Our 2024 calendar is now fully open and bookable!
You will feel right at home in this 6 bedroom/3 bath luxurious, secluded hand-hewn log home furnished in beautiful lodge décor with a spacious 3-floor plan for up to 12 people. Nestled on a strip of private land between Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho Forest, North Star Lodge offers a peaceful retreat with spectacular views of Mount Baldy and the Never Summer mountain range.
Located on Sun Valley Lake, a private 22-acre lake where your family will enjoy non-motorized water sports, the use of 2 kayaks and 2 SUPS, a private dock, and an expansive deck over-looking the lake. Relax in the hot tub after a day of out-door pursuits to enjoy the wonder of the stars above or a surprise visit by the many moose that live here. The outdoor fire-place on the deck and separate outdoor fire-pit closer to the water allow for endless hours of s’mores and story-telling, while the gas Weber BBQ grill (propane provided) makes for easy meal prep and the feeding of your crew at the adjacent long porch table. Slip away to enjoy a quiet moment on any of the outdoor lounge chairs, rocking chairs, and Adirondack chairs, and hammocks, which are scattered around the property. Moose, elk, deer, fox, osprey, beaver, bald eagles, hummingbirds, and stellar jay birds are frequent visitors on the property.
The log interior with pine paneling creates a rustic simplicity that reconnects you to the natural setting around you and reminds you to slow down. The interior layout is perfect for 2-3 families and allows for countless ways to congregate as a group or provides opportunities to slip away for some quiet, reading time with a bookcase full of books and trail guides of the area. The floor to ceiling stone fireplace (with fire wood provided) on the main floor creates a cozy space to kick back and connect. Board games, puzzles, as well as corn hole and badminton are available for your pleasure. Two flat screen TV areas (main floor and 1st floor) with satellite and DVD players and many family movies, provide opportunities for different interests, while the foosball and air hockey table (both on the 1st floor) nurture a little competitive fun.
The main floor with a vaulted 30’ ceiling provides access to the large deck over the lake as well as a covered front porch. The side door allows a separate entry to the enclosed mudroom with two sets of new washer/dryers. The 1st floor is a walkout basement with direct access to the lake.
The top floor overlooks the main floor and has two bedrooms (king bed in one and bunk bed, with full bed below and twin above, in the other). A study with desk, leather reading chair/ottoman and books offer a quiet escape. The bathroom has a shower/tub and double sinks.
The main floor offers a kitchen with everything you could want from home including new stainless steel appliances (dishwasher, fridge, and gas stove top, and electric oven), several small appliances, a large table to host your guests plus a separate countertop for two. Common spices, oils, and vinegars are provided. The main floor bathroom offers a steam shower to host several people, which is connected to a half bath.
The 1st floor provides 4 bedrooms each with a queen bed, as well as bathroom with shower/tub and double sinks. The house is surprisingly quiet for the number of people it can host.
All beds are supplied with 600 thread count sheets, flannel duvet covers, down duvet inserts, down pillows, and lighter coverings for the spring and summer. Luxurious towel sets and hot tub towels are provided for each guest. Each bedroom has blinds, plus blackout curtains for a restful sleep, as well as a ceiling fan, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector (batteries replaced annually). Air conditioning is unnecessary in the mountains as temperatures fluctuate significantly. In the winter, radiant heated floors throughout the house keep the house toasty warm. The house and hot tub are professionally cleaned after each rental.
North Star Lodge is the perfect launching point for all seasonal adventures. It is within walking distance to both the entrance to Arapaho Forest, Rocky Mountain National Park trails, lakes, and forests, as well as the north fork of the Colorado River.
In the summer, enjoy fly-fishing the Colorado River, renting ATVs to cruise the trails of Arapaho Forest, and hiking the cherished trails of RMPC. Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake Road, and Old Fall River Road are favorites.
A short drive takes you to Grand Lake’s 18-hole golf course & the world’s highest registered yacht club. Rent paddle boards, sail boats, kayaks, motorized boats and enjoy the day on Grand Lake.
