Whether you love the idea of snow glistening atop desert dunes or would rather escape somewhere warm during the wintery months, there’s a desert home just waiting for your arrival.
After a canceled May 2020 trip to Santa Fe that was supposed to be all about White Sands, hot springs, and visiting Georgia O’Keeffe’s Abiquiu home, I’ve had a dramatic desert getaway on the brain. While the American Southwest has some of the most striking landscapes in the country, there are also deserts worth exploring in Wyoming and even Oregon, and there’s a desert Airbnb for every solo traveler, spirited group, and budget. Fuel your desert daydreams or actually book your next vacation with inspiration from our ultimate list of desert homes to rent in winter, organized state by state.
Oregon
Juniper Ridge Cottage
Location: Prineville, Oregon
Price per night: $64 per night
Accommodations: 4 guests, 2-bed studio, 1 bath
The Juniper Ridge Cottage invites you to explore Oregon’s High Desert, also known as the Oregon Outback and the Great Sandy Desert. Get back to nature with just the amenities you need — a kitchenette and a comfy king-size bed (plus sleeper sofa) indoors and a firepit and grill outside if you’re up for braving the winter chill. Superhost Barbara notes that you can expect breathtaking desert sunsets. Enjoy a hot coffee from the Keurig any time and snuggle up with one of the cottages over 120 DVDs once you’ve had your fill of fresh air.
Off Grid Relaxation And Inside Sauna
Location: Bend, Oregon
Price per night: $79 per night
Accommodations: 4 guests, 2-bed studio, 1/2 bath
Inside sauna? Yes, please. This rustic cabin at the base of Pine Mountain is situated on 5 acres of Oregon High Desert. In addition to being an ideal no-frills home base for exploring the best things to do in Bend, you can fire up the sauna, relax in the outdoor clawfoot tub, or watch as paragliders make their descents. Host Sherri recommends a visit to University of Oregon’s astronomical Pine Mountain Observatory, too.
Christmas Valley High Desert Base Camp
Location: Christmas Valley, Oregon
Price per night: $83 per night
Accommodations: 5 guests, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
South of Bend but still in Oregon’s High Desert, you and yours can check into this rental amongst the high desert sage. The decor is quaint and the house is fully equipped for staying in and getting cozy, with a well-appointed kitchen (think a Crock-Pot, toaster, and coffee pot), a wood stove, a fireplace, and a collection of DVDs and books. Wake up early and watch the desert unfold around you. Superhost Troy notes that jackrabbit and cottontail “mow” the lawn, so be prepared for some High Desert wildlife sightings!
California
Darwin-Buck’s Cabin Under The High Desert Stars
Location: Darwin, California
Price per night: $80 per night
Accommodations: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Weclome to Darwin, a tiny town in California’s Inyo County. If you want a quintessential desert experience, this is it. You’ll be approximately 30 minutes outside of Death Valley National Park with the desert and the unique charms of Darwin, which include a community garden, art installations, and nods to the mining town’s past, surrounding you. Superhost Jody includes fabulous detail about her space in the Airbnb listing. The furnishings and decor say Wild West, but upgrades like a wheelchair-friendly shower and radiant heating under the floors promise a comfortable stay for anyone who checks in for the expansive desert views.
Oeste Home
Location: Morongo Valley, California
Price per night: $579 per night
Accommodations: 8 guests, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath
So far, our list has featured some very reasonably priced desert getaways. But maybe you’re looking to do something over-the-top, like renting a desert retreat. The Oeste Home in Morongo Valley, approximately 20 minutes north of Palm Springs, fits the bill. This stunning getaway, featured in Domino magazine, manages to combine a midcentury modern aesthetic with desert romance. Relish in all the thoughtful touches, prepare a big meal in the chef-worthy kitchen, and get to know the desert from the bathtub under the stars.
Wild Spirit Cabin
Location: Landers, California
Price per night: $144 per night
Accommodations: 3 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Further north of Palm Springs and Morongo Valley is the equally design-centric Wild Sprit Cabin. You’ll take a dirt road in and find your new home away from home is surrounded by desert washes and big, blue skies. Swing in the hammocks, lounge in the hot tub, and watch out for tortoises! Superhost Meri says they call this part of the desert home, too.
