An hour from Aspen—but a world away from its moneyed mountain energy— Beyul Retreat begins where the pavement ends. As cell service fades and the road turns to dirt, red cliffs of the Elk Mountains rise, and the hum of modern life gives way to the rustle of aspen groves. Then, a hand-carved wooden sign appears: Beyul. Set on thirty-two acres in the heart of the White River National Forest, this tucked-away property feels more discovered than booked. Originally built in 1893 as a rustic hunting lodge known as Diamond J Ranch, it has been thoughtfully reimagined by Aspen locals Reuben Sadowsky and Abby Stern as a place for “intentional escape.” Named for the Tibetan word meaning “hidden lands,” Beyul blends backcountry solace with Burning Man-esque creative eccentricity and a quiet, magnetic soul that seems to rise from the rich soil beneath it.
The main lodge and fifteen private cabins are cozy without being precious, with thoughtful details—like foraged wildflowers—that root them firmly in the land. Mornings might bring crisp, dry air or a layer of dew, depending on the season—either way, the front porch is the perfect spot for coffee and quiet. In the afternoons, storms often gather over the mountains, casting dramatic light across the valley. When they do, that same porch becomes the place to sit with a blanket, a glass of whiskey, and a front-row seat to the show. At night, the cabins glow through the trees—spaced just far enough apart to feel private, but close enough to feel connected. The pace is unhurried. The distractions are few. And that’s the point.
There’s no cell signal, and WiFi is limited to the main lodge, where a crackling fire and a couple friendly dogs set the pace. Guests curl up with journals, flip through books, or trade stories with staff around the hearth. At Beyul, the line between host and visitor tends to blur. One night you might find yourself cooking with co-owner Abby; the next, joining the crew for a spontaneous cold plunge in the creek. While cabins have their own fully equipped kitchens, lodge guests gather around a communal outdoor grill to enjoy dinners that are more potluck than prix fixe.
Even rest has its rhythm here. A yoga tent, cedar sauna, hot tub, and cold plunge circuit offer a cycle of movement and stillness. Trails wind through the woods, past the lake with paddleboards and canoes, and through art installations that surprise and slow you down—like The Forest Spiral, a luminous sculpture made from 3,000 pieces of mining-era glass that catches the sun just so. “We didn’t build much,” Abby says. “We just opened paths to let people experience the land.” One of those, the Terroir Path, takes its name from the winemaking term for a place’s unique character—something Beyul embodies in every step.
This is the kind of place where people walk softly, speak quietly, and feel deeply. Whether you’re immersed in your wellness reset or just craving quiet, Beyul isn’t just far from it all—it’s close to what matters. A place that may be hard to find on a map, but easy to feel in your bones.
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