Tomcat Ranch Guesthouse-Private 313acres -5 fishing lakes-abuts national forest

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Entire home

Wild roses line our PRIVATE stocked fishing pond --- everybody catches dinner

Early season snow reflecting on the ranch pond

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

3 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 6185.8 sq m

Popular amenities

Parking available
Pet-friendly
Dryer
Barbecue grill
Washer
Fireplace

Explore the area

Buena Vista, CO

Buena Vista River Park
‪14 min drive‬
Cottonwood Hot Springs
‪22 min drive‬
Bear Lake
‪29 min drive‬
Leadville, CO (LXV-Lake County)
‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Welcome to the Tomcat Ranch, your new private vacation rental home nestled away in the Heart of the Rockies. Recreate and recharge your body and soul with spectacular views of two of Colorado’s tallest peaks: Mt. Columbia and Mt. Harvard. This stand-out guest property, shared with the owner’s home provides you with ultimate quiet and privacy.

Enjoy direct access to a vast mountain retreat that sits on 300+ acres of private land forested with Aspen and Ponderosa. Walk out your front door right into San Isabel National Forest. Hike Mt. Harvard and Mt. Columbia without driving anywhere. Enjoy the solitude of the many alpine trails as you stroll or snowshoe past a bubbling creek. And with five lakes on the property, you might catch a fish for dinner!

Head into historic Buena Vista, Colorado, about 20 minutes away, to visit the many galleries, shops, and restaurants. Looking for world-class fishing, rafting, or kayaking? The gold medal waters of the Arkansas River are within walking distance. The Tomcat Ranch is a short drive to Aspen, Vail, Summit County, and only two hours to Denver or Colorado Springs.

The guest house features three large bedrooms, one full and one half bathroom, a well-stocked kitchen, a dining room, and an ample yet cozy great room with a wood-burning fireplace and grand views of the Collegiate Peaks. We are pet friendly and provide an outdoor kennel, but pets must be approved before arrival. Please do not leave pets unattended in the house. We observe a 4 night minimum during the holidays. Four-wheel or all-wheel drive is recommended for winter access. Wi-fi TV and Starlink high speed internet included.

Property manager

Mike Blitstein

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

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Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 28

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)

Check with host if you bring more then 1 pet

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Be sure to tell us a little about yourselves. What brings you to the area, how many people are coming to stay and their ages?

Sign and return rental agreement in order to finalize booking.

Photo ID required at time of booking.

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

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 deadlock

About the area

Buena Vista

Located in Buena Vista, this holiday home is in a rural area. Browns Canyon National Monument and St. Elmo are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at San Isabel National Forest and Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Buena Vista, CO

What's nearby

Arkansas River - 4 min drive - 2.9 km
Buena Vista River Park - 14 min drive - 14.6 km
Cottonwood Hot Springs - 22 min drive - 23.0 km
Bear Lake - 29 min drive - 13.4 km
Mt. Princeton - 50 min drive - 32.3 km

Getting around

Gunnison, CO (GUC-Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional) - 102 min drive

Restaurants

‪Jumpin Good Goat Dairy - ‬9 min drive
‪Pizza Works - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Tomcat Ranch Guesthouse-Private 313acres -5 fishing lakes-abuts national forest pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at Tomcat Ranch Guesthouse-Private 313acres -5 fishing lakes-abuts national forest?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Tomcat Ranch Guesthouse-Private 313acres -5 fishing lakes-abuts national forest?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Tomcat Ranch Guesthouse-Private 313acres -5 fishing lakes-abuts national forest located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of San Isabel National Forest and Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. Arkansas River is 1.8 mi (2.8 km) away.

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Kristina V.

15 Nov 2024

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

Great fall weekend getaway

Beautiful views, fun fishing and Mike was a wonderful host!

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rick H.

23 Oct 2024

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

Great secluded location with great hiking/views

Great spot to get away and still very accessible. Mike was a great host and we loved our tour of the property.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott P.

3 Sept 2024

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

Fishing Trip

This was a great location with a great host and we enjoyed our stay very much.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele G.

29 July 2023

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

Amazing view!

This home was an wonderful place to enjoy amazing Mountain Views! Great location to enjoy both Buena Vista and Twin Lakes. Mike was a great host.

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dale W.

18 July 2023

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

Great Location!

Property was beautiful the views were outstanding. Fishing pond was great fun (caught lots of trout). Host was always available when needed and very helpful. The home itself is dated but we weren't in Colorado to stay inside a house we were there to fish and enjoy the outdoors. This place was perfect for our needs! We plan on going back next year.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

14 Aug 2023

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

Trip with grandsons

We had a wonderful stay. Mike was an amazing host. He took us on a tour of his 300 acre ranch and told us the history of the property. He stopped by occasionally to make sure we didn't need anything. The house was great and we enjoyed a bonfire and watching the shooting stars.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Whit H.