House Near Joshua Tree/Pioneer Town
Location: Yucca Valley, California
Price per night: $111 per night
Accommodations: 6 guests, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
If your dream of a desert vacation involves visiting Joshua Tree National Park, this is the perfect place to say. While Oeste Home and Wild Spirit Cabin aren’t far from the national park, this lovely desert home, which has more room for you and your traveling companions, is our closest pick. It also has gorgeous outdoor living spaces — and succulents both inside and out that will have you feel like you’re living in an enchanted garden.
Nevada
Desert Gold Death Valley House
Location: Beatty, Nevada
Price per night: $500 per night
Accommodations: 6 guests, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Across the border, just north of Beatty, Nevada (which is 10 minutes east of Death Valley National Park, or a 2-hour drive from Las Vegas), you’ll find the unparalleled Desert Gold Death Valley house, featured in the New York Times an Audi commercial. The impeccably appointed home seems to hover above the desert and below the stars. Enjoy views that appear almost out of this world and knowing you’ve checked into the most exclusive desert home on our list.
Wild West #1
Location: Beatty, Nevada
Price per night: $129 per night
Accommodations: 6 guests, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
For a less over-the-top desert stay, enjoy Death Valley Get Away Cabin Wild West #1 in Beatty proper. Sit around the fire pit for cozy stargazing, or on the porch with your morning cup of joe. This compact cabin has everything you need for a comfortable and memorable stay, including views of rugged Beatty Mountain just across the street.
Designed To Death
Location: Beatty, Nevada
Price per night: $273 per night
Accommodations: 8 guests, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Our final Beatty pick, Designed To Death is all luxury and desert charm. Fix a meal in the big kitchen, strike up a conversation in the ultra-cozy living room, or get outside and enjoy the out-in-the-desert-surrounded-by-palms living space. At night, everyone can retreat to their own one-of-a-kind bedroom. Oh, and when you’re in Beatty, don’t miss your chance to see Death Valley’s adorable wild burros!
ADA- Plus Pet-Friendly In Pahrump
Location: Pahrump, Nevada
Price per night: $150 per night
Accommodations: 8 guests, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
About an hour south of Beatty, and just over an hour west of Las Vegas, we have our eyes on a few homes in Pahrump, a town in the Mojave Desert. First up: this comfy-cozy ADA- and pet-friendly ranch. The whole family, including Fido and Sparky, can enjoy time spent indoors and out. Fire up the barbecue, sit around the firepit, or spread out inside. Your host also notes that there’s great golf nearby.
Guesthouse Between Death Valley And Vegas
Location: Pahrump, Nevada
Price per night: $76 per night
Accommodations: 2 guests, 1-bed studio, 1 bath
This Pahrump pick is considerably smaller and extra quaint, making it perfect for solo travelers or a romantic getaway. You’ll still be surrounded by the Mojave Desert, but ambiance is everything here, with multiple ponds on the property and a lanai that invites you to take a load off and take it all in.
The Casita At Tlaquepaque
Location: Pahrump, Nevada
Price per night: $79 per night
Accommodations: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Superhosts Lloyd and Carol invite you to check into the Southwest-through-and-through Casita at Tlaquepaque. This is another desert getaway that’s perfect for solo travelers or couples, but it has a very different aesthetic than the guesthouse listed above. Enjoy a kiva fireplace, rich, earthy decor, and unique art everywhere you look.
Arizona
Beaulieu Cottage
Location: Sedona, Arizona
Price per night: $112 per night
Accommodations: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
On to Arizona, and we’re starting with a lovely and affordable West Sedona pick. Feel yourself surrounded by nature. Chimney Rock, Sugarloaf Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Coffeepot Rock are all nearby. Bear Mountain, Fay Canyon, and Boynton Canyon aren’t far off. The modern space is perfectly inviting and welcomes solo travelers and couples. We can see ourselves enjoying the views from the covered porch or back patio already. When you’re ready to venture out, see all our advice for enjoying time in Sedona.
