Number of Rooms: 35

Location: The ranch land stretches over northeastern New Mexico and southern Colorado; Fly into Albuquerque, Denver, or Colorado Springs and drive between 3.5-4.5 hours onto the property (the “driveway” itself takes 45 minutes to traverse.)

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Less than 20 miles from the Colorado border in northern New Mexico, American conservation is being practiced on a vast scale at Vermejo Park Ranch, which sits on an expanse of wilderness almost the size of the state of Rhode Island (when the ranch is at full capacity, each guest can claim more than 8,000 acres for themselves.) Native bison and endangered indigenous cutthroat trout have been reintroduced to the landscape, and Casa Grande - a 25,000 square foot mansion that once hosted golden-age Hollywood royalty - has been loyally restored to its historic grandeur as well. Think of Vermejo as a personal national park, a perfect place to develop a deep appreciation for the scale, diversity, and downright majesty of the American Southwest.

What We Loved: To visit Vermejo is to be awed at the massive ongoing conservation efforts. We generally associate this type of focus on wildlife and endless horizons with safaris in southern or eastern Africa, but Vermejo is a profound reminder of the poetry to be found in the United States.

What We Didn’t Love: It’s distinctly not easy to get to Vermejo, and some of the rooms are so true to the property’s history as to feel a bit like a museum as opposed to a luxury lodge, but it’s all part of the charm.

Right For: Travelers looking for space, privacy, and quiet; star gazers, environmentalists, wildlife enthusiasts.

Wrong For: People who need to be plugged in all the time; those who prefer modern or minimalist décor.

Best Time to Visit: Vermejo is open year-round and you’ll never want for things to do, but since the highlight here is the great outdoors, visit May-September to maximize your time outside.

TLF Tip: Avid photographers may want to check out the property’s seasonal workshops, which are led by conservation photographer Sean Fitzgerland. Spring brings bison calves and carpets of wild flowers; in the fall, the elk dance and display dominance as the aspens turn red and gold.