In this episode of the Hostel Road Trip Podcast, we travel to the mountains of New Mexico to sit down with Stephanie, the founder of Cloudcroft Hostel — a rustic, community-driven mountain hostel perched at 6,700 feet in the heart of the Lincoln National Forest.

What started as a solo motorcycle adventure across America in 1994 turned into a lifelong dream. Stephanie bought a dilapidated building on a hillside and spent five years restoring it by hand before opening Cloudcroft Hostel in 2006. Today, it stands as a beloved basecamp for hikers, bikers, and adventure travelers seeking connection and authentic mountain hospitality.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• How a solo motorcycle trip across America sparked Stephanie’s dream of opening her own hostel
• The five-year journey of buying and restoring a rundown building by hand
• Why she chose the high mountains of New Mexico as the perfect location
• Creating a safe, welcoming space especially for solo travelers and women adventurers
• What it really takes to run a small, independent mountain hostel for nearly 20 years
• Lessons on community, perseverance, and building something that lasts

Located at 6,700 feet with 28 acres backing directly onto the national forest, Cloudcroft Hostel offers a true mountain escape — just minutes from hiking trails, scenic drives, and White Sands National Park. It’s the perfect basecamp for anyone seeking real connection and adventure in southern New Mexico.

This episode is perfect for:

• Aspiring hostel owners and future founders
• Travelers exploring New Mexico and the Southwest
• Solo travelers and women adventurers
• Anyone who loves mountain hospitality and authentic, owner-operated hostels
• People inspired by stories of perseverance and building a dream from the ground up

About Cloudcroft Hostel Cloudcroft Hostel is a rustic, intimate, owner-operated mountain hostel in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Designed for connection and adventure, it welcomes backpackers, hikers, and road-trippers looking for a genuine community experience in the heart of the Sacramento Mountains.

🔗 Learn more: https://cloudcrofthostel.com/

About Hostel Road Trip Podcast Hosted by Jimmy Black & Bobby Dyer of ITH Hostels, the Hostel Road Trip Podcast highlights inspiring hostels, passionate founders, and the communities shaping the modern hostel movement.

🌍 Explore more episodes: www.HostelRoadTrip.com