Croll Cabins-DeSpain Schoolhouse-#1 on Vallecito Lake. Newly renovated! | Cabin in Bayfield

DeSpain Schoolhouse (865 sq ft) is a two story cabin set back from the lake, with a large backyard, and a lovely porch with a swing to enjoy the sunset views over the lake. The living room has a corner woodstove and a dining area that seats 6. Newly renovated fall 2024. There are two bedrooms upstairs, each with a queen bed and twin bed.
CROLL CABINS WELCOMES YOU
We’re a family-owned property featuring 6 cabins. Escape to this hidden gem nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, where adventure and relaxation meet. Our cabins provide an unforgettable vacation experience.
Croll Cabins is a great place for family reunions and for retreats. Check out our additional listings on property: VRBO 2740729, VRBO 2740621, VRBO 2740772, VRBO 2740676, and VRBO 2740861.
✭"...We had a great stay! We enjoyed fishing, paddle boarding, and roasting s’mores at night by the fire and can’t wait to come back..."
✭"...this was our 7th stay here and each stay has been better than the last. We absolutely love it here, from the hosts to the breathtaking views…"
LOCATION
Nestled on the eastern shore of Vallecito Reservoir, the cabins are surrounded by 961 acres of recreational land, providing plenty of outdoor activities right nearby, and averages over 300 sunny days a year. Croll Cabins is 45 minutes from Durango, Colorado, known for its Durango to Silverton train ride and historic downtown. Purgatory Ski Area is just over an hour, and Wolf Creek Ski area is an hour and a half. Pagosa Springs, CO is about an hour away, boasting of the world’s deepest hot springs.
DESPAIN SCHOOLHOUSE (CABIN 1, RED TRIM)
*This Cabin Sleeps 6*
*Bedroom 1: Queen Bed and Twin Bed
*Bedroom 2: Queen Bed and Twin Bed
*Bathroom 1: has bathtub/shower combo
There is a fully stocked kitchen for cooking meals with pots, pans, knives, utensils, dinnerware, baking dishes, toaster, a microwave, and a coffee pot. There is an oven and fridge/freezer. The dining room table seats six.
The living area has a woodburning stove, a couch and two chairs. There is a Smart TV with Starlink Internet for Streaming. Firewood is provided during cooler weather.
*There is a large parking area adjacent to the cabin.
Guest Access
The cabin and the entire Croll Cabins Property (appx. 15 acres) are available for guest use, providing plenty of places to walk and green space for games. The property is bordered by San Juan National Forest and Vallecito Reservoir.
DeSpain Schoolhouse is setback 150 ft from the lake (seasonal water levels/rainfall dependent - see below).
Croll Cabins has kayaks, a canoe, and paddleboards for guest use, free of charge; life jackets are also provided and required.
The property has many picnic tables and grills, including at least one for each cabin. Additional tables can be moved on an as-needed basis.
DAY USE FEE
Group events (such as birthday parties and family gatherings) are allowed on property for the day, with a curfew of 9 PM. There is a charge of $10 per day per person. DeSpain Schoolhouse has a limit of 12 people (including renters).
THINGS TO DO
A few of our favorite activities available in the immediate Vallecito area include:
*Backpacking *Fishing * Birding
*Biking. *Hiking *Cross Country Skiing
*Kayaking *Photography *Rock Climbing
*Fly fishing *Sailing *Horseback Riding
*Wildlife Viewing *Snow Mobiling *Hunting
PETS
**There is a $20 fee per night per dog** (excluding service dogs)
**Max two dogs**
*Your dog must be friendly and house-trained.
*Your dog must always be supervised by you or put in a crate if left alone.
*You will be charged for any damage caused by your dog
*Dogs are not allowed on furniture such as couches and beds
*Dogs must be leashed while on the property
*Owner responsible for pet waste
ACCESS TO PROPERTY
Access is via private dirt road (.5mi from North, 4.5mi from South); while the road is open to the public from May – September, it may be gated during the rest of the year, access codes will be provided as needed. Access from the South is gated by the Forest Service for Cross Country Skiing from December to April. Cabins accessible via groomed ski trails snow permitting, December – April.
LAKE LEVELS
Vallecito is a reservoir that provides water for La Plata County. As such, we have no control over lake levels and can vary as much as 20 feet. It isn’t uncommon for water levels to be so high that it can affect plumbing in a few of the cabins for a few weeks during the summer. Port-a-potties will be on-site near affected cabins if this is the case. There is also a bath/shower house up the hill for use in extreme cases. We understand this can be frustrating and will provide a discount if this affects your stay.
Due to the nature of the property and the cabin size, for each undeclared guest that exceeds the number of people the cabin sleeps, there will be a $100 fine per person per night. Please be mindful of the cabin’s capacity when booking and plan accordingly. Each cabin is different, and a larger cabin or multiple cabins might suit your group better.
WINTER ACCESS
4WD/AWD May be required from November / March, the property is plowed, however, one hill must be traversed for access, and we cannot guarantee snow will be plowed at arrival.
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS
****We can not predict or control the weather, so we don't offer refunds due to inclement weather. Please keep this in mind when booking; if this is a concern, we recommend purchasing travel insurance (AirBNB provides this while checking out!).****
Hosts are on-site to help with any issues, including access during winter.

Croll Cabins-DeSpain Schoolhouse-#1 on Vallecito Lake Newly renovated! is located in Bayfield. Croll Cabins-DeSpain Schoolhouse-#1 on Vallecito Lake Newly renovated! provides accommodation, featuring Parking, Pet Friendly, Balcony/Terrace, among other amenities. This Cabin features Parking, Pet Friendly, Balcony/Terrace, to make your stay a comfortable one.

Croll Cabins-DeSpain Schoolhouse-#1 on Vallecito Lake Newly renovated! has 2 Bedrooms , 1 Bathroom, and max occupancy of 6 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated Cabin because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this Cabin, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. Cabin has a friendly neighborhood, and the Bayfield has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the Cabin in Bayfield, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.