Oscuro High Desert Ranch Hostel

I first stayed at this wonderful place in May of 1997, then Sept 97, and again in June 2000, and each time was better than the last. Most importantly, I made some great friends, many of whom I continue to see. And DIRK is the Oscuro hostel!!! What a great guy. I truly hope that this most memorable place does rise from the ashes, because there ain't no place like the Oscuro High Desert Ranch Hostel, and like a previous comment, it is an absolute MUST on any trip in the American Southwest.

I stayed at this marvelous hostel several times from 1994 -1998 and absolutely loved it. Dirk is wonderful and so easy-going. I'm extremely sad to hear about the fire and believe this place will rise like a phoenix from the ashes. Where can I make a donation?

I am really sad to hear about the fire. I hope the hostel is up and running again soon. I visited in 1999 and had a great stay with Dirk. It was wonderful to wake to the sun rising over the mountain desert. There was a great communal dinner, and a beautiful garden (yes, in the desert).

What an incredible place. I stopped by there in 2001. I will never forget jumping off the Greyhound at the old Oscuro sign pointing to the sky on the highway. The driver said "there ain't no stop at Oscuro"; at the sign he slammed on the breaks and chucked me and my bag into the road! The bus drove off and left me in a swirl of dust! I had a huge smile on my face. As the dust cleared the desert came into its own — the silent wind, full of the spirit of the desert. Teague Kit Molly greeted me at the hostel, and Dirk. This is a fantastic hostel, the BEST I have ever known. Now I see there is another place on this earth that has true SOUL. "There's guns across the river aimin' at you, lawmen on your trail they'd like to catch you, bounty hunters too they'd like to get you, Billy they don't like you to be so free."

I stayed here for a night and morning in January, 2004, on a cross-country trip to Key West, Florida. I loved the open space. I also loved the night sky out there. Dirk was cool, and the dogs were fun. I wish I could have stayed a few nights. But I'll be back some springtime. Sorry to hear about the fire.

We visited this hostel in 2001 on an 11,000-mile trip around the States. It was one of the highlights of that journey--a quiet place in the wilderness where coyotes roamed at night, and you felt you could touch the black velvet of the night sky. It is such a shame that it has burned down, but it remains etched in our memory.

I have had two visits to the Oscuro hostel and both were nowhere near long enough. Whenever I fly over from England the Oscuro Hostel is now a must for me. The manager Dirk has spent many an hour walking through the desert with me, explaining many things and pointing out things of interest. The hostel is friendly, extremely relaxed, and well run. Definitely a must for any tourist in the area, both for the atmosphere of the hostel and the friendly attitude of Dirk.

I spent 2 nights at the Oscuro Hostel -- I wish I could have stayed longer! Being from New England, I knew nothing about the desert. After my stay at Oscuro I learned to appreciate the unique beaty and solitude of this High Desert Hostel. The manager, Dirk, was hardworking, friendly, and knowledgable about the local flora and fauna. The hostel is located not far from such sights as the "Valley of Fires" and the "Three River Petroglyphs". I'm going back to the Oscuro Hostel again someday!!