Desert Vibrations Private Retreat
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Price per night: $284 per night
Accommodations: 8 guests, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
Buckle up, because we have a lot of favorite desert homes in Tucson, where the winter highs are in the high 60s (and might even reach 70!) between December and February. If you’re looking for a family or larger-group getaway, this is it. Outside: a massive pool, a hot tub, and iconic saguaro cacti. Inside: gorgeously designed spaces, charming details, and a corner for everyone to call their own.
Ayda’s Casita
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Price per night: $80 per night
Accommodations: 2 guests, 1-bed studio, 1 bath
If you’re looking for something on the smaller side, where you’ll really feel out in the desert, checking into Ayda’s is a good choice. Make your way along a long dirt road toward the mountains. Your tiny house, a hot tub, and the stars, which your superhost notes you can almost pluck out of the sky, await.
Private Casita In Westside
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Price per night: $200 per night
Accommodations: 4 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
This home is all about wide-open space as it’s set on 3.5 acres of gorgeous desert. Sit out and watch the sunrise and sunset from the Adirondack chairs, or do the same thing from the four-person hot tub. Inside, you’ll get your fill of Wild West decor, plus modern amenities and a well-appointed kitchen.
Light And Bright Guesthouse
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Price per night: $120 per night
Accommodations: 7 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
This unique, open-and-airy guesthouse promises desert views and a rugged mountain backdrop. The sleeping situation is unique in that there’s a king bed plus a hide-a-bed and multiple air mattresses, so if you’re planning on checking in with a handful of travel companions, your stay might be reminiscent of a big sleepover — in a good way. Press brew on the Keurig to get your morning going, spend the day exploring Tucson, and throw some delicious eats on the grill for an at-“home” dinner as the sun drops below the desert skyline.
Tucson Mountains Staycation
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Price per night: $125 per night
Accommodations: 7 guests, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Perhaps the best deal on our list, this Southwest stunner boasts 1,650 square feet, a kiva fireplace, plush furniture, and iconic surroundings. Superhost Chris advises visitors to be on the lookout for resident tortoises Frankie and Rose, who appear to enjoy the homegrown prickly pear fruits, also known as tuna.
Stunning Southwest-Style Home (With Pool)
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Price per night: $154 per night
Accommodations: 8 guests, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths
This desert home is another tremendous deal considering it accommodates eight guests in four well-appointed bedrooms (the master has its own bath with a soaking tub and separate shower). You’ll have a kiva fireplace and access to an outdoor kitchen and private pool.
5-Acre Cowboy Hideaway With Mini Donkeys
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Price per night: $114 per night
Accommodations: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Well, if the name of this desert rental doesn’t have you wanting to check in as soon as possible, we might just have different travel priorities. That’s fine, of course, but your interest might be piqued by the fact that this “cowboy guesthouse” for two is on an equine therapy facility that’s also home rescue donkeys — and boasts a pool, walking paths, and a putting green. Apparently there are even baby goats. When you’ve had your fill of the outdoors, cozy up in front of the gas stove or make yourself a simple meal in the casita’s kitchenette.
Westside Trailhead Retreat
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Price per night: $81 per night
Accommodations: 3 guests, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Get out in the Sonoran Desert — and right on the trail — when you check into this Tucson horse-ranch guesthouse. You’ll be right next to Tucson’s Sweetwater Preserve. In fact, superhost Laura notes that the Sweetwater Trailhead is located at the end of the property’s driveway.
Primitive Yurt Camping Tent
Location: Fort Defiance, Arizona
Price per night: $111 per night
Accommodations: 3 guests, 2 bed-yurt, 1/2 bath
Superhost Jacinda describes this yurt as being in a “secluded and serene location.” Its accessible by dirt road and promises breathtaking views as far as the eye can see. Note that while the yurt is heated, this is somewhat of a camping experience. The half bath is an outhouse, but there is an indoor fireplace and even a TV. Fort Defiance is part of the Navajo Nation 3 hours east of Flagstaff and just under 3 hours northwest of Albuquerque.