24 June 2024

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

Great Week at Tomcat Ranch

We had a really fun week at the Tomcat Ranch and guest house. Mike (the owner) is a very cool guy and made sure we had everything we needed and also gave us a great tour of the entire ranch which is really beautiful. The house was comfortable and plenty spacious for our family of 4. We spent most of our time out on the ranch fishing (even our 18yr old daughter enjoyed) or exploring in and around Buena Vista which we all loved as well. Took lots of hikes and had some really good meals in town. There are 5 ponds on the ranch property, we caught (and released of course) several nice brookies. It was peaceful and quiet at the property - yet only about 15 minutes to town from the ranch. We will be back for another stay.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Allen L., Dibble, Oklahoma, USA

29 June 2023

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

Great mountain view

The guest house was great and the ranch was teriffic. Mike is a wonderful host. He gave me a tour immediately after I arrived and invited me to drive anywhere on the property I wanted to go. I got to see elk during the tour and saw the fishing ponds that were available. The only down side to my visit was that i had a bout with altitude sickness and didn't get to do any fishing, not the fault of the ranch. We enjoyed several evenings with a fire in the fire pit. It was great, Mike even called me after I got home to see how I was doing. Thanks again Mike.

Stayed 12 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Justin W.

28 Oct 2024

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

Astounding!

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jalynn J., Parker, CO USA

1 Nov 2022

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

Amazing Tomcat Guest House Retreat

Following the clear and concise directions, we made it to the property just after dark. Upon arrival, the friendly property manager met us to go over the amenities and answer any questions. The guest house is cute, cozy and even has a wood burning fireplace. The home has floor to vaulted ceiling windows with a beautiful view of the Collegiate Peaks where I love watching the sunrise while having my coffee. My husband and teenage boys spent their time fishing in the nearby pond and caught at least 25 fish, so it was time well spent for them. My daughter and I enjoyed walking around the vast wooded acreage and even found a treehouse! We also loved the peddle boat and the learning to row in the pond. Our evenings were spent playing board games and one night we did built a fire. The home has strong wifi and full satellite/streaming TVs but we chose this time to unplug as a family. The owner was available as needed, however; we were free to explore and enjoy this amazing location. The views are unbeatable and our time together memorable. We will most certainly be back!

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

natalie c., CASTLE ROCK

9 Oct 2022

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

Best Views!! Best hospitality I have ever received!!!

The location was so beautiful every morning we had a great sunrise and at night a great sunset. The colors (reds, orange and yellow) across the tree lines were outstanding. The ponds were so close and the creek was so close you could hear the water running. The large acreage made it fun for running and playing with our dog., Tucker. The house is very comfortable and is very relaxing. I could see myself working remotely from this location, great time here, and we had great weather. Mike (owner) was so pleasant and he ensured that we were taken care of during our 5 day stay. We had an awesome outside fire (great firepit) where we made our smores. In the evening inside the house we had a great fireplace that put so much atmosphere of comfort in the house. I recommend this site to anyone who is looking for quite, beautiful landscape, comfortable house and great way to unwind and destress. Thank Mike we will see you next year.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

5 Oct 2022

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

Beautiful views in relative isolation

Just what we were looking for. We spent a week with our daughter, son-in-law, and 3 year old granddaughter. Plenty of room in the house. We could bask in the mountain views with our coffee, enjoy a nice fire pit, and catch way more stars than I've seen in a long time. Our granddaughter loved the goat farm a few minutes down the road. The house is about 10 minutes from the town for supplies. Leadville, Independence Pass, and Salida are all relatively close for exploring. The property is huge and borders the national forest. Mike, the host, has a house further up the slope. He was available if needed, but otherwise we had the place to ourselves.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Terry H.

24 Aug 2022

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

Great views

Mike was great. Greeted us when we got there. We loved the views. Would go again

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christian K.

31 July 2022

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

Great location and beautiful property

Property was very picturesque...great views from every direction. It's an easy shot to BV for shopping and restaurants. Not far from a few really good access points on the Ark for fishing as well as some of the alpine lakes we fished. The ponds on the property are full of fish and would be a great place for kids or beginners, they also make a nice after-dinner diversion for experienced anglers as well. Owner is super friendly and lives in a house a short distance away on the property...he made us feel welcome and comfortable exploring his beautiful land...which connects to the national forest. Beds were very comfortable, house was very clean. We will likely be back!

Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bobbiejo S.

