Where to hold a small writer's retreat in the Southwest

December 12, 2007 8:43 AM

I'm looking for an out-of-the-way place in the U.S. Southwest to hold a small writers' retreat.

Four writer friends and I are starting to plan our second annual retreat for sometime in the Spring of next year, and I'm looking for something fairly specific, which is hard to google for.

Here's the info: the ideal place would be somewhere in the Southwest, ideally Texas, New Mexico or Colorado. It would be fairly secluded, would house five comfortably for a week, and would have all the amenities for cooking meals and such. It would also be picturesque, possibly even otherworldly. The one we did last year was held at Rudyard Kipling's house in Vermont, which was fantastic for a lot of reasons, mainly the history of the place, the natural beauty and the lack of distractions such as tv, radio, Internent and other human beings.

I'm primarily interested in personal recommendations from those who've stayed at such places. Recommendations from other parts of the U.S. are more than welcome.

posted by vraxoin to Travel & Transportation (8 answers total)

Ghost Ranch in New Mexico.

Just stop looking now -- it's one of the most beautiful places in the state and perfect for a writer's retreat.

http://www.ghostranch.org/

I spent several long weekends there when I was a kid and it's really spectacular. Quiet, wide open desert with towering sandstone buttresses and box canyons in easy walking distance. Really fantastic.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 9:28 AM on December 12, 2007

Didn't read your (more inside), but having now done that, Ghost Ranch fits your every criteria.

Okay, done with the commercial -- clearly, I've got fond memories of the place.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 9:32 AM on December 12, 2007

Glory, okay, last one -- it's the Abiquiu facilities that you'd probably want to look into. The Santa Fe facility is new since I've been there.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 9:33 AM on December 12, 2007

The Lonesome Dove Inn in Archer City, if you prefer Texas. It's where Larry McMurtry owns the largest used bookstore in the United States. It's the filming location for Last Picture Show and is both cheap and remote, while being physically close to the Texas/Oklahoma border. You can easily rent cabins out there, too, if you prefer, and go shooting... nice country.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 10:05 AM on December 12, 2007

I highly suggest you check out the Mabel Dodge Luhan House in Taos. It seems perfect for what you're looking for. As the home page states: 'Offering supportive solitude for creative reflection'. (They also offer fabulous huevos rancheros and french toast). This is a very special place with a lot of history.
I'd throw money down that you'd love it too, Pantengliopoli.
posted by artdrectr at 10:15 AM on December 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

Walter Jon Williams holds his workshop at Snow Bear Inn up in Taos, and has always had good things to say about them. Might be worth checking out.
posted by korej at 10:47 AM on December 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

Thanks artdrectr -- I'll put it on the "visit" list next time I'm in NM. My wife's never been and I've been wanting to head back there for a while.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 10:55 AM on December 12, 2007

You may want to check out facilities in Big Bend National Park in far west Texas. It's a really beautiful place and people travel from all over the world to visit the park.
posted by fructose at 12:09 PM on December 12, 2007