking, sightseeing options, and of course, venues for skiing and other winter sports:
– Eldora Mountain Resort: 9 miles
– I-70 Summit County ski resorts – Copper Mountain: 69 miles, Breckenridge: 73.1 miles, Loveland: 48.1 miles, Arapahoe Basin: 55.3 miles, Winter Park: 57.3 miles, and more – can be easily accessed from Highway 119.
– 5-minute drive to Highway 119/Peak to Peak Highway leading to Estes Park: 49 miles, Boulder: 21 miles, Denver: 25 miles, and Summit County: 65.2 miles.

See Location tab for more.

Other Details to Note
Because of Arapaho Forest Lodge’s location in the National Forest and the need to protect land, animals, and YOU from the very real danger that fire presents, absolutely NO SMOKING is permitted under any circumstances.

Your safety matters to us. We have a Ring doorbell camera on the front door facing out. It records video and audio and is on 24/7.

4-WHEEL/ALL-WHEEL DRIVE with snow tires is a must NOVEMBER-APRIL. The roads are gravel, and the driveway is steep. (See photos.)

Mountain terrain can be rocky, icy, and slippery.

Because of moose, mountain lions, and bears in the area, dogs should be kept close.

No parties permitted, per vrbo regulations.

Up to two dogs permitted; $100 pet fee total. Abundant pet supplies available.

Property manager

Brigitte Johnson
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Gym

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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
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Charge may apply
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
NO CHORE LIST - you’re on vacation! Thank you for NOT SMOKING or having outdoor fires anywhere near or on this property. Fire danger is a real thi...

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: 25
Long-term renters welcome
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 and a first aid kit

About the area

Black Hawk

Located in Black Hawk, this cabin is in a rural area and in the mountains. Carousel of Happiness and Teller House are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Howlin Wind Brewing & Blending and Eldora Mountain Resort. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like cycling.
Map
Black Hawk, CO

What's nearby

  • Golden Gate Canyon State Park - 17 min drive - 7.9 km
  • Ameristar Casino Black Hawk - 20 min drive - 18.3 km
  • Monarch Casino Black Hawk - 21 min drive - 18.8 km
  • Grand Z Casino - 22 min drive - 19.3 km
  • Eldora Mountain Resort - 31 min drive - 21.1 km

Getting around

  • Winter Park Ski Resort Amtrak Station - 79 min drive
  • Broomfield, CO (BJC-Rocky Mountain Metropolitan) - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Wondervu Cafe - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Last Shot - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Howlin Wind Brewing & Blending - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪New Moon Bakery and Cafe - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Knotted Root Brewing - ‬24 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Arapaho Forest Lodge | Hot Tub, Game Room, Hiking pet-friendly?

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

What time is check-in at Arapaho Forest Lodge | Hot Tub, Game Room, Hiking?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Arapaho Forest Lodge | Hot Tub, Game Room, Hiking?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Arapaho Forest Lodge | Hot Tub, Game Room, Hiking located?

Located in the mountains, this Black Hawk cabin offering ski-in/ski-out access is 3.1 mi (5 km) from Thorn Lake and within 6 mi (10 km) of Golden Gate Canyon State Park and Manchester Lake. Gilpin County Library and Howlin Wind Brewing & Blending are also within 6 miles (10 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. 27 out of 27 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 27 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 27 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 27 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 27 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Angela S.

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

Great cabin!

We really enjoyed our time at this cabin. We loved the hot tub, the game room and the views. Lots of great memories made and we would love to return another time!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Isabel L.

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

colorado dreaming

i’ll be dreaming of this vacation for weeks to come. thank you for everything you did to make this cabin and our stay as wonderful as it was!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott K.

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

Family getaway

We came out to see my son and to have family together for a few days. The place was great and it was perfect to spend some time together and have some sledding and snow for our 6 year old. Great place to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tammy W.

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

Great Vacation

Such a wonderful and easy stay. The house was perfect for us and we were able to explore a lot of the area.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Emily S.

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

Just Delightful!

Our family enjoyed our short stay! The property is as expected and we loved the hot tub. Close to lots of fun activities in the area!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

David Y.

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

Fun stay

Great get away location and well appointed property. We would recommend and return again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Wes W.

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

Great spot - you'll have a blast

This is a great secluded spot to stay! The owner was very responsive. Eldora ski resort is about 25 mins away. Nederland is about 20 mins away, so you'll want to plan food/etc. But loved the isolation aspect of this place. We didn't see another human for the week while we were there at the house. Only thing I'll comment on for improvement was one of the beds was pretty hard and squeaky. If you are a light sleeper, you may want to take one of the other rooms. Overall, great experience, you'll love staying here.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Claudia T.

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

Mountain view

This cabin was super cute and cozy. Attention to details and host was very attentive.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

J D C.

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

Family Time

Nice place to share and make memories with family!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicole P.

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

Great Stay!!

Staying here with my family was great! Everything in the house was clean and ready for visitors. Perfect indoor and outdoor accomodations! We even saw some moose!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy A.

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

Great Thanksgiving

We had a great time during our stay! We had EVERYTHING we needed and more! The host was more than accommodating! We would stay here again in a heartbeat!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

David P.

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

Great getaway!

This place was great! My kids and I loved every moment. Great views and wilderness all around. The hot tub was popular with us as well. Would love to stay longer next time around.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chantel T.