The Winding River Resort campground is within walking distance from North Star Lodge and in the summer offers horseback riding, horse drawn hayrides, a petting zoo, square dancing, chuck wagon meals, a small children’s playground, basketball courts, a small general store, and cowboy church, to name a few.
In the winter, snowmobiling provides adventures through Arapaho Forest with Grand Lake earning the title “Snowmobile Capital of Colorado” because of its access from town to Colorado’s largest network of groomed snowmobile trails. Park your snowmobile on our driveway and ride into Arapaho Forest or even right into town.
Enjoy snow shoe, classic and skate skiing trails at the Grand Lake Nordic Center. Enjoy world-class down-hill skiing at Granby Ranch (30 mins), Winter Park (45 mins) or Steamboat Springs (2hrs).
The charming, old-western town of Grand Lake is roughly 4 miles away. Boasting great restaurants, artisan shops, live music in the park, plus a small grocery market, Grand Lake amenities make it easy to settle into your vacation to truly relax. Grand Lake itself offers a small beach and boardwalk with many grassy picnic spots. A well-respected repertory theatre also offers summer theatre and musical productions for the whole family.
ATV and snowmobile rentals at the opening of Arapaho Forest and XC ski trails within Rocky Mountain National Forest, as well as a short drive to Grand Lake Nordic Center for XC skiing/tubing run, North Star Lodge offers countless opportunities to get outdoors and reconnect as a family.
Update: In the fall of 2020, the East Troublesome Fire tore through Grand County and burned almost 200,000 acres by the time heroic firefighters brought it to full containment. Although it was directly in the path of the fire, North Star Lodge and property were spared with minimal damage suffered and with its trees still standing. Many of the surrounding properties in the area were badly damaged, but in this strong mountain community, the rebuilding process began swiftly and robustly. While the fire did alter the landscape, it has not diminished its rugged beauty and is still the magical setting that it has always been.
Understandably there are many questions as to what you might expect when visiting North Star Lodge. The Troublesome Fire came over Arapaho Forest, into Sun Valley Lake / Kawuneeche Valley and into Rocky Mountain National Park leaving significant changes to the area, including the loss of many cabins and surrounding trees. Since the fire, almost all properties/cabins have been cleaned up, but there are still many burnt trees that remain standing. Just like a tornado, the forest fire was indiscriminate, and there remain areas and properties that were largely unaffected with North Star and a smattering of properties being spared. The property on north side of North Star, across from North Star to the north, and the property opposite North Star across the lake are completely intact, but most cabins to the south of North Star are gone including our immediate neighbors on the south side. What remains now is an impressively open vista of Sun Valley Lake, Mount Baldy, the Never Summer Mountain range, and the Rocky Mountains.
What was incredible to witness this past summer 2021 was the return of grass, trees, healthy vegetation, and so many moose! We celebrate with our neighbors who have begun the rebuilding process.
North Star has been rented back to back since March 2021 with guests thoroughly enjoying their stays despite the impact on the land.
I am completely transparent! Before I accept your booking, I will make sure you are comfortable knowing the land experienced damage from the fire. I want you to have a wonderful vacation and enjoy using North Star as the perfect launching off point for your adventures!
There is no question that North Star Lodge is still a very special home in a very special part of Colorado, and we look forward to welcoming you for adventures!
Details:
Please note that the minimum age requirement to rent this home is 25. Smoking or vaping of any kind is prohibited and sadly, pets are not allowed due to owner allergies.
MLK, President’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th & Labor Day wknds are a min 3 night stay (Fri/Sat/Sun).
No arrivals or departures on Thanksgiving or Dec 25. Thanksgiving is a min Thursday-Sunday stay. Christmas & New Year's are both a min 4 night stay.
SUMMER GUESTS
For 2-wk stays, the regular cleaning price is $300, plus an hourly rate of $55hr, if extra time is required.
Please note: North Star Lodge is located in Grand Lake, Colorado and is NOT located in Estes Park, which is (2-4+ hrs drive summer/winter time). North Star Lodge is located at the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Nearest commercial airport: Denver International Airport (134 miles)/ roughly 2.5 hrs drive.
We look forward to hosting you and please reach out with any questions!