Utah
The Doll House Ranch
Location: Hanksville, Utah
Price per night: $249 per night
Accommodations: 16 guests, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths
You might’ve been thinking the Arizona desert couldn’t be beat. But then, there‘s The Doll House Ranch, in remote Hanksville, an undeniably one-of-a-kind stay that, according to superhost Jessica “was built in the 190s by a local cowboy named A.C. Ekker” whose team “blew holes into the cliffside” so The Doll House could be built into its environment. Considering it sleeps 16, this is an ideal destination for reunions — family or otherwise. Guests will love the architecture and Southwest decor, but its the sprawling desert views, framed by not-too-far-off mountains, that win it a place on our list.
Cove Fort Smart Tiny House
Location: Beaver, Utah
Price per night: $40 per night
Accommodations: 4 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
If you’re pining for a really off-grid desert experience, the Cove Fort Smart Tiny House could be just the destination for you. The host invites guests to trek to the “middle of nowhere … a vacant desert” where you can experience quiet and antelope. According to the listing “stays in 2020 will be somewhat experimental,” but whenever you arrive, the house has regular utilities, a tiny, working kitchen, and “plenty of hot water” for sudsing up in a “small shower that should be tall enough for most”!
Juniper Forest Inn
Location: Kanab, Utah
Price per night: $157 per night
Accommodations: 6 guests, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
The view from the living room of this charming property earned it a spot on our list. As the photos indicate, doggos love hanging out on the porch, and you will do. This pet-friendly property has. a fenced-in back yard. Springdale, Utah, is just an hour northwest, and you’ll want to visit Zion National Park if you check in here. You can also head northeast to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which Robyne Stevenson writes about here.
Altitude Adjustment
Location: Kanab, Utah
Price per night: $150 per night
Accommodations: 6 guests, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
If you want an even more desert Kanab experience, consider the Altitude Adjustment cabin, set on 5.6 acres just 5 miles east of town. The rustic decor invites you to slow down, and we’re willing to bet you’ll wind up spending nights snuggled up by the indoor fireplace — or out by the firepit under the stars.
Wyoming
Historic Barn Loft
Location: Savery, Wyoming
Price per night: $129 per night
Accommodations: 5 guests, 4-bed loft, 1 bath
Only one Wyoming desert home made our list, and that’s because there aren’t many places to rent in Wyoming’s high-altitude and sagebrush steppe Red Desert. That said, this historic barn in Savery allows you to experience this unique terrain. Savery is remote; you’ll be 4.5 hours by car from Denver, 3 hours from Cheyenne, and 6 hours from Jackson (Savery is in south-central Wyoming just over a mile from the Colorado state line). Superhost Kimberly suggests bringing your fishing gear. Savery Creek runs through the property, where you can watch horses graze and get away from the hustle and bustle for a few nights. In town, don’t miss the Little Snake River Museum, where you can experience “over 15 historic buildings and countless exhibits depicting the rich history of this secluded ranching valley.”
Colorado
Lucky Little Dog House
Location: Alamosa, Colorado
Price per night: $93 per night
Accommodations: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Colorado isn’t exactly known for its deserts, unless you’re headed for Great Sand Dunes National Park, in which case a stay at the Lucky Little Dog House in nearby Alamosa will be ideal. More than any other house on this list, the Lucky Little Dog House is reminiscent of Little House On the Praire (or in the Desert). Superhost Wendy provides plenty of wood for the indoor wood stove and the outdoor firepit. For breakfast, you can crack freshly laid eggs from the property’s spritely free-range hens.
Sage Canyon Cliff House
Location: Cortez, Colorado
Price per night: $259 per night
Accommodations: 3 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Like The Doll House in Hanksville, Utah, the Sage Canyon Cliff House in Cortez, Colorado, is literally built into a cliff. The difference? This home is smaller and has more of a boutique aesthetic. Follow the garden path to Sage Canyon’s tipi alcove and petrogyphs. Since you’ll be be just about 10 miles away, read up on how to visit Mesa Verde’s incredible cliff dwellings.
