Before book making a reservation with us, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with our policies and guidelines. Your understanding and compliance with these guidelines ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience during your time at Bear Paw Lodge.

Policies & Guidelines

From Memorial Day until Labor Day each year, Bear Paw Lodge may require a minimum stay of three nights in our on-site cabins, and a minimum stay of three nights in our off-site Vacation Homes.

During the high season, reservations that are less than the minimum required nights will be assessed an additional cleaning fee depending on the size of the cabin or the vacation home.

Cancellation Policy

Deposits are refundable with 45 or more days cancellation notice prior to the check-in date.

No refunds of deposit on cancellations made less than 45 days prior to check-in unless Cabin or Vacation Home is re-rented.

A $50.00 accounting fee, per Cabin or Vacation Home rental, is deducted from all cancellation refunds.

All cancellations must be made by email or phone call with a Bear Paw Lodge representative.

If guests make a reservation and hold it with a credit card, but do not show up for the reservation, then the card will be charged for the full amount of the stay as the cabin or home is not available to other guests for that time period.

No refunds for early departure.

Check-In procedures

Check-In time is after 3:00 pm on the day of your arrival, and Check-out time is before 10:00 am on the day of your departure.

Upon arrival at Bear Paw Lodge, please come to the office located on the North side of the main lodge building. If no one is in the office, please ring the bell for attention.

Any remaining balances on your reservation will be settled at that time.

You will be given two keys to your cabin or vacation home, and you will be shown where to get replacement towels and wash cloths for your extended stay.

You will then be taken to your cabin or vacation home and shown around, giving you the opportunity to ask questions about the accommodations or the amenities.

Upon check-out, please return the keys to the desk in the office.

What to expect when you arrive

Bear Paw Lodge provides all of the necessary bed linens, bath towels and wash cloths, bath mats, toilet paper, bath/facial soap, kitchen wash cloths, dish towels, and dish washing soap for your stay.

However, we do not provide personal toiletry items such as shampoo, conditioner, blow dryers, hair straighteners, etc. You will need to bring those items with you from home or purchase them locally after you arrive.

We also provide a fully equipped kitchen complete with stove/oven, microwave oven, coffee maker and filters, dishes, drinking glasses and mugs, bowls, pots and pans, silverware, and trash bags.

Quiet Time

For the enjoyment of ALL of the guests staying at Bear Paw Lodge, a Quiet Time has been established between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am.

Guests who use the fire pit are welcome to enjoy the fire after 10:00 pm, but must keep the noise level down so as not to disturb any of the other guests, this includes loud talking and boistrous laughter.

We want everyone to enjoy their stay here at Bear Paw Lodge and not be inconvienenced by the behavior of some of the other guests.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted inside any of the Cabins or Vacation Homes.

Smoking is permitted on the porch of your Cabin or in the common areas.

All cigarette butts must be disposed of properly in the container provided on your porch or deck.

Special care must be taken when smoking outdoors in the forests and wilderness areas. Wildfires are devastating to the scenic beauty of the area, and the livelihood of everyone in the Vallecito Valley.

Parking Policy

Guest parking is available at each Cabin or Vacation home.

Special accomodations may be required for pulled trailers.

The loop driveway at Bear Paw Lodge must be kept clear at all times for emergency vehicles, and for guest access and egress.

Bear Paw Lodge tries to maintain a pleasant atmosphere along with clean, well maintained cabins and vacation homes.

It has become necessary to include a refundable Damage Deposit amount to each new reservation that varies per cabin or vacation home.

This deposit will cover extra cleaning efforts if the guest leaves a particularly bad mess that requires additional time to clean up; broken items inside or outside the cabin that were intact at check-in; carpet stains; lost keys; etc.

If everything looks good after guests check out, then the total deposit amount will be refunded to the guest's credit card within 3 days after check-out. If there are issues that require above-and-beyond cleaning efforts, or missing items from the cabin, then an appropriate amount will be retained from the deposit and the remaining amount (if any) will be refunded to the guest's credit card within 3 days after check-out. For reservations without a Damage Deposit, extra cleaning fees and damage repairs will be charged to the guests credit card upon discovery of the damages.

Pet Policy 

Well behaved pets are welcome at our cabins and must be managed at all times. All pets MUST be declared in advance. Pets MAY NOT be left in any cabin or home unattended. If you plan on going on an outing/adventure, without your pet, you may leave it in a portable kennel/carrier in your cabin or board it at a commercial kennel in Durango. There is a $15 per pet/per night fee. Maximum of 2 pets in any one cabin/home. Pets MUST be accompanied by the owner and be on a leash when outside. Pets are not allowed on any furniture such as couches and beds additional cleaning fee may be applied later on discovery. You are responsible for all property damage and/or personal injuries resulting from your pet. PLEASE NOTE that we do not accept dogs over 50lbs or cats. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please control your pet’s barking and watch out for any number of critters around the property; squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, birds, and deer. Please pick up after your pet. Thank you!