A Look Around
Colorful, functional, and built for community. A mountain basecamp in High Rolls Mountain Park — not a boutique hotel.
A Hostel for Adventurers
Cloudcroft Hostel is a true hostel — not a hotel with a quirky name. The official site describes it as “a hostel for adventurers,” and that’s the right way to read it: a budget-friendly, community-oriented mountain base built around shared use, outdoor recreation, and group flexibility.
Despite the name, the property sits in High Rolls Mountain Park, not central Cloudcroft. It’s right on Highway 82 between Alamogordo and Cloudcroft, with Lincoln National Forest trails starting at the front door. The strongest reasons to book here are price, an 8-bed dorm format that can also be reserved privately, first-floor group rentals for up to 25 guests, a fully equipped shared kitchen and common spaces, and immediate trail access.
Stephanie and Andrew run the hostel as a safe, clean, unique place for adventurous travelers. Tradeoffs are equally clear: shared bathrooms, hostel norms instead of hotel norms, and a setting that’s a short drive from Cloudcroft proper rather than walking distance to Burro Avenue. If you want value, shared space, and a mountain basecamp, this is a deliberate choice. If you want privacy, on-site dining, or full hotel service, this isn’t it.
Dorms, Private Dorms & Group Rentals
What the official site clearly supports today, plus what third-party listings hint at — with the caveats called out.
| Type | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm Bed | 1 guest per bed | 8-bed dorm rooms, shared bathrooms, linens, pillows & lockers included |
| Private Dorm | Up to 8 guests | Reserve an entire 8-bed dorm privately for your group |
| First Floor Group Rental | Up to 25 guests | Exclusive use of the first floor — reunions, retreats, wedding parties |
What You Get
A working kitchen, outdoor spaces, and the basics every stay needs — with the items to verify directly called out below.
Shared Kitchen & Common Areas
The kitchen and common areas are repeatedly singled out by guests. There is no on-site restaurant, café, or bar — cook here or drive into town.
- Fully equipped kitchen (stovetop, oven, fridge)
- Cookware, dishes, utensils
- Dining table and seating
- Common lounge for self-catered stays
Outdoor Spaces
The setting is one of the hostel’s strongest features. Trails start at the property and the porch and fire pit anchor evenings.
- Large porch with mountain views
- Fire pit (weather permitting)
- Star-gazing from the property
- Lincoln National Forest trails at the door
Included & On Site
The basics every stay covers, per the official site and Booking.com.
- Free Wi-Fi in all areas (Booking.com)
- Free private parking on site (Booking.com)
- Linens & pillows
- Lockers for personal items
- Shared bathrooms (hostel format)
Who Should Book Cloudcroft Hostel
Guests who know what a hostel is tend to like it a lot. Guests expecting a traditional hotel may be mismatched from the start.
Best For
- Hikers and outdoor travelers
- Solo travelers comfortable with hostel culture
- Friend groups looking for a shared mountain base
- Family reunions, retreat groups, and wedding parties
- Budget-conscious travelers who value shared spaces and a kitchen
Probably Not Best For…
- Travelers who want a private bathroom
- Guests who want walkable central Cloudcroft lodging
- Couples seeking a romantic or polished inn
- Travelers who want standard hotel services and full-service amenities
What Guests Say
Recurring Positives
Across Booking.com, Hostelworld, Tripadvisor, and Google hotel snippets, cleanliness is frequently praised. The kitchen and common areas are repeatedly valued. Hosts and the check-in experience are often described positively. Group and family stays seem to work well, and the mountain atmosphere is a recurring strength.
Common Cautions
Shared-bathroom and hostel norms are part of the experience. Privacy is naturally lower than at an inn or motel. The location is in High Rolls Mountain Park, not central Cloudcroft, so some outings require driving. Set hostel expectations, not hotel expectations.
The Pattern
Guests who understand what a hostel is tend to like it a lot. Guests expecting a traditional hotel may be mismatched from the start. Cloudcroft Hostel reads as a deliberate choice for value, community, and outdoor access — not a fallback motel.
In High Rolls Mountain Park
Although branded as “Cloudcroft Hostel,” the property sits in High Rolls Mountain Park — a more outdoors-forward, basecamp-style setting on Highway 82 rather than a walk-to-Burro-Avenue stay.
Trails at the Door
Lincoln National Forest trails start right outside the front door. Mountain views, immediate trail access, and a setting built for hikers and outdoor travelers.
Porch, Fire Pit & Stars
The official site emphasizes the large porch, fire pit (weather permitting), and star-gazing from the property. Evenings here are about the outdoors, not the lobby.
Drives From the Hostel
Cloudcroft proper — a short drive up the mountain. White Sands National Park — 35 miles.
Address
1049 Hwy 82, High Rolls Mountain Park, NM 88325. Mailing: P.O. Box 536, High Rolls Mountain Park, NM 88325. Free private parking on site.
Not Walkable to the Village
You’ll need a car to reach Cloudcroft’s restaurants and shops. That’s the tradeoff for a quieter, more dispersed mountain setting with trails right outside.
History & Stewardship
Stephanie and Andrew run the hostel today, framing it as a safe, clean, unique stay for adventurous travelers. The property has a longer online footprint than the current site alone, but a precise founding date isn’t fully documented — read this as a locally established budget and group base, not a landmark-historic property.
The Details
Check-in / Check-out
Check-in at 3:00 PM. Check-out at 11:00 AM. Contact hostel if arriving after 9:00 PM.
Rates
Budget-friendly — well below most Cloudcroft options. Rates vary by room type, group size, and season. Contact hostel for current pricing.
Pets
Dogs are $15 per night, in private rooms only. No dogs in the dorms. Reconfirm at booking, since the current main site doesn’t spell this out as clearly as older listings.
Cancellation
Cancellations are made by email or phone, per the official policy page. A third-party listing references 48 hours before arrival — confirm the exact deadline when you book.
Value, Community, and Mountain Air
A hostel for adventurers in High Rolls Mountain Park, with shared spaces, a working kitchen, trails from the door, and a price that leaves room in the budget for everything else. Book direct through the official site at cloudcrofthostel.com, or call or email Stephanie and Andrew with any questions about room type, group rentals, or pet policy before you reserve.