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

Family trip to the Rockies

My family and I had the best time staying at the Arapaho lodge this summer. This home in the mountains is very well kept and the accommodations are perfect for a family retreat. The location is great to get in many hikes and sight seeing during your trip. We loved the adorable town of Nederland. After long days of sight seeing, relaxing in the hot tub is the best way to wind down while taking in the mountain air. Thank you Bridgette for the amazing stay. We would recommend this to any family looking to take a trip to the Rockies.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tobi B.

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

Peaceful

Couldnt of asked for a better place to stay. Place is very clean and equipped with everything you need and more. Cutest towns close by where you can find anything you need.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Morris B.

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

Super cute house

Very cutely decorated with tons of games and lots of things to do. Nederland is an interesting and fun town
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Lovely place!

We loved our stay. The hot tub and mountain views were great. I drank my coffee on the porch every morning - I could have lived on the porch! The place had all the baby gear we needed so really helped reduce our packing. Thank you!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

David P.

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

Get away weekend

Very nice cabin! The cabin was decorated very nice and had all the items needed for cooking. Loved the counter top ice machine. Hot tub was clean and working! Good WIFI and TV. Had a good time.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Family vacation

Property was very clean and had everything we could possibly have needed. The towel warmer was an added bonus! Very pet friendly. Host was very responsive prior to trip with very useful info. We didn’t need any contact with her during our stay. Highly recommend this property and the host!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Clayton C.

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

Perfect mountain getaway

This was a fantastic little mountain cabin in the woods but with modern conveniences like wi-fi, streaming, hot tub, gas grill, and an updated kitchen. Very peaceful area with only a few other nearby buildings and right on the edge of the national forest. Highly recommend hiking up the hill behind the property for a great view! Brigitte is an extremely friendly and helpful host and very easy to reach. She clearly puts a lot of time and effort into keeping the place clean and up to date and also had several supplies for us to use. Would absolutely stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Allyson M.

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

Perfect!

Perfect
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alex S.

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

Perfect Weekend Getaway with Friends

My friends and I had an awesome stay at Brigitte's cabin. Everything was excellent...we found everything we needed, there was plenty of space for us, and everything was clean. The hot tub was a favorite for us and was perfect in the crisp cold of winter. We utilized the kitchen a lot during our stay, and it was stocked with all the items we needed for cooking. The neighborhood around the cabin is quiet and beautiful, which provided a perfect setting for walks. I highly recommend checking this place out if you're looking for a comfortable, cozy, and convenient stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie C.

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

Amazing stay!

Our family absolutely loved staying at this cabin during our first trip to Colorado! The house was incredibly well-stocked and so clean, remote and quiet, yet easy driving distance to everything we wanted to see. The attention to detail is clear- from the decor to supplies to recommendations for places to go, restaurants, and more. We travel often, and the Arapaho Lodge is easily a top vacation home for families! The cherry on top is how dog-friendly the home is- our Golden Retriever is family to us, and after his second surgery to remove cancer, we just had to take our boy to the mountains! Thank you for the amazing experience!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Barb M.

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

Beautiful mountains and lovely cabin

We had a great time at this cabin plenty of space and spaces for people to go. The beds were comfy. It was great to have two nice bathrooms. The hot tub was an added, plus :-). Good location to go to both Nederland and Blackhawk We also took a drive to Vail, which is a lovely setting great places to eat and shop There are a lot of beautiful hiking trails, easy and harder around this area for everyone. a couple mornings we had a group of three bucks visiting our yard. That was fun to see. Seems like these guys hang out together. We had everything we needed. Thanks for everything.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa R.

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

Beautiful place to spend Christmas!

We had a wonderful stay! What a beautiful property. We really appreciated all of the effort Brigitte put into decorating the house. There was even a gift basket full of goodies when we arrived. Very unexpected and appreciated. Kitchen is very well appointed. We also loved the hot tub! We were lucky enough to arrive shortly after a snow storm so got to enjoy the property with plenty of snow! Brigitte is an amazing host. Will definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christine D.

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

We got 5 feet of snow!!

The most they had received in 10 years, said the locals. Yes we were there for the March 2024 storms and the forecast were accurate. Almost 61 inches measured in Nederland. We had a great time though and our teens learned what it really means to shovel snow. Briggite was accommodating, and kind the whole way through.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

About the host

Hosted by Brigitte Johnson

Host profile image
I am a mom of 5 teen/young adults and 5-7 dogs (depending on if we have foster puppies). Brice and I have been married for 29 years, have lived in the Rockies for 7 years and are in love with the mountain lifestyle. The slower pace, genuine people, and ability to be outdoors in the sunshine year round makes us happy! Our family loves to ski and snowboard at the local resorts, hike on the endless amounts of trails, and I recently took up mountain biking. We love people, animals, and serving others. We are honored to provide a remarkable space and experience for our guests.

Why they chose this property

This property is very unique with it's direct access to the Arapaho National Forest. The house itself is newly redone, beautifully decorated with an unusual amount of amenities to make your vacation the best you've ever had. While private and peaceful, the highway is just several miles down the road to give you easy access to the many activities in our area. This lodge and property will give you a true mountain experience in all it's beauty, peace and comfort.

What makes this property unique

The brand new 6 person hot tub and two decks give wonderful places to relax and enjoy the forest. Unique and comfortable decor is one of our specialties. We are also known for having unusually well stocked kitchens. We are very family friendly, providing loads of kid and baby items/toys/games and more.

My goal is that your stay is a true worry free, enjoyable time to make memories!

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests