Kokopelli’s Cave – Unique Places to Stay

Thank you for joining us in part one of our Unique Places to Stay series! Today we are featuring Kokopelli’s Cave, a very unique bed and breakfast carved into the side of a cliff!

We love finding unique places to stay when we travel, and this one has topped them all so far! Sure, when you think about spending the night in a cave, you probably think damp, cold, and uncomfortable, right? Well this cave was far from that! Think luxury caving! Think a house… but inside a cave! Kokopelli’s Cave is in Farmington, New Mexico, and was the the perfect end to our road trip.

The cave’s owners, Bruce and Marj Black, originally created the cave as an office for geologic consulting. But due to having to take the trek to actually get to the cave entrance and back each day, that idea was scrapped, and the cave was made into a guest house, and then a bed and breakfast.

The cave sits about 70 feet below the surface, carved into the Ojo Alamo Sandstone of a vertical cliff face. It is about 250 feet above the floor of the La Plata River Valley that it overlooks, making for spectacular views. Can you spot the entrance to the cave in the photo below? You will see the entrance carved into the sandstone, and then to the left of the entrance, another hole carved into the cliff, which is the balcony off the bedroom.

Here’s a closer photograph. Do you see it now?

The Trek

In order to get to the cave, you must park at the top of the cliff and take a little trek down to the cave entrance. It can be a little precarious, but there are metal railings, and some steps to make it easier. It is quite safe. We had our almost two and three year old with us, and we never felt like they were in any danger as long as we were holding their hand. The manager of the cave leads you down to the entrance the first time, shows you around the cave, and tells you all about it and its history.

When staying here, I recommend packing light, as you don’t want to be having to take multiple treks back and forth up to your vehicle to carry all of your luggage in. Trust me, one time down is enough at a time!

Inside the Cave

Inside, the cave was just like being in a house! But with rock walls and ceiling. There was a living room, dining area, full kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. There was even a washer and dryer! It had all of the amenities of home as well. Plus it was comfortable! The temperature inside the cave stays 68-73 degrees Fahrenheit year round.

There was a television set in the living room, with drawers full of VHS movies. We chose to watch The Flinstones. I mean, we were staying in a cave after all!

Inside the cave there was a replica of a Native American Kiva. A Kiva is a room used by Puebloans for religious rituals and political meetings.

The cave boasted a full sized kitchen, stocked with dishes, pots, pans, and utensils. A refrigerator was stocked with milk, juice, and other necessities, while the counter had baskets of cereal, pastries, and coffee for breakfast. We were also given a complimentary bottle of wine!

We brought with us our own groceries, and cooked dinner each night. There was a gas grill on the porch, so grilling steaks while watching the sunset was perfect!

The bedroom was comfortable. It had doors that led to a second balcony with chairs to sit outside and relax.

The bathroom was pretty cool. It had a waterfall shower that was so refreshing!

Outside the Cave

I already mentioned the gas grill on the patio, but I highly recommend taking advantage of it! The views from the balcony are incredible, and the cave entrance faces the perfect direction for an incredible sunset!

Be prepared for visitors while staying at the cave also! Chipmunks and squirrels will come to the patio looking for food, and our first night there we even saw a ring-tailed cat outside the front door! Hummingbirds drop in at the feeder on the porch as well. There is a bin with food inside the front door to leave out on the porch for the critters. The kiddos had fun watching them through the glass.

A short stair climb from the entrance of the cave is a large outdoor sitting area. This was the perfect place to take a glass of wine and watch the magnificent sunset!

The Rock Collection

In addition to a guest book, it is encouraged to find a rock on the property and decorate it to leave in the cave for future visitors to see. There were decorated rocks everywhere in the cave! It was fun reading some of them.

Here is our rock decorated with our camper van that accompanied us on this road trip.

The Details

The inside of the cave was carefully decorated and we loved all of the details incorporating the little Kokopelli guy.

Things To Do

While staying at Kokopelli’s Cave, we took a day trip to Mesa Verde National Park, which was about an hour and 20 minute drive from the cave. Four Corners Monument is also about an hour and 10 minutes away. The area is rich with history and culture, so there is plenty to do and see!

Leaving the Cave

When leaving, don’t forget to ring the bell, signaling that you had an awesome stay! If you are interested in staying at Kokopelli’s Cave, you can learn more here: Kokopelli’s Cave Bed and Breakfast.

I would love to hear about some of the unique places you have stayed! Tell me all about them in the comments below!