New Mexico
Shipping Container Home
Location: El Prado, New Mexico
Price per night: $60 per night
Accommodations: 3 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Something about this shipping container home is reminiscent of the Desert Gold Death Valley House in Beatty, Nevada. But it costs a lot less to check into, and probably hasn’t been featured in the New York Times or an Audi commercial. You’ll still enjoy a gorgeous space and wide-open desert and mountain views. Taos is just 10 minutes away. Here’s how to spend a perfect weekend there, and the best things to do in town.
Authentic Adobe Home
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Price per night: $194 per night
Accommodations: 6 guests, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Welcome to a magazine-worthy authentic adobe home complete with timbered ceilings, Southwest textiles, a kiva fireplace, and oodles of indoor and outdoor living space. Enjoy the views from the patio or hit the hiking trails to stretch your legs before or after a big meal made in the gorgeous open-concept kitchen.
1948 Spartan Camper
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Price per night: $72 per night
Accommodations: 2 guests, 1 bedrooms, 1 bath
Superhost Suzanne welcomes solo travelers and couples to enjoy a vintage vacation in her old-school camper, which has been featured in Vintage Camper Trailers magazine. In addition to the charm par excellence of the tiny livingroom, kitchen, bath, and separate bedroom, you’ll love the camper’s dedicated deck. Suzanne suggests a visit to nearby La Cieneguilla Petroglyph Site (which is just minutes away) and says guests can expect views of the Milky Way if their stay includes a clear night.
Spirit Yurt At Flying Trees
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Price per night: $70 per night
Accommodations: 4 guests, 2-bed yurt, 1 bath
If the primitive yurt in Fort Defiance piqued your interest, but you’d rather be closer to a city and not have to use an outhouse, superhost Phil’s Spirit Yurt, about 30 minutes south of Santa Fe proper, is the desert destination for you. This is an environmentally aware desert adventure at its finest. During your yurt stay, you’ll use a hot-water-on-demand system and a composting toilet. You’ll also notice the solar panels soaking up the desert sun. Phil says, “from the deck of the yurt, you will have unobstructed spectacular views, including the Ortiz Mountains, Cerro Pelon, and the entire cosmos at night!”
Secluded House With Desert Views
Location: San Ysidro, New Mexico
Price per night: $142 per night
Accommodations: 4 guests, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
We’d never heard of San Ysidro before, but it’s top of mind now, as we imagine checking into this fabulous two-story home with gorgeous Southwest touches like rich textiles and timbered ceilings . The property is managed by Evolve, the same company that manages the Authentic Adobe Home in Santa Fe. San Ysidro is less than an hour north of Albuquerque and is an hour west of Santa Fe.
Riverside Hot Springs Private Retreat
Location: Truth Or or Consequences, New Mexico
Price per night: $217 per night
Accommodations: 4 guests, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Truth be told, we had to include this amazing desert home for its location name alone. And then there’s the fact that it’s literally on the Rio Grande and has its own private hotspring tub for soaking under the sun or stars. Inside, you’ll find humble decor — and beautiful views from every window.
Cottage On The Continental Divide
Location: Pinos Altos, New Mexico
Price per night: $104 per night
Accommodations: 3 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
This Southwest cottage on the edge of Gila National Forest introduced us to clerestory windows, which make it appear that the ceiling is hovering above some of the rooms — and let the New Mexico sunlight and night sky in. You and yours will appreciate the grounds around the cottage, which is pet friendly and has a fenced-in area. Superhost Tom notes that kids love the sleeping loft (accessible only by ladder) and notes that you can walk out the door and onto a trail that will take you “deep into the surrounding canyons and mountains.”
Casita Azul
Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Price per night: $135 per night
Accommodations: 4 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bath
This simple casita in beautiful Las Cruces is the only property on our list to have both a hot tub and an outdoor kiva fireplace. What more could you ask for during a winter escape? Get cozy in the water or by the fire and enjoy the desert mountain views. Superhost David maintains hummingbird feeders around the casita and notes that you might have a tiny companion during your morning coffee hour.
Still not sure exactly where you want to go or what kind of getaway you’re after? Consider our Ultimate List Of Cabins To Rent In Winter and Ultimate List Of Oceanfront Homes You’ll Want To Escape To ASAP for more vacation rental inspiration.
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