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(ADULTS ONLY. NO KIDS) Unplug from the city to soak up in nature and experience a romantic getaway with an amazing sunset view at our ZIA Geo Dome at El Mistico Ranch. El Mistico Ranch consist of 30 acres of natural high desert land with natural spring waters, nearby Lincoln National Forest as our next door neighbor. The climate is mild here and the property is vegetated with pinon pine, juniper, and a variety of cacti. Enjoy Stargazing in the middle of nature!
Zia Geo Dome is located inside El Mistico Ranch. Space includes a patio area equipped with a gas grill and table. Catch a spectacular view of Carrizo Peek from our elevated platform patio deck. Zia Geo dome counts with one queen bed that sleeps a maximum of two people. Full bathroom inside the dome and a small kitchenette. Zia dome doesn't allow kids only 13+ and/or pets.
Guest have access to Zia's main patio and deck as well as some shared spaced within the 30 acer ranch like the trails, Sacred fire pit, the hammock areas and the pet cemetery.
Main House is off limits at all times!!
Other things to note
El Mistico Ranch is a 30 acer Glamping site. Do consider this is not a hotel and should be considered more like glamorous camping. We are in nature and with that comes its limitations. Be mindful of showers and water use as well as not leaving food outside! Again we are in nature and we do have furry friends like bears, mountain Leon’s, and other critters. Expect a 10+/- min hike on uneven trails to get to your dome! Check the weather before coming, to come fully prepared!
El Mistico Ranch has several other unique stays within the property so do expect and respect other guests walking our trails.
Doug and Lily are outstanding hosts! The location is awesomely remote and quiet. The Domes are huge and definitely set up for large groups. The deck has amazing views of the mountains and non-stop hummingbirds in the summer. There had been ample rainfall when we visited so we were able to enjoy an evening outdoor fire with wood and kindling provided. The road in is a National Forest road so expectation management is required. The 11.5 mile drive easily takes 45 min - 1 hour depending on your comfort level on a high altitude mountain road. There is a pull-off on the way in that has an excellent picture opportunity with a spectacular view of the Tularosa Basin including Alamogordo and White Sands National Monument.
The kitchen was stocked with plenty of equipment and staples. I would recommend that one meal plans and brings plenty of groceries for the stay as it is not a quick trip to the store from this location. There is plenty of space inside the Domes and it is very comfortable. It is recommended that in the summer, open the windows in the evening to cool the space overnight and close them before the sun crests the eastern peak to optimize temperature comfort.
They have two very friendly Great Pyrenees dogs that got along with our three dogs just fine.
There is a 4 wheeler (quad) trail leading from the property into the Nat. Forest that follows the pipe for their spring fed water supply. It is quite a steep trail and I recommend that you be in moderate to good health to tackle it. We took it as far as we felt comfortable but did not make it to the top of the ridge as it would have required breaking brush.
Lily and Doug live on site and are very attentive. They even brought us some squash from their garden and assisted us in finding our old Bassett Hound who had wondered behind their dome.
The Domes also serves as an active art gallery for Lily’s works (which are extremely affordable) . Purchases can be made during your stay so keep that in mind to bring some extra cash with you.
This location is kid friendly and dog friendly.
Highlights: afternoon thunderstorms (August), beautiful sunsets, proximity to several national forest trails, stargazing opportunities (they are nearly parallel to the Sunspot Observatory), countless hummingbirds, a stack of New Mexico magazines from the 1960’s and 70’s (this New Mexican native loved them), day trip possibilities to White Sands, Sunspot, and Cloudcroft, cherry picking in High Rolls ( usually June depending on the season), and so much more!
We enjoyed every minute we were here and I highly recommend this spot to take a break from society and technology and get a feel for the wonderful southern mountains of New Mexico!
I have stayed at the Domes on 3 separate occasions with friends and family, and we have had a fantastic experience every time. The point of visiting these Domes is to detach from the expectations of our daily lives and tune into the natural paradise that surrounds the property. There is nothing fancy about this rental, but it has all of the accommodations you need for a comfortable stay. It is clean, warm, and cozy. I can't wait for my next visit!
This place is a must if you want to get away from everything. It's nestled in the mountains of Lincoln National Forest and is secluded and so scenic and peaceful.
The domes themselves are the most interesting structures and are very comfortable and homey. They are very clean, and kept very nicely.
There is artwork hung all around and all of it is mesmerizing, and there is a gift shop full of local artwork and goods.
The road to get up to the domes is long and winding, but every mile is full of beautiful scenery, and you will most likely see wildlife sprinkled here and there.
It's a great place to get away and disconnect for a while, while still having the comforts of hot water, indoor plumbing, and internet connectivity.
If you want to enjoy nature and take in some of the New Mexico sites this is an amazing place to do it.
Spectacular location, incredibly unique home, and amazing hosts. The Domes are a rare gift. The location is truly remote, offering visitors a chance to adventurously hop off the grid in a completely safe and well-equipped fashion. This includes amenities you'd expect out of a typical, modern home and even fast, reliable internet—a must for remote workers looking to put in some time while in the forest-covered mountains. Enjoy the one-of-a-kind drive in. Carving around cliffs on a well-maintained gravel road really makes you feel how out there the domes truly are. As for the domes themselves: WOW. Spacious, quirky and as awe-inspiring as the nature that surrounds them. The hosts are warm, welcoming and set the tone of what you can expect out of the entire experience. It's nice to know they are a call away if you need anything. This is one of the best rental experiences I've ever had and I am fully expecting to revisit this rare treasure soon.
I had the pleasure of staying at The Domes Nature Retreat with several friends for a week and I had an incredible time! The Domes are nestled in the heart of Lincoln National Forest and there are countless hiking trails to explore in the area.
The rooms are very spacious and the huge windows provide breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the stars at night. The staff were also incredibly friendly and made me feel so welcome! They were always happy to answer any questions that I had and they gave me some great tips on what to see and do in the area.
I highly recommend The Domes to anyone who wants to escape the daily stress of city life and reconnect with nature. It's the perfect place to unwind, recharge, and enjoy the enchanting beauty of New Mexico. I can't wait to go back!
