Lodging at Deer Hill Expeditions

Mesa Verde Writers Conference

Deer Hill’s Basecamp is located on 130 acres of meadowland and pinion-juniper forest at the base of Menefee Mountain in the Mancos River Valley. Located two miles south of the charming Mancos, CO, the Mancos Valley has a long tradition of agriculture kept alive today in multigenerational ranches and small organic farms.  For half of the year Deer Hill Expeditions is a fully operational summer camp and outdoor program for youth, while during the off season our facilities are used for retreats and other rentals.

Lodging Options

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  • Loft
  • TheLoftBedroom
  • kitchen in Deer Hill's new guest building
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The Loft

The Loft is Deer Hill’s premier lodging option. Located on the second floor of a building erected in 2015, The Loft includes 6 bedrooms, each with one or two twin beds, 4 bathrooms, a central living room area, dining area, and an expansive kitchen including a full-sized refrigerator and range, microwave, coffee maker, and plenty of counter space to prepare meals. Guests enter The Loft by ascending a staircase with handcrafted rails made of repurposed steel to a porch with views of Mesa Verde, Deer Hill’s pond, and the sunset over the Mancos Valley.

  • $250.00 for 3 nights.
  • March 1st – March 4th
  • If you would like to book an extra night, just let us know.
  • Bunk room in one of the participant cabins
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Cabin Stay or Camping on Property

Tucked amongst the piñon and juniper trees, these cabins provide the classic “camp experience” for guests. Each cabin has an open floor plan, with bunkbeds along the perimeter.  Guests use the neighboring bathrooms in the shower house and will have access to the communal kitchen in the staff cabin.  Be prepared to bring your own bedding or sleeping bag if you choose this option!

Additionally, there’s plenty of car camping space on the property.

  • $60.00 for 3 nights.
  • March 1st – March 4th
  • If you would like to book an extra night, just let us know.
Solar array on the roof of the Meeting Place

Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is a highly held value at Deer Hill, and is considered at each decision point. Vegetables are grown organically at Basecamp to supplement the meals we serve, and food waste is composted and returned to that garden. The central buildings were constructed in a passive solar design, and all of Basecamp is completely powered by the solar panels installed on the roof of the Meeting Place, The Loft and the Deer Hill Store. Additionally, being situated right where we lead our expeditions, we keep our fossil fuel consumption down, and drive times to a minimum for our experiential education programs.

In community development terms, sustainability also includes economic and social factors. In addition to the ways that Deer Hill approaches environmental sustainability, it also makes a significant contribution to the local economy, and the influx of Field Staff from all over the country adds social value to the Mancos Valley by connecting this sequestered community with people from all over the country and world.