Quirky Airbnbs: A Colorado Earthship House That Belongs on Your Bucket List

This off-grid two-bedroom, one bath plant-filled oasis is an idyllic place to unplug and be at peace in the woods.Where are we:A handcrafted off-grid Earthship on five acres of ponderosa pine tucked in the Black Forest of woodsy and artsy Colorado Springs, Colorado.How this place got here:The architectural concept of Earthships (or earth homes) was developed by Michael Reynolds in the 1970s. These homes, made from recycled building materials like tires, mud, aluminum, and glass, use substantially less energy than traditional houses. What started in Taos, New Mexico, is now a nationwide movement—though a limited one, due to strict zoning regulations in most locales.Today, earth homes are rare in Colorado. This one has been around since the ’90s; the current owners, who purchased it in 2022, were thrilled to find an Earthship on the market in Colorado. But because it’s an alternative dwelling, it was a challenge for them to find a company willing to finance the purchase and someone to provide insurance. They refused to give up, and things came together one day before the deal would have fallen apart. The family was able to move forward, eventually opening the home for rentals—and hitting viral status on TikTok—through bookings on Airbnb.The atrium is a true rarity, with a 100-foot wall of windows that line the front of the home and thick walls that retain heat for a comfortable interior temperature year-round. Being partially underground also helps—there are no windows on the back of the house, and it extends into the earth a few feet below where the exterior panes stop. With a layout that harnesses sunlight for warmth and solar panels that power the home, you get off-grid living without sacrificing style or comfort.What the stay was like:I’m still dreaming about how beautiful this home is: Packed with plants and charming design choices in a minimalist earth-toned interior, it has built-in planters spanning its length, along with slate and flagstone floors to keep you cool in an abode awash with warm sunlight. The Earthship is narrow, with one long hallway and rooms tucked off to the sides. It’s an open concept layout with no doors other than the bathroom (so keep that in mind if you’re planning to visit with a group).Courtesy of AirbnbCourtesy of AirbnbIn the living room, you’ll find a television, record player, and comfortable seating, including an extra-long burnt orange corduroy couch—perfect for spreading out and listening to music. A few records are available, but we also brought our own. It's a prime zone for napping and aimlessly gazing out the window at the birds flitting back and forward between the gently swaying trees around the property.If you’re like me and feel like holing up for the entirety of the trip, bring groceries and make meals together. The kitchen has a little tile-topped island, ample countertop space for prepping, and a dishwasher (stick to daytime for the dishes to take full advantage of the solar power). For a good chunk of the stay, we posted up along the long wooden table that fills the dining area to work on a 1,000-piece puzzle and watch the occasional deer wander through the ponderosa pines in the yard.Felicia BrowerFelicia BrowerColorful glass bottles are built into the wall of the bathroom, which houses my favorite feature: an elevated soaking tub. As a tall woman, it’s always nice to find a tub deep and wide enough to actually fit your entire body (cold knees crew, rise up). It took a minute for the water to get to my ideal roasting temp, but it made for a superb evening. The bedrooms are at the end of the house—one features a queen bed, sofa bed, and a thriving plant divider, making the space feel more enclosed. You’ll find a comfy king bed in the main bedroom, which is a smidge larger but fully open and exposed.I’m relieved to report that I didn’t notice much of a difference between an off-grid stay than that of a “traditional” home. The owners do state that the home won’t “shut down on you,” but they do recommend being conscious about how and when you use energy. Everything in the house is powered by limited solar energy—but we found nothing was that different, except for simply being mindful of the timing of tasks: saving the dishes for the day when we left, an early bath, and closing the curtains when it got hot instead of turning on AC.We headed down to Colorado Springs from Denver for a change of scenery, if only for the weekend. Our stay was an attempt to escape the responsibilities and obligations that come with everyday life for a weekend, and this was a magnificent place to do that. I’ll most definitely be back.Courtesy of AirbnbCourtesy of AirbnbWhat’s nearby:While we specifically booked this stay to be reclusive in the woods, this quirky Earth home is 16 miles from the Tri-Lakes region for outdoor enthusiasts looking for some time on the water. It's also less than 30 miles from downtown Colorado Springs for walkable entertainment, and a little over 60 miles from Denver if you want to pair your trip to the woods with a visit to the Mile High City.For dinner or drinks nearby, grab delicious Mexican dishes at Mezcalita in Colorado Springs or stop by 3 Hundred Days Distilling for hand-distilled moonshine in Monument. If you want to spend time outdoors, Mount Herman is close or you can take a trip to see the iconic red rock formations at Garden of the Gods. The US Olympic and Paralympic Museum as well as the historic Broadmoor Hotel are in Colorado Springs and worth the visit.More quirky Airbnbs: