Stay
Booking
The Lodge is the coziest family owned motel in the central Colorado region where one can experience where adventure and cozy collide. We offer premium beds and bedding featuring cozy fleece Pendleton blankets, friendly family style hospitality, a beautiful courtyard complete with a firepit for star-gazing and a staff who aims to please. We are pet friendly and offer a roaring fire pit out back for your star gazing plans.
Need a fridge? Book a King Deluxe Room, our Double Deluxe Queens, our Deluxe Queen aka"The Buck Sleeps Here" (Room 12) , our "Apres Everything Suite" (Room 14) and you will have one. Request a microwave and one can be supplied. We also just made available "The Bird's Nest" (unit 11), an entire two bedroom apartment complete with a kitchen, living area, weber gas grill plus outdoor seating by your own personal creekside location. Call us to book today or click the "Book Now" button below.
REQUEST THE "BIRD'S NEST"
for families, groups or just more SPACE...
Check out our lovely "Bird's Nest" cozy two bedroom pad.
It sleeps 6-7 peeps and offers a full kitchen and living area
with big screen Roku TV (and it's own creek side patio!).
Need to cancel your booking? No worries! We offer an easy 24 hour cancellation policy. See FAQ below for details.
The Adventures
The Lodge at Poncha Springs is about freedom and adventure. The Lodge offers the coziest beds in the Arkansas Headwaters region where our guests slide into after a day of Colorado fun and sun. Whether your idea of a good day is fly fishing in the Arkansas River and ending with a cold craft brew in your hand to mountain biking our epic trails and ending the day with a fish taco on the river, Poncha Springs has adventures aplenty. Like your fresh powder downhill time? We offer the most convenient and cozy of accommodations for Monarch Mountain skiers and snowboarders. We are only 14 miles to the first ski lift at Monarch and only miles from epic snowshoe, tubing, dog sled racing and snowmobiling adventures that Central Colorado has to offer. We are the best Colorado mountain biking motel, the best hot spring soaking motel, the best brewery, winery and Colorado Trail mountain motel... in the end, you can say we are good at being the best of many things! Come see us and expect to have fun Colorado style.
-
Do you have secure storage for bikes and sports gear?We can absolutely safely store bikes, ski gear, etc. on the property for you.
-
Do you have cot or crib service for the rooms?Unfortunately we do not offer this service.
-
What is the closest airport to the Lodge?We have several airports in Colorado, the ones to consider when traveling to Chaffee County are: > Denver (DIA): 3 hour drive (with light traffic) > Colorado Springs (COS): 2 hours, 15 minutes drive > Gunisson (GUC): 1 hour, 6 minutes drive > Aspen (ASE): 3 hours, 16 minutes drive > Eagle County Airport (EGE) 2 hours, 18 minutes drive > Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) 4 hours, 49 minutes (There are some Hwy 50 road closures that prevent using the usually shorter route.)
-
What is your cancellation policy?We know things happen, so we offer a full refund for the room, minus the credit card fees (usually these run from $3-$10 USD depending on the cost of your booking) if you cancel 24 hours or more before your reservation. If not, you will be charged for the full price of the first night of the booking and the rest will be refunded within 3-7 business days.
-
Can I park near my room?Absolutely! We are a 1950's motor lodge with a vintage style "park your car right outside your door" parking space.
-
Does the motel book family reunions, weddings, or other retreat groups or special events?Absolutely, we love special events. The Lodge is ideal with our beautiful courtyard and firepit for family and friend gatherings. Please give us a call to discuss your needs.
-
What time is check in and check out at the Lodge at Poncha Springs?Check in begins at 4pm, and check out is at 11am. We are happy to accommodate an earlier check in time if our bookings allow for it. Check out is at a lazy 11am. Need a later check out? We can usually accommodate for a fee of $30 per hour, prorated by 30 minute increments. You always have a 30 minute grace period, so don't sweat it! We are on premise and available via text or call every day at 719-539-6085 for any special requests.
-
How far are you from Monarch Ski Mountain?Yes and we are glad you asked! We are the one of the most convenient Colorado ski motels in the state. With Monarch ski lifts a mere 16 miles from your front door, we truly are a great ski get away spot. You can be from your cozy Lodge bed to the base of Monarch Mountain in a mere 20 minutes. In addition, with a selection of restaurants to choose from and a grocery + hardware store across the road from us, you literally have all of your needs met here at the Lodge.
-
Do you have any restaurants or business with in walking distance?Well since you asked, we might brag just a wee bit here...We have a terrific walkability score (by our standards). If you are tired of driving and want to enjoy the lovely Colorado air, you will find our location to be the perfect fit for your needs. For example, these handy businesses are all within walking distance: >LaGree's Grocery store (5 minutes) >Hunger Junction Burger/BBQ take-out restaurant (1 minute) >Iron Chest Steak House - Casual Colorado steak house (2 minutes) >Poncha Pub - local pub serving salads, sandwiches, wings and more (three minutes) >Elevation Beer Company (15 minutes) >Vino Salida Winery (5 minutes) >Alta Gas Station (2 minutes) >Colorado Outpost Store (2 minutes) >Flamingo Breakfast Food Truck (1 minute) >Two cafe's serving great coffee and breakfast (Wander Wylder - coffee, smoothies and bowls is a 3 minutes walk and the High Valley Center serves up great espresso and coffee as well as delicous breakfast and lunch is a 10 minute walk). >Walking, running, biking trail located directly across the street (1 minute).
-
Do you offer long term hunter rates?We host several hunters every fall. The Lodge has hosted them for over 30 years strong. We do offer extended stay hunting rates. Please call us at 719-539-6085 for more details.
-
Can I get a ground floor room?Yes, indeed. Our establishment is comprised of all first floor rooms, so, no problem here.
-
Do you offer any discounts?We proudly offer very accessible nightly rates, so we do not accept additional AARP or AAA discounts. However, if you are in the military or a veteran, a first responder or a K-12 teacher, we got you covered with a 10% discount. We love to support our military men and women, first responders as well as our teachers.
-
Do you have a pool or hot tub?Currently, we do not, (and that makes us sad too) but we plan to offer a hot soaking pool experience in the near future in our beautiful garden and courtyard area. Stay tuned for more, as there is nothing nicer than soaking under a Colorado star lit sky after a day of playing in the sun.
-
What is your pet policy?We do allow well cared for and mannered cats and dogs that sleep in their crates and are happy furry friends who have good parents who insure that they follow motel etiquette and don't bark in their rooms or frighten other patrons. All pets stay for a $30 "best friend sleeps too" fee. We can accommodate up to two dogs or one cat.
-
Is there ground transportation services available in the area? How about Lyft or Uber?Yes, we are well prepared when you need a lift. We have a local taxi service - Rocky Mountain Taxi. The taxi service can be reached at 719-966-2005. There is also a public and free shuttle service available to our guests during the week from approximately 8am - 5pm daily. The Chaffee Shuttle is a shared ride and public transit service operating in the Salida, Buena Vista, Howard and Poncha Springs area and can be reached at 719-530-8980. Transportation is provided for medical appointments, work, shopping, and social activities throughout Chaffee County. And, did we mention the service is free! However we recommend offering a "pay it forward" shuttle donation as they are greatly appreciated. Uber and Lyft are unfortunately not available here - as of this post.
-
Do you offer an EV charging station?We do not have one on the premises, but we do have a Tesla Charging Station just up the road about 1/2 mile from the Lodge and many of our Tesla customers love this Tesla Chaffee County EV charging station at this close vicinity.
-
How far are you from Monarch Mountain?We are only 16 miles from Monarch Mountain, so a breezy 18 minute drive or so.
-
Do you have any Colorado hot springs nearby?Great question, and YES! We actually are a great location for a Colorado hot springs get away with several only a short drive away. We are approximately twenty five minutes drive from the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, the Cottonwood Hot Springs, Charlotte Hot Springs and Botanical Gardens and Joyful Journey. Valley View hot springs is 40 minutes from us and the Sand Dunes Recreational soaking pools only a sixty minute drive. When you check in, if headed to a hot springs, let us know as we may have discounted passes.
-
Do you have any units with kitchenettes?We have one unit with a full kitchen, we call "The Bird's Nest". It is a darling adventure pad complete with sleeping for 6-8 and a creekside patio and grill set up.
-
Do you offer extended stays and rates?We can sometimes offer this during our slow season, but our primary focus is our short stay guests. Slow season is November - December and again from April - May.
-
How far are you from the town of Salida?We are 5 miles from Salida or approximately 7-10 minutes drive. While our Poncha Springs location is highly walkable to local eateries, a grocery store, coffee shops, a winery and a brewery, Salida has its beautiful river park, and many eateries, shops and cafe/bars.
-
Can I park a long trailer or rig at the Lodge?Absolutely! We have a nice large parking lot and we can usually fit long rigs and trailers with no worries. Be sure to mention this when making a reservation so we can plan accordingly.
-
How far are you from Buena Vista?Buena Vista or "BV" as the locals refer to it, is only 23 miles or 25 minutes drive from The Lodge at Poncha Springs. Buena Vista is a beautiful Colorado town and is a great place to explore, hike, raft, eat and drink as well!
-
Do you have breakfast service or a restaurant?We do not, alas we have restaurants all around us within waking distance. For expample, we have a restaurant right next door (The Hunger Shack), a steakhouse right across the street (The Iron Chest Steakhouse) and a fabulous breakfast food truck (The FlaminGo) right next door to us. Even better both the Hunger Shack and the FlaminGo offer you a discount if you are guests at the Lodge and show them our card. The winery across the street, Vino Salida, offers daily tastings, charcuterie plates and a full bar daily. If its a Colorado craft brew you crave, the Elevation Beer Co. is only .5 miles from us on a paved trail and the Poncha Pub ("get pickled" is their motto!) is only about .25 miles from us on Hwy 50 serving sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizzas and a full bar.
-
What hot springs are near Poncha Springs? Is there one in Poncha Springs?Great question and we have a great answer! There are several hot springs within an hours drive, and most within a 30 minute drive. Within 30 minutes you can soak at Joyful Journey, Cottonwood Hot Springs, Charlotte Hot Springs. Valley View Hot Springs is 45 minutes from us and the Sand Dunes Recreational Pool and Hot Springs is 60 minutes from us. We also have a uniquely geothermal heated pool, right here in Salida where you can get your "hot springs" on!
-
Do you have wifi for guests in the rooms or lobby?Yes, we offer both free and secure wifi for guests in all of our rooms.
The Lodge Story
About Us
The Lodge at Poncha Springs is a classic American motor lodge established in 1962. The Lodge, previously referred to as "The Poncha Lodge", offers everything a traveler needs: a cozy bed, walkable dining and libation venues, the Arkansas River headwaters and the most beautiful scenery and whitewater rafting Colorado has to offer. Looking to make the most of your trip? If you would like to arrange an extra special stay, any special arrangements or want to plan your own private friend or family motel take-over let the Innkeepers, Jimmy & Dawn know what you need, we will do the best to honor your wishes. We are the perfect little spot for private friend gatherings, family reunions, team retreats, wedding parties and gatherings and any special event you have in mind.
Dawn, a Colorado Native, and hospitality natural, is following her innkeeper dreams by building upon this epic location with charm and quirkiness. She has a longstanding and successful marketing career, so expect more storytelling in the near future on how you can enjoy this fabulous motor lodge.
Call us to enquire today at 719-539-6085.
