Catbird Seat Casita, Your Cozy Red Rock Retreat in the Jemez Mountains

If this is your first visit to the Jemez Valley, prepare to be enchanted! We are eager to share our home and this very special place with you. With saltillo tiles, rustic vigas, distinctive architecture, and captivating, sun-drenched views of the red rock mountains, this charming space is the perfect Southwestern sanctuary for your stay.

The Space

Our kitchen is stocked with items to match your every need, including cookware, tableware, cutlery, gas range, full-size fridge with freezer, microwave, programmable drip coffeemaker, Instant Pot, toaster, blender, oils, spices, and other essentials to make cooking easy. Please note that there is no dishwasher. Our handsome sunken living room features a plush velvet sofa, French doors leading out to a back patio, dining area for four, and a potbelly propane fireplace with remote control thermostat. Kick back in our cozy reading nook with books from our library or enjoy one of our vintage board games.

The bathroom is located on the first floor; although it is small, it has everything you need, including shower and full-size tub, as well as a washing machine that you’re welcome to use. Upstairs are two bedrooms. The master bedroom features a queen-size, remote-control adjustable bed, high thread count sheets, a cozy duvet, alarm clock, and a white noise sound machine. An adjacent alcove, with easy chair and rustic desk looking out to Guadalupe Mesa, provides you with a comfortable workspace. The second bedroom features a beautiful Indonesian-style daybed with twin-size mattress. Both bedrooms open onto a second-story balcony with breathtaking views of the southern Jemez Valley. This is the perfect space to enjoy morning yoga, take in a spectacular sunset, or stargaze up at the Milky Way. The rustic covered front porch, with a boho-styled daybed sheltered in the shade, is a favorite spot to enjoy coffee with the hummingbirds or take an afternoon siesta. Nearby Adirondack rocking chairs and side table, with direct line of sight to Mesa de Las Casas, provide the perfect setting for a romantic dinner in the evenings.

The casita sits on a delightful 3-acre property. A short walking trail winds past flowering cacti and natural boulders to a wooden bench, leading to a rock staircase ascending the side of the mesa and culminating in a spot overlooking the valley. On the grounds, you’ll encounter the colorful birdsong of piñon jays, juniper titmice, canyon wrens, Gambel’s quail, swallows, flycatchers, bluebirds, nighthawks, and the occasional roadrunner. Beyond the property, Jemez Valley is home to some extraordinary hiking trails, extending from the San Ysidro Trials, with their striking slick-rock formations and amazing mountain-biking terrain, to the lush beauty of the East Fork Trail in the foothills of the Valles Caldera. Only minutes from the house is Guadalupe Mesa, whose challenging switchbacks lead to historical ruins connected to the legacy of Jemez Pueblo as well as to stunning, panoramic views. We offer a comprehensive guidebook to our guests, which gives additional information about the many places we find so captivating in the area. Whether enjoying the Ojito Wilderness or the Santa Fe National Forest nearby, or taking a scenic drive to Chaco Culture National Historic Park or Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, there is plenty to explore.

Guest Access

The host lives on the property in a separate outbuilding and is available to help with any questions or concerns you may have. However, the casita is fully private, with private entrance and no shared or overlapping living spaces. The front porch, back patio, upper balcony, and grounds are yours to enjoy. The only time you might see your host is a chance meeting in the driveway; we absolutely respect your privacy and want you to have a relaxing and tranquil visit. This rental unit can accommodate up to three people total. No additional guests or visitors are permitted.

Other Things to Note

This is our home which we enjoy sharing with guests who are looking to discover the beauty of the Jemez. We ask that guests treat it like their own. We offer self check-in and check-out with a lock box containing a key to the house. The lock box code will be provided after your reservation is complete. As this is a rural, scenic area, a rental car or other vehicle is strongly recommended for your stay. There is room for parking for up to two vehicles in the driveway immediately adjacent to the house.

This is a “dark sky” area with no street lights, which is part of what makes the area perfect for star-gazing. That said, if you choose to go for a nighttime stroll, please bring additional light with you. We have flashlights and headlamps on the premises that you can borrow. If you will be arriving after dark, please let us know so that we may leave lights on for you.

Please note that our casita is not suitable for young children. The architecture of the house is such that there is an exposed ledge on the first floor that overlooks the adjacent, sunken living room. Additionally, the curved staircase means that the stairs leading up to the second floor can be more difficult to navigate than other types of stairs. Furthermore, although no dangerous animals are specifically maintained on the property, there are occasional sightings of mountain lions, bears, coyotes, and rattlesnakes in the vicinity of the Jemez Valley. Please exercise caution around wildlife. Booking with us is an acknowledgement of these safety considerations.