The Shanti Community in Madrid, New Mexico is a little under an hour from Santa Fe. Caroline and I recently went there to visit it while on assignment for Hipcamp and we had a blast. Come see what we experienced and if you like it, book it for yourself!
Here’s a recap of our visit to Shanti Community in Madrid, New Mexico:
“This site was easily one of the coolest, if not THE coolest hipcamp sites we’ve ever been to. Shanti community sits on ten acres of land just a few miles up the road from the little arts community of Madrid, New Mexico (and about a 50 minute drive from Santa Fe) and is home to two yurts, one of which Shelly, the host, lives in and the other of which is available for hipcampers. She’s also got three converted buses and a VW van.
If you’re thinking, is this for real, I know exactly how you feel. I had to pinch myself several times to confirm that yes, this place actually exists in the physical world and isn’t something I’ve dreamed up.
Not only are each of the buses and yurts equipped with a wood-burning stove but they each also had electricity, water and a solid two-burner stove with propane. Also on the premises was a composting toilet and a kitchen area where guests could prepare food. There’s also a great common area to build a bonfire and hang out with other guests (if you want.) If not, there’s enough space around your site to have privacy. The spaces in each were very clean as well. Needless to say the indoor amenities in each listing are excellent.
Immerse yourself in nature.
But if you’re like us, you’ll want to spend most of your time outside where you can have access to incredible 360 degree views of the mountains and the valley below. It’s super quiet out where Shelly lives and for the first time in my life I heard a bird flying. Sounds weird, but I actually heard it’s wings moving air as it flew above me. I also heard coyotes at night AND I got to meet a Dingo named Alice (Shelly has several dogs, all of which are super friendly and photogenic, too.)
Shelly, describes herself as an off-grid, high desert, yurt dwelling, artist, musician, traveller and lover of life! She’s all that and more. She’s friendly and warm and has a way of making you feel at home the moment you get there. If you’re looking for an escape from the rat race, want to bring someone special on a trip they’ll never forget or just want to have an adventure, this is the place for you.
Glamping at it’s best.
We stayed in the Dawn Till Dusk school bus which starred in a Quentin Tarantino movie of the same name. Besides the pop-culture cool factor, we also loved that the bed was very comfortable (it’s a real mattress and it’s new), we were super warm and there was a ton of space for us to spread out in (a big plus after being on the road for several days.) We woke up early and went for a trail run out behind Shelly’s property and it will be a run that we’ll never forget: windy single track through brush and bramble, over dry creek beds and in a space that felt as remote and wild as any we’ve ever experienced.
We absolutely loved this place and are excited to recommend it to anyone and everyone.”
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We passed through Madrid on our road this in the Fall. The area is beautiful.
Awesome! Did you also go to Santa Fe?
We didn’t. We were heading up to Denver.