60 Bear Mountain Ranch Road
Silver City , NM 88062
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Bear Mountain Lodge is a beautiful historic artsy lodge in southern New Mexico. It's close proximity to natural wonders like Gila Cliff Dwellings and the Gila National Forest make it a perfect based for exploring the New Mexico wilderness. The property has no TVs or internet access, so it's a great weekend escape for anyone looking to take some time off from work and modern living. Art lovers will appreciate the fine artwork located throughout all guest rooms and common areas, as well as on-site access to the Blue Dome Art Gallery.
This amazing property was built in 1928 so it has a lot of historic charm. With so many chain hotels overpopulating most cities today, it is a rare find to stay in such a beautiful and eclectic property. I loved the tranquil vibe of this lodge. The beautiful juniper woodlands surrounding the lodge create such a wonderful vibe for relaxation. This is truly a place where you can get away from it all, even for just a weekend. Some rooms include balconies and the lodge offers a number of shady seating areas where you can relax with a book, birdwatch, or just enjoy the natural surroundings. There are over 3 miles of nature trails on-site, which is great for those who just want to relax at the lodge without doing much driving. Even the nature trails feature some interesting pieces of art. There is interesting art to enjoy all around the property, in the guest rooms, the dining area, the common rooms, and even alongside the trails.
The best amenity here are the on-site nature trails. Along the 1 mile Main Lodge trail, you can view public art works by local artists. You will also want to check out the One Million Bones exhibit. This exhibit is a statement against the genocides in the Darfur region of Sudan, South Sudan, Congo, Burma and Syria. This petition began in the National Mall in D.C. back in 2013. In 2018, the remaining bones from the D.C. installation were laid on the meadow at Bear Mountain. Today, you can view the exhibit and continue to advocate for these victims. The breakfast here is so much more than your traditional complementary offering. The Lodge will bring out a small side (fruit and yogurt during our visit) and a hot entree (Frittata and Waffle during our visit). You also get to enjoy complimentary coffee, juice, and tea. It is a very filling breakfast in a beautiful dining room, complemented with unique art in every direction. Coffee, tea, and cookies are also available throughout the day which is a nice perk. Another free perk which is great if you love to stargaze (and New Mexico with it's clear skies is a perfect pace to do so) is the complimentary use of free night binoculars! Definitely take the time out to enjoy the night skies in an area clear of light pollution.
Pricing varies based on type of lodging. The Main Lodge rooms average around ~$225, Myra's around ~$215, and the casitas around ~$300. Not a bad price to pay considering the beautiful surroundings, many amenities, peace and quiet, and access to natural attractions throughout New Mexico.
There are 12 rooms in the Main Lodge, 4 in Myra's Retreat, and 2 secluded casitas which feature 2 bedrooms and an enclosed backyard. All rooms feature unique artwork from the Blue Dome Art Gallery. We stayed in beautiful Myra's Retreat. The room was very clean, simple, and colorful. I love the eccentric art. I also appreciated not having a TV or quality internet access. As someone who works on the computer 50 hours a week, the forced break from any technology was a bonus! We had a small balcony seating area where we enjoyed coffee and birdwatching each day. I love New Mexico's dry climate: it is perfect for reading, birdwatching, or just relaxing with a good drink!
I recommend staying at Bear Mountain Lodge if you intend on visiting southern New Mexico to enjoy hikes in the GIla National Forest or other area attractions like the Cliff Dwellings or Catwalk. It is a beautiful base for any adventure and the quiet setting and natural surroundings definitely compliment an outdoor based vacation. Even if you are simply seeking a quiet staycation getaway, the amenities, beautiful ambiance, and lovely artwork warrant a visit to this Lodge. You really do not need to venture out as you get to enjoy a bit of everything here: good food, beautiful artwork, nature, and even hiking.