8 July 2022

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

Great stay

The property was beautiful and offered something for every one. Wi-fi held up great with all five of us using for gaming.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dana D., Arizona

24 June 2022

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

Overall 5-stars

The location is great and the view is fabulous! Buena Vista - 8 miles away - is a fun small town, with more good restaurants than such a small town should have. Mike is very kind and helpful. The house itself is a bit outdated, but it was extremely clean when we arrived. My only complaint is that the kitchen supplies are worn out. If you plan to cook you might want to bring your own knives and a good pan at a minimum.

Stayed 12 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

jaime C.

31 May 2022

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

stellar

Excellent stay. Mike was a fantastic host and home is really lovely with big windows looking out into the mountains. Super private and the property is literally a private wilderness. We fished, biked, and hiked right out the front door and just a few minutes from downtown Buena Vista.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Randall H.

13 May 2022

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

Z zzz

Our second stay at Tomcat Ranch Guest House. Once again had a great time. Mike is a consummate host and makes sure you have everything you need. His ponds are loaded with fairly easy to catch brook trout from 5-12”. Tons of fun on a 4 wt fly rod. Much to do in the area. We love BV. We will return again I’m sure. Randy and Pat Huss

Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

John N.

2 May 2022

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

Great place

This was a wonderful property with a great host. We will definitely be back. Awesome property to hike and relax.

Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Beverly D.

13 Mar 2022

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

CHARGER

We had such a wonderful time at Mike's property. The house was very comfortable and set in the middle of 300 acres of beauty. Every morning we sat in the living room looking out from a huge window watching the sun rise (well not every morning). Mike, the host, was just great and accessible at all times, and we fell in love with his dog, Charger.

Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark R.

28 Dec 2021

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

Outstanding

Just a wonderful place to stay. Close to Buena Vista, Salina, Leadville. Many things to do. We skied Copper Mtn. ,Breckinridge , and Cooper ski resort all while staying here, easy drive to each. Mike the host/owner is just the best ever. Quick to help with anything. Always checking on you to make sure things are going well. Great property for hiking. We had many fun walks in the snow Christmas week. Got lots of snow Christmas Eve. and Christmas Day. Could not have been a better trip . Cannot wait to go back. Thanks Mike a special place.

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

matt A.

11 Oct 2021

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

Awesome vacation

Trip was awesome. Property is outstanding. Guest house is clean, comfortable and sooo convenient to so many great places. Hiking the property and the surrounding area was exceptional. Stars at night were second to none. Would de stay again

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

tim j.

15 Sept 2021

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

Perfect place for large family, group

On a wonderful property where you can hike wherever and whenever you like

Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mark R.

23 July 2021

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

Wonderful

What a beautiful, peaceful place. Our stay at this home could not have been better. Everything we needed. Close proximity to hiking ( hike the collegiate peaks ), biking , fishing , rafting . Close to the towns of Buena Vista, Salida , Leadville. We enjoyed visiting each town. Great restaurants. Mike the owner was prompt to anything we needed. He is such a pleasant person to be around. What a great place for a dog. Walk right out the door on many trails. Even a dog kennel out back. Mike thank you for allowing pets. That is always our first priority when booking a VRBO home. Can’t wait to go back. We already have the place booked for a second trip. Thank you

Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Robbin L., Centennial, CO

18 July 2021

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

Spectacular location, great views & very comfortable house

Everything about this place was great. Mike was alway there to help and knowledgeable in what was going on in town. Hiked every day and never went the same way twice. Location was beautiful and the views from the deck were spectacular!

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

About the host

Hosted by Mike Blitstein

My husband and I live on the Tomcat Ranch with our three children, 3 dogs, and more cats than we can count! We agree that it's been a beautiful place to raise a family and love the connection we feel to the mountains and the wildlife. We love watching the hummingbirds swarm the feeder in the summer. The kids have grown up fishing in the lakes. We've hiked all over the property and into the mountains. We've watched herds of elk roam the ranch in the winter, with their calves. We've admired the beauty of the mountains -- from the snow-covered peaks of winter to the wildflower-filled valleys of summer. This is a beautiful spot!

Why they chose this property

In 1995, we visited this part of Colorado on a vacation and fell in love with the beauty of the area and the friendly people who live here. We bought a home and moved here the following year.

What makes this property unique

We love to go out for a hike around the ranch in the evening. The kids have used this as an opportunity to look for wildlife. In the summer, we'll pick wild raspberries or maybe the kids will spend some time fishing in the lakes. We've also done many, many hikes into the National Forest and up Mt. Harvard and Mt. Columbia. It's wonderful to be able to head out our back gate and be right in the National Forest.

Languages:

English

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Tomcat Ranch Guesthouse-Private 313acres -5 fishing lakes-abuts national forest

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

